Harbor Gallery in Kawaihae will host a reception with Kristi Kranz from 6 to 8 p.m. today.
Harbor Gallery in Kawaihae will host a reception with Kristi Kranz from 6 to 8 p.m. today.
Kranz has displayed her silk paintings at Harbor Gallery for more than 15 years, and has expanded her repertoire to include new and sometimes whimsical ceramic pieces, such as her “Facepots,” sake sets, cups and vases. She also decoupages her silk pieces onto bamboo vessels, ukulele and other items.
Kranz is a Hawi resident whose passion for painting is inspired by the natural beauty around her. Her wall hangings, framed paintings and shoji screens depict luminous visions of lush hideaways, waterfalls, lily ponds, flowers, hula dancers and playful honu as well as images of Pele and the spiritual side of Hawaiian culture.
“I have this space where I’m not looking for anything, just painting, where stuff slips down from the universe, through me and onto my silk, and it brings me the most joy I’ve ever felt. My sweet spot,” she said about her creations.
Kranz has produced a limited number of prints of a few of her images for clients. She feels that prints do not do the medium justice, however. There is texture to each piece and vibrancy that cannot be compared to a print on a flat surface. Each fiber adds brilliance to the work, which is permanently fixed into the silk material in a process that makes it colorfast, bonding the dyes into the silk fibers by steaming for hours at high temperatures.
Kranz welcomes special orders and commissions through Harbor Gallery.
Refreshments and light pupu will be served during the reception. The gallery is open from 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily.
For more information, call 882-1510, visit harborgallery.biz or email gunner@harborgallery.biz.