In classical Oriental painting, artists approach their work the way pianists in the West might approach the existing compositions of the great masters. Each new painting was a performance that the artist rehearsed for by practicing the performance of earlier painters. Contemporary artist Caroline Young took that wisdom to heart. Her delicate watercolors on silk pay homage to classical Chinese technique called the "delicate style," and the lessons she learned from her mentor, Lam Oi Char. Each is a virtuoso celebration. "Lam Oi Char changed my life. My mother had encouraged me to paint as a teenager in Hong Kong where I was born and raised. But it was not until I began studying watercolor with Lam Oi Char that I gained the confidence to succeed as an artist, "says Young. From her teacher Caroline Young learned the traditional forms of Chinese art and filled her silken rural landscapes. She chose as her medium Chinese watercolors, acrylic and gouache. Caroline mixes her own colors to achieve unique and vibrant tones, unavailable in commercially prepared paints. Caroline’s soft, lyrical brush work and graceful composition has earned her critical and popular acclaim. Although her Japanese themes brought her to fame, Young decided to return to Chinese historical subjects. "I wanted to pay homage to my great-grandparents, who immigrated to Hawaii from China, and to commemorate the bicentennial celebration of the first Chinese to arrive in Hawaii." "Art has given me a second chance to learn the essence of my own culture and to discover what it means to be Chinese. I will continue to paint Japanese subjects in the future because so many of my collectors enjoy them so much, and I enjoy doing them. But I will concentrate the main thrust of my artwork on Chinese subjects, such as "The immortal Twelve Suite." When I’m not painting I spend most of my time researching Chinese history, culture, costumes and ornamentation."
For as long as he can remember, Gary Hostallero has had an abiding fascination with samurai stories and legends. As a child he was struck by the heroism and valor they recounted. Later the entire bushido (the way of the warrior) and its philosophical depth became an intricate part of Hostallero’s own ideals. It is natural, then, that Hostallero’s artistic gifts should focus on martial arts whose liveswere the ultimate expression of discipline, courage and pursuit of perfection. In Hostallero’s own magnificent works, these principles are clearly apparent, revealing his quiet passion for creative precision, poetic technique, and majestic impact.
After serving in the U.S. Air Force in Vietnam, Hostallero lived in Japan for three years. He immediatly found himself attracted to the wisdom, spirit and aesthetics of the Orient. In the Japanese mind, the samurai code of dedication to duty was viewed as a guiding light, a way to live each day. He, too, began to walk the path that illuminated. The inner strength he had called upon to survive the Vietnam Tet offensive was channeled into a new personal confidence and commitment.
LEOHONE The paintings of Hawai'i artist Leohone Magno, hang in many countries throughout the world. While painting was her first love, music became equally important. Artist and musician, Leohone holds a Master of Arts degree from Norwich University in Vermont and a Fellowship degree in Organ Performance from Trinity College of Music, London, England. From 1982 onwards, she performed organ recitals extensively across Canada and the Western U.S. until she retired from the concert scene to Hawaii in 1989. Once settled, she inevitably found her way back to her first love and has answered her call to paint.
Leohone is the hanai daughter of Paulie Keakealani Jennings, Executive Producer of the World Invitational Hula Festival, E Ho'i Mai I Ka Pika Hula. She is presently the Organist/Choirmaster at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in downtown Honolulu and the Choral Director for the Prince Kuhio Hawaiian Civic Club Chorale. She paddles with Anuenue Canoe Club in Waikiki
