Artist Kyle Doepke said his move from Kansas City, Mo., to Kauai 14 years ago was a classic story of buying a one-way ticket and traveling with only a backpack and an itch for adventure. When he discovered an abandoned
Artist Kyle Doepke said his move from Kansas City, Mo., to Kauai 14 years ago was a classic story of buying a one-way ticket and traveling with only a backpack and an itch for adventure.
When he discovered an abandoned glass-blowing shop in a friend’s basement on the island, his passion for the art form was ignited.
“I learned the fundamentals of glass blowing from another glass blower,” Doepke said. “I fell in love with it.”
Soon after he began selling his work at the Hanalei Farmer’s Market in 2001. On average, his smaller pieces can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour to create. Others take weeks.
“The sheer beauty of the island gives you a lot to re-create,” Doepke said.
He was inspired by the ocean to create his popular trademark pieces – hollow glass waves that measure four inches by four inches and sell for $100 each.
“I make my pieces out of Pyrex glass in bold colors – teals and blues, greens and browns,” Doepke explained. “The attraction in my store is that people like to watch me making them.”
Doepke opened his Kapaa store after his pieces gained popularity when he was selling them at farmer’s markets.
His acrylic paintings of Hawaii landscapes – mostly ocean scenes – are offered at his store, The Glass Shack, too.
“I don’t paint from the beach here,” Doepke said. “I spend time with my kids in the ocean. But, I paint from photos. If I like a photographer’s work, I’ll utilize the skeleton to reference for a piece and change it up with various colors,” the artist said.
Doepke’s glass works and prints will be on exhibit this weekend at the Kauai Society of Arts space at the Kukui Grove Center. Titled, “Liquid Lines,” the exhibit will be open noon to 9 p.m. today and Saturday and from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free.
