Pagoda House

This is the cover of the magazine insert. The rest of the article (8 pages) are in an album here:

http://picasaweb.google.com/home

One of my favorite houses that I designed and built more then a decade ago. The client had an original concept - a pagoda to take advantage of the view from upper Capt. Cook and because he just liked the shape of it - and then pretty much stepped aside and let me design what I thought it should be. He was kind of like a recluse and invited no one over and let the trees hide it from view - and hide some of my best work! Recently it was purchased by some people who liked people and it came to the attention of West Hawaii Today. The Mystery House - funny. The structural requirements were elegantly met. With each floor getting smaller then the floor below it, it was necessary to add a series of heavy wood, naturally finished trusses that supported each other and the floors above by using outside bearing walls and a fabricated spaced column in the middle of the floor made out of (4) spaced 6x6's.

Nice to see it in the open and thanks West Hawaii Today for the recognition.

WHT article - Captain Cook Mystery House

Intriguing title, no? A house I designed a few years ago was featured in the at home section of West Hawaii Today on Sunday - if you didn't get it - go out right now and buy it. Ok - or you could wait and I'll have it scanned and posted here. It's not often that you get a client that has an idea and lets you run with it - this was one of them - the Pagoda House. Coming soon, right here.

richard

Carpe Diem

Loosely translated, “seize the day”, coined by Virgil and popularized by the film Dead Poets Society with Robin Williams.

Eat the essence of the scene, digest it, and regurgitate it on the canvas. Get the essence of the thing down before/as it changes - hand only serving to keep the brush from falling onto the sand – moving quickly, not hurredly, from palette to canvas to palette and back again in a steady rhythm – using all of the skills and techniques learned after hours and hours of painting, but without thought – count your strokes if you have to, to keep that rational part of you busy while the intuitive part holds sway over the creation of something – no thought, just do. Finishing when there’s nothing left to do and not a moment too soon or longer –

no, “I’ll finish that when I get home”

or, “I need to fix this part here”

it’s done when it’s done. Having played a song – it’s gone and there’s no going back to fiddle with it – next time, next time you’ll remember and somehow do it differently – let the subconscious decide.

Then sit back discuss, laugh, have something to eat and drink with friends. To me, that’s the essence of Plein Air Alla Prima painting.

It’s not that I do what I preach – yet – but I have an ideal.

Carpe Diem, guys, seize the day!

richard

Painting Out There & West Hawaii Plein Air Painters

Photos of both paint-outs have been posted here:

http://picasaweb.google.com/home

see previous post West Hawaii Plein Air Painters Schedule below for this month's session locations.

Pu'uopelu Show

A group of artists from West Hawaii Plein Air Painters returns
to Parker Ranch Historic Homes’ Puuopelu Gallery in April.
The public is invited to meet the artists during a free opening
reception with refreshments on Saturday, April 4 from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m.
Gallery hours are 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
The group has displayed previously at Puuopelu Gallery, always to rave reviews.

Four artists are participating in the April show; Barbara Clay,
Alice Hughes, Ria Kennedy, and Irina Place.
Their art, painted during weekly outings, spans many subjects,
mediums and painting styles. Gallery-goers will find everything
from impressionistic and classically done oils to acrylics and
watercolors. Subject matter ranges from studio painted portraits
and still lifes to scenes around Waimea and areas along the West
Hawaii coastline. Many of the artists have varied and unique styles
that truly make this an exciting show to view. All of the works in the
show are available for sale.