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Celebrating 30 Years in Business ~ 1992-2022

May/June 2022

Summer in Paradise

Blown Glass Honu (Sea Turtle) by Chris Upp

Click here to view more of Chris's work on mauihands.com

Read on to learn more about happenings on Maui, one new artist as well as a longtime favorite, and more!

Happenings on Maui

"The Ho'okele" (The Steersman) Original in Oil by Jeanne Bitz

Click here to view more of Jeanne's work on mauihands.com

Dat Outrigger Life: The Hawaiian Sailing Canoe Association (HSCA) is a non-profit whose mission is to learn, revive, educate, and practice those ancient Hawaiian skills and values as they relate to sailing canoes and the Hawaiian culture. HSCA's yearly racing series starts on the Big Island in May and ends on Kauai in September, stopping on Maui, Molokai, and Oahu along the way.

Annual World Whale Film Festival: Now in its sixth year, the World Whale Film Festival is presented by Pacific Whale Foundation on World Ocean Day, June 8, this year at the Ocean Vodka Organic Farm and Distillery in Kula. Films are showcased from around the world, raising awareness of environmental conservation and major threats impacting nature and humankind.

Kamehameha Day Holiday 150th Anniversary (1872-2022): On December 22, 1871, King Kamehameha V proclaimed a national holiday to honor and celebrate his grandfather, the father of the Hawaiian Kingdom. While the people of Hawai'i initially wanted to mark the legacy of Kamehameha V, he opted to honor his grandfather instead and pushed the holiday as far away from his birthday as possible, hence the arbitrary date of June 11. On Saturday, June 18, celebrations in Lahaina begin at 9 a.m. - for more information, visit the Hawai'i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts (SFCA) website.

A little about May & June

Ancient Emerald & Diamond Ring in 18K by Shakti Carola Navran

Tahitian Pearl Waterfall Necklace by Glorious Oceanic Creations

Exclusively at Maui Hands in Makawao ~ call (808) 572-2008
or email makawao@mauihands.com with inquiries
Birthstones are a popular and colorful introduction to the world of gems. Whether or not you believe the myths and legends surrounding the attributes that birthstones have, learning about them can be educational and entertaining.
  • May ~ Emerald: May's birthstone has captured hearts and minds throughout the ages, including royalty like Cleopatra. Legend has it that emerald has the power to make its wearer more intelligent and quick-witted, and it was once believed to cure diseases like cholera and malaria. Today, it's the gemstone given for the 20th and 35th wedding anniversaries.
     
  • June ~ Pearl: This enchanting June birthstone is a timeless wardrobe staple, beloved by all. Ancients from the Middle East believed that pearls were teardrops fallen from heaven, while the Chinese fancied that the June birthstone came from the brain of a dragon. Long associated with purity, humility, and innocence, pearls were traditionally given as a wedding gift.

Woodburning artistry with Michael Patrick Smith

Cook Pine Bowls with Pyrography by Michael Patrick Smith

Works available at Maui Hands in Makawao and Pa'ia

Take a trip down creativity lane with Michael Patrick Smith, a recent addition to Maui Hands' ever-growing roster of incredible artists.

"...Some people may refer to my work as a bowl, vase, or vessel with some embellishment. For me it is all about the pyrography. Turning wood requires a studio with a lathe, and other equipment; acquiring the wood, learning to understand the wood, and gaining the skill to execute a turned piece. However, the burning work is by far the major bulk of the time I invest in creating my finished pieces. I sometimes venture out and create sculpted work, but I always come back to turning with pyrography as my focus. I consider myself a pyrographer much more than I do a craftsman wood turner.

"My process starts by using a soft lead pencil to layout the basic design. I then use the burning pens to cut and texture the wood. There is no room for mistakes. A dropped burning pen or a momentary lack of concentration would render the piece unusable, as there is no way to erase or paint over it. It is a slow-moving process, requiring deep concentration and a meditative focus of texturing the wood. It may require days of burning to complete one piece. I prefer to use designs that can be recognized when seen from across a large room...

"From time to time, I think about what I am doing; not specifically pyrography or sculpture, but about making something that people will look at and hopefully appreciate. We artists and craftspeople are a continuum of what humans have done for many thousands of years. Our mindsets and reasons might be different today, but the essence of the creative force is very much the same..."

The whimsical world of Steven Lee Smeltzer

Dragon Sculpture by Steven Smeltzer, Personal Collection of Maui Hands Owner Panna Cappelli

Click here to view more of Steven's work on mauihands.com

Steven has often said that he finds himself entangled in a web of nonsense… And he loves it. Inspired by everything and everyone, his creations come to life in his mind, then take shape from a mound of clay with the innate skill of a true artisan.

The story goes a little something like this: While pondering a way to support his surfer lifestyle back in the 1970s, Steven decided to hike through Haleakalā to clear his mind. He came upon a lava tube and swore he heard his name called from it so he ventured in, but halfway through his flashlight batteries burned out and there he stood in the pitch-black environment. He tried to continue walking but it was too dark, so with a bit of anxiety he sat down and began to chant, "OM... I don’t want to be here, OM... May someone find me..." And they did! Though they weren’t in human form, these friendly, odd beings guided him out of the tube and to his new career of ceramic artist.

The fact is in his last year of college Steven took his one and only art class and was hooked. He knew exactly what he wanted to do for a living. Each sculpture reflects Steven’s desire to bring a sense of lightheartedness to all that are willing to indulge in imaginative and fanciful art. 

As one of the more popular items at Maui Hands, at any one time you can find hundreds of Steven's fantastical sculptures spread across all four gallery locations. His works can be found in the homes of collectors all over the world. 

Plan your visit to Maui Hands

"South Maui Sunset" Original in Oil on Canvas by Steve Rinaldi

Click here to view more of Steve's work on mauihands.com

Whether you're planning your trip to Maui and want to meet your favorite artist or are just looking for inspiration, we're here to help. Our ongoing Artist-In-Residence program provides regular opportunities to converse with some of the talented folks Maui Hands represents. 

Click here to view our AIR schedule for May and June at mauihands.com, as well as links to individual artists' pages and works available online. As featured artists, dates, and locations are subject to change, to confirm an AIR event you'd like to attend please call the associated gallery.

LAHAINA
612 Front Street, Suite D, Lahaina
Phone: (808) 667-9898
HOURS: Monday-Sunday, 10AM-6PM
  • Cecilia Bahena, Collage Painting ~ Saturdays, May 7 / 21, 11AM-2PM
  • Amanda Scott, Oil Painting ~ Saturdays, June 17 / 24, 11AM-2PM
MAKAWAO
1169 Makawao Avenue, Makawao
Phone: (808) 572-2008
HOURS: Monday-Saturday, 10AM-5PM and Sunday, 11AM-4PM
  • Maho Shaw, Wood and Shell Inlay ~ Saturday, May 7, 11am-2pm
  • John Ensign, Acrylic Painting ~ Thursday, May 12, 11am-2pm
  • Bindi, Collage Painting ~ Monday, May 16, 11am-2pm
PA'IA
84 Hana Highway, Pa’ia
Phone: (808) 579-9245
HOURS: Monday-Sunday, 10AM-6PM
  • Amy Tessier, Oil Painting ~ Tuesdays, May 10 / 17, 11AM-3PM
  • John Ensign, Acrylic Painting ~ Thursdays, May 19 / 26, 10:45AM-2PM

WAILEA
The Shops at Wailea: 3750 Wailea Alanui Drive, Suite A-17, Kihei
Phone: (808) 667-7997
HOURS: Monday-Sunday, 10AM-8PM
  • Steve Rinaldi, Oil Painting ~ Wednesdays, June 1 / 8 / 15 / 22 / 29, 12-2PM

Share the aloha

"Take Out, To Go" Original in Oil by Avi Kiriaty
Sea Platter by Lee Oululani Plevney
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