PO‘IPU — Even though Cher McMacken has lived on Kaua‘i for years, the sweeping, tropical view from the Hanalei Valley overlook still takes her breath away. Those familiar with the North Shore backdrop know of its beauty: Waterfalls tumbling down
PO‘IPU — Even though Cher McMacken has lived on Kaua‘i for years, the sweeping, tropical view from the Hanalei Valley overlook still takes her breath away.
Those familiar with the North Shore backdrop know of its beauty: Waterfalls tumbling down a lush mountain landscape to a patchwork of taro fields below.
“I came to Kaua‘i about six or seven years ago, and like all the other tourists that come here, you look at the Hanalei overlook and you just gasp,” McMacken said standing in front of her oil painting titled “Taro Bright.”
“Taro Bright” is a large oil painting inspired by the taro fields of Hanalei. The electrifying mix of green and blue make the leaves pop out of the canvas
The painting is one of about a dozen new paintings shown as part of “Vivid Kaua‘i” at Halele‘a: the art of Hawaiian living located at Kukui‘ula Shopping Village in Po‘ipu.
Moving from the Pacific Northwest to Kaua‘i three years ago, McMacken still looks at the island’s beauty as if she is seeing it for the very first time.
She finds beauty in a hibiscus in full bloom, a ginger basking in the morning sunlight or the dramatic red dirt which she says is like “heaven.”
“What I do when I paint is try to visually say what the feeling was when I first saw it,” she said. “This place is like no other, and I have lived in seven different countries. I know you can get used to seeing things. At first they are different and exciting, and then they’re just familiar, then they go to mundane.”
McMacken discovered her passion for painting at the age of 14 when she learned her neighbor offered lessons. McMacken received formal training while living in Melbourne, Australia before teaching art in Seattle, Wash.
McMacken is an accomplished muralist. Her mural depicting the Lawa‘i River as seen from the McBryde Garden can be seen at Kukui‘ula Realty Sales and Information.
“This part of my journey is new,” she said about downsizing her work for the gallery. “Also the tropical paintings — the color, the intensity — this is new.”
Throughout the interview, McMacken credited gallery owners Anna Ulmer and Chelsae Millard for providing a space to display her work.
“Anna and Chelsae provide a space for larger, bigger and dynamic pieces,” McMacken explained. “It’s hard to find places for Kaua‘i artists to show. I want to give them credit for being brave. It’s risky to do that.”
“Vivid Kaua‘i” is on display through March 3 at Halele‘a: the art of Hawaiian Living. The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. For more information, visit haleleagallery.com or call 742-9525.
• Andrea Frainier, lifestyle writer, can be reached at 245-3681, ext. 257 or afrainier@thegardenisland.com.
