An exhibition of original paintings of “Asian Inspired Art and Visions of Hawaii” by Hawaii Island artists Marcia Wishnick and Merna Watta will be on display at the Firehouse Gallery in Waimea from Wednesday through Aug. 30.
An exhibition of original paintings of “Asian Inspired Art and Visions of Hawaii” by Hawaii Island artists Marcia Wishnick and Merna Watta will be on display at the Firehouse Gallery in Waimea from Wednesday through Aug. 30.
Paintings, prints and cards will be available for sale. The show blends Asian influences with the beauty of Hawaii expressed in vibrant colors on canvas using oil and acrylics to bring images to life. Water, earth, flowers, Hawaiian cultural themes, Asian scrolls and woodblocks are inspirations for the original paintings that the artists, Wishnick and Watta, bring to the gallery for participant’s enjoyment and all will be available for purchase.
An artists’ reception will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Aug. 10 at Firehouse Gallery. Wine and pupu will be served and attendees will have opportunity to meet the artists.
Wishnick moved to Hawaii with her husband in 2003 from New York City. Her life as a physician left no time for creative artistic pleasures. She began painting in oil six years ago and has discovered joy in bringing beautiful images to life on a blank canvas. She continues to expand her interests to include Asian-influenced art, Hawaiian flowers and human anatomy with a humorous slant. Many of her Asian-inspired pieces are based on historical drawings brought back from China and Japan by her daughter who travels frequently to Asia.
Wishnick has been a long-time member of the Waimea Arts Council and displays her art in its Firehouse Gallery. She has been the recipient of awards from the juried Helen Cassidy Art Show and the juried Kahilu Theatre Art Show.
Watta moved to Hawaii in 1993 from San Antonio. She had a long career in the art world, garnering many honors and awards for her original artwork, and recognized with feature stories about her artwork in the local press. Since coming to Hawaii, she has been inspired anew by the colors and scenery around her and the cultural events to capture with her paintbrush.
She said, “I am inspired once again to share God’s beautiful world through my paintbrush. I have chosen as my Hawaiian name ‘Ululani,’ which means heavenly inspiration.”
Her paintings are created in the acrylic medium or colored pencil, and include scenery, florals and Hawaiian themes. She is a long-time member of the Waimea Arts Council and exhibits her work in its Firehouse Gallery, as well as in other venues around the island.
The Firehouse Gallery is on the corner of Mamalahoa Highway and Lindsey Road in Waimea at 67-1201 Mamalahoa Highway. The gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and Sunday, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Call 887-1052 for more information or visit waimeaartscouncil.org.