Kovala ‘rocks and rolls’ at Kauai Museum

LIHUE — Kathy Kovala has only two more weeks before she leaves on March 31.

“I’ll be at the Smith’s Tropical Paradise for the next two Wednesdays, painting and teaching from 9 a.m. to noon,” Kovala, an 18-year visitor to Kauai, said. “I first started coming here as a regular vacation visitor, staying for a couple of days, up to about a week.”

But more and more people wanted to learn how to paint, and after a while, her visits became longer and longer, said Kovala, who was leading a watercolor class at the Kauai Museum.

Kovala was wrapping up a three-day Painting the Culture class where students were inspired by old photographs from the archives and books at the Kauai Museum.

“I like to take the old pictures and make them into color,” said Kovala. “I have a collection of old photos and pictures from which to draw the colors from.”

Lani Kaui, marketing director of the Kauai Museum, said having Kovala’s class ties in with the museum’s mission of educating while providing an opportunity for artists to exhibit their creations which may be the artifacts of tomorrow.

For the Painting with Culture classes which included membership to the Kauai Museum, Kaui said there were at least 10 students who started on Monday and wrapped up Wednesday.

“I’m only a beginner,” said Elvie Bradberg of Kamamalu, Lihue, who was finishing off her piece inspired by taro fields in Hanalei. “Kathy only comes here three months a year so I’m glad I have an opportunity to work with her.”

Using techniques of watercolor, the students rendered their interpretations of a common project.

“Each one is different,” Bradberg said. “As you work with the project, everyone’s own style comes out.”

Kovala said watercolor is a good medium, discussing underpainting and wash techniques.

“This is rock and roll painting,” Kovala said. “This is the only medium which does this.”

• Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.