Relay For Life

April is one of THE most important months in my year. The other months are the months each of my sons were birthed. But APRIL is the month, that great challenges and changes seem to occur throughout my life.

It was the month , TEN years ago, that I finally made my life-long-dream move to beautiful Kaua'i. Achieving this move to the heart of the Pacific Ocean changed my location and fulfilled a dream. Moving here increased the nature of my health and my well being, as well became an incredible inspiration for my artwork.

April 1986 was the month and year I had first been diagnosed with cervical cancer. I was only 36 years old and in the midst of a cumbersome divorce from my love of my life!

So every April since my move to this welcoming island I RELAY !

RELAY here on Kaua'i is a celebration of life for 12 consecutive hours. We begin at 6pm and relaying all through the night, until 6am. There are great festivities with music, great local food , education , and support. The Luminaria ceremony is very moving and emotional.

If you click on the link RELAY for LIFE 2010 you may make a donation for my support or to purchase a Luminaria in memory or support for a loved one in your family who has been touched with the battle of cancer.

♥Mahalo nui loa for all the prayers, HOPE, donations and the fantastic support and love for Relay 2010 and for all the years past!

Misty New Day

Fresh and new day
a misty rain gently falls.
Inspiration from a calmer sea
and the colors of the morning awakening!

This painting is an oil pastel on sanded paper painted Plein aire

Crashes and stuff like that...

"White Orchids in Purple" Acrylic on Canvas

I have been away from posting and blogging as I had a major computer crash and then my computer died. I have since purchased a new system and plan to be back on a regular basis posting new artwork and stories of this island.

I have learned to do my backup faithfully and have been enjoying going back through years of files. Although this does take much time there have been some wonderful moments of re-discovery.

"Jayme Sun" oil pastel on sanded paper

I am working on a new painting for my son's 40th Birthday that will be March 26th. "Jayme Sun" is a painting I did for him on his 38th Birthday. I will post photos of the progress soon.

May this day and each day forward bring to you and yours pure aloha!

I'd Rather Be In Hawaii

I am being featured in this wonderful idea by Felicia Kramer on her blog:

I'd Rather Be In Hawaii

Felicia through the years has tried many times to get to visit Hawaii and for one reason or another has not yet visited. She had a bright idea to feature five artist who are living and creating in the islands. She also has provided a wonderful give-away for all who visit with a comment on any of the interviews.

Enjoy the adventure and visit to the islands!

♥♥Kookie and I wish you Hau'oli makahiki hou!!! ♥♥

As 2009 comes to a close I find myself, as many might reflecting on this last decade. The most significant change during my personal past decade was after yearning to live in the islands most of my memories (since I was 8 years old). I finally gave away or sold most all possessions and moved to the island of Kauai to live the rest of my life! I had visited early 2000 and completed my move on Easter 2000.

These past ten years I found myself referring to this as my own personal resurrection. Living on this island during the past ten years have taught me the pure aloha nui loa(very much love) and malama pono(take good care) that Kaua'i offers.

This is truly a Paradise in the Heart of the Pacific Ocean! I endured many trials and tribulations regarding my health as well as others well being that are dear to my heart, but felt a community filled with aloha come to comfort and support in times of need and sorrow, comfort and much joy. Mahalo nui loa to all my ohana and friends who are a part of my life.

Kookie came into my life almost three years ago when I rescued him from the Human Society Shelter. He is my best buddy and a good companion. He has learned to walk on a halter and leash so he can go for adventures outside. This morning we went to the beach. He was so curious at that big water but didn't manage to leave the car. Maybe next trip. He also wants you all to know this is a non-alcohol year for him and celebrates only with non-alcoholic bubbly!

It is wonderful to enter into yet another decade. I am very grateful to my Creator! Twenty-Ten marks my SIXTH decade on this earth! January 9th I will celebrate my BIG 60 Birthday! I am very excited to see just where all the lessons will guide me for this next decade to come!

♥♥Kookie and I wish you all peace, good health and plenty aloha shared with much laughter and joy!!♥♥

♥Mele Kalikimaka♥

NTGB and WAK Winter Fine Art Festival

National Tropical Botanical Garden and Women Artists of Kauai Winter Fine Art Festival, Saturday, December 19, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Southshore Visitors Center Meadow

Visit the Gardens during December’s ‘Ohana Day and be treated to a unique display and sale of one of a kind, gallery quality art pieces, reproductions, gift items and ornaments created by some of Kauai’s most talented fine artists. A portion of the proceeds from this event will benefit NTBG.

This fun, family event will also feature live music by guitarist, Dr. Matthew Miller, harpist, Anela, and blues musician, Blue Dux. Savage Shrimp and Pohaku Shave Ice will be selling their tasty treats, and NTBG’s volunteer craft group, Oshibana, will be offering their hand-crafted products for purchase.

A Toys for Tots drop off box, provided by the Women Artists of Kauai, will be available under the tents. Bring a brand new, unwrapped toy, and the first twenty donations will receive a special “Holiday Mahalo Gift” from the artists.

Participating artists include Helen Turner, Rocky Riedel, Dava Shepherd, Aweepano Vivian Satow, Robin McCoy, Marionette, Anna Skaradzinska, Schar Freeman, Emily Miller, Lilian de Mello, Patrice Pendarvis, Jana Viles, and Leslie Tribolet.

Admission to the event is free. Please park in the Visitors Center parking lot. The festival will be located on the front lawn immediately to the left (west) of the main entrance gate. NTBG’s Southshore Visitors Center is located across from Spouting Horn in Poipu, at 4425 Lawai Road .

For more information contact Marionette of the Women Artists of Kauai at (808)631-9173 the National Tropical Botanical Garden Shouthshore Visitors Center at (808)742-2433. Visit their websites www.womenartistsofkauai.org and www.ntbg.org .

Women Artists of Kauai Holiday Fine Art Festival

Women Artists of Kauai Holiday Fine Art Festival and Fundraiser, Saturday, November 28, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hanapepe United Church of Christ

Celebrate the beginning of the holiday season with a Fine Art Festival and Fundraiser for Nana's House featuring the Women Artists of Kauai. Highlights of the festival include live Hawaiian style music by Kenny Kealoulu Keliihoomalu, painting demonstrations, one-of-a-kind pieces of art, reproductions, gift items, and ornaments. A portion of the proceeds will go directly to Nana's House which is a family support center provided by Child and Family Service, serving West Kauai.

Participating artists include Robin McCoy, Rocky Riedel, Aweepano Vivian Satow, Dava Shepherd, Anna Skaradzinska, Helen Turner, Jana Viles, Schar Freeman, Marionette, Lilian deMello,and Leslie Tribolet. Gallery quality work will be available for sale in a variety of styles and mediums including paintings, photography, jewelry, glass, clay, mixed media and more. Face Painting by Aunty Stephanie will be offered as well

Admission to this fun, family event is free. The festival will be located at the Hanapepe United Church of Christ Fellowship Hall which is right next to the Hanapepe library and across the main highway from the Hanapepe fire station.

For more information contact Marionette at 808.631.9173 or visit the Women Artists of Kauai website.

TWO For One SALE !!

Featured at my ScharArt Etsy shop is this sale which begins November 19th, 2009* and will continue through November 30th, 2009.

These little mini note pads make a great nifty-gifty addition to any gift event. OR just by themselves for a small gift to a favorite teacher, bank teller, doctor, secretary, minister, clerk, friend or family member.

I take great care in printing these mini reproductions of the paintings I have done in the last 25 years of my painting life. They are all printed with vivera inks on HP Professional Photo Paper, added to Acid Free Card stock colored paper.

Reusable note pads when one is used up just add another 100 page Post-it pad and continue enjoying a lil piece of Scharart!

Feral Kitties of Kaua'i

"Makana and Buddie" © Schar 2009

Feral cats are the 'wild' offspring of domestic cats and are primarily the result of pet owners' abandonment or failure to spay and neuter their animals, allowing them to breed uncontrolled. They are elusive and generally do not trust humans.

On Kaua'i there are thousands of feral cats. They congregate in various bushes and under trees around beach parks, hidden from most people who drive, walk or ride by.

There are many people who bring food and water to many of the colonies around this island. I tend to a colony of about 20-30 cats around the Salt Pond Park. I have been bringing food, water and love for many years. There are about four of us who care for this colony, taking shifts and making sure that these cats are fed, loved, given medical attention when necessary and neutered if needed.

This painting "Makana and Buddie" is one of my most recent watercolors that I dedicate to two of my most favorite kittie buddies. Makana is the golden one and he was around for about five years. He could not be captured to be neutered as he was so fearful of humans. Every now and then he would trust me enough to come in for a petting or a rub. He would get injured and go off to heal. Many times I would not see him for 3-4 weeks at a time and just about the time I thought he had finally gone off to die, Makana would show up, very skinny and hungry.

Makana has been gone now for over two months and this time it would be a miracle if he were to show up again. Makana in Hawaiian means the gift. Indeed he was a gift for me as I learned much about faith and hope because of him.

Buddie is one of the oldest fellas in this colony. He is very friendly and always there at feeding time but seems more interested in getting love from my strokes to his fur and my cooing voice of assurance.

I will be offering small 5" x 7" prints of this painting with all proceeds to go into a fund for these kitties food and care. If interested please leave your contact info in a comment and I will send along an announcement when the prints will be available at my Etsy shop.

Off the Grid ....A Summer Adventure

Summertime is one of my most favorite times on this island of Kaua'i. To spend a day with good friends and taking in the magnificent scenery that most folks never get the opportunity to experience is ono good!

On this day we went to a large ranch that had cattle and horses among a bounty of trees filled with fruit and flowers.
At one point the truck was completely surrounded with cattle. There was this one young bull and a huge adult bull who was as big as the truck.My favorite time was the time I spent with the horses. Mahina and Hoku were as glad to see me as I was to visit with them.

Mahina and Hoku with me

There were so many flowers growing all over and in full bloom. My friend, Frankie at one time took care of all these flowers and fruit trees.

Frankie, MR Green Fingers

There was this wonderful Kala, Taro patch in the middle of the ranch.

As we were leaving the ranch there was this wonderful scene of one lone cow, two mama mares with their new foals and two Nene geese looking out from the tall grass reminding all of us just how blessed we are to live on Kaua'i!

Mahalo's to Nelson, Carol, and my dear friend Frankie for one of the best adventures experienced this summer!

Reuse and Recycle with Artsy Post-it Notes

Artsy reusable notebooks

A few days ago while cleaning and organizing around the studio I came across photo prints of some older paintings. These were small, like about 2-3 inches squared. I thought up this use for them with the making of these handy little post-it notebooks that will add color and a flair to any work space, office or home.

Handmade with sturdy Acid Free card stock paper and recycled post-it note pads. The art print is printed on Professional photo paper. Comes in a cellophane envelope. These are compact and easy to use and reuse. Just double stick tape down another pack of sticky note when you have used up these. They make a wonderful addition to any gift giving events.

You can find these newest additions exclusively at my Etsy shop

The Other Side of Kong Mountain

"On the Other Side" © schar 2009

"On the Other Side" of the island, from where I live, there is this mountain many refer to as Kong Mountain. It is because, when viewed from the other side, Anahola side, of this view I have painted, the profile of the mountain side resembles that of the great monster Hollywood created, King Kong. The actual name is Kalalea Mountain.

Traveling the road behind Makana it quickly turns into a rough cane road. There is an old Buddhist Cemetery that sits at the base of this ridge. As my friend and I traveled on this backroad to the North side of the island from the west side I was reminded of the incredible beauty and bountiful colors of green.

Much of this landscape I took an artistic license and added the horse and tree line. It is to make of a more interesting landscape of the two things I hold dear to me; horses and the green green mountains of this island of Kaua'i.

This painting is available for purchase at my Etsy shop.

Gone TO The Beach!!!

"Two Birds One Palm" © schar 2009

Hard to imagine that life can get so busy and an amazing amount of time rushes by. I apologize to all my followers for not blogging for over a month.

I have been completing and beginning many paintings. These are two of my latest ACEO watercolor favorites to share. I have just listed the originals at my Etsy Store.

"Two Bird Island"

You can also consider them in a larger format giclee at my FineArtAmerica Gallery

Finding inspiration by going to the beach almost everyday is a blessing indeed!

Mud Wahine and Other Creatures of Kauai

"Mud Wahine" © schar 2009

Traveling to the west on the island of Kaua'i , there is a special place at Salt Pond's Park. Visitors from around the world have discovered the healing properties of this very special salty mud. Early in the morning, at very low tide, you might find that special patch of Grey-green mud or discover your own Mud Wahine of the west.

"Moa Gathering" © schar 2009

One of the most popular creatures of Kaua'i are our jungle fowl. They are everywhere you look. They crow whenever they choose and they eat many of the destructive insects that would eventually eat our island away, like termites, cockroaches and most troubling ANTS. There is absolutely no predator for the jungle fowl of Kaua'i. There are no snakes or mongoose on this island either. Most everyone living on the island relish these fowls as we know they benefit our environment.

Sleeping Hawaiian Monk Seal © schar 2009

One of the most endangered ocean mammal of the world lives on our Hawaiian Islands. It is the beautiful Hawaiian Monk Seal. Some estimates are barely 1,000 of them are left. Hawaiian Monk Seals haul out of the ocean to sleep on our beaches. Many beaches will have them roped off with signs and yellow rope in a protected area. If not disturbed they will sleep for 12 hours. It is very important when visiting our island to be most aware while in the ocean as well as walking on the beach. Most times a shinny wet monk seal resembles the boulders and rocks it will haul out to. NEVER approach a Hawaiian Monk Seal on the beach or in the water.

Hawaiian State Bird the Nene © schar 2009

The Nene are magnificent birds and can be found mostly in the mountains of Kokee. These are also protected and should not be disturbed. One of the best places to see them is up at the Kokee Museum early in the morning when they feed in the meadows there.

"Tethered Horse" © schar 2009

Another creature common to this island is the horse. On this island many people tether their horses along the side of the road and in fields without fencing. This is a common practice especially on the west side of the island. They are cared for and not neglected, so when you come across one do not be too concerned as they are use to spending their life like this.