Soft French jazz flowing lazily throughout a small studio, the warm Hawaiian breeze gently pushing natural scents of native hibiscus and ohia in through open windows, and a calm, quiet ambiance, much like the feeling of the island itself, envelopes an ordinary looking building. Unlike the modern, sophisticated art galleries of New York or Paris, this shop is small and quaint, and one of many that line the coastal cliffs of the Big Island. Hues of yellow and powder blue on weather worn siding add an odd charm not commonly associated with the usual class of professional exhibits, but the complex glass work in the windows assures any skeptic that the artwork inside is just as beautiful.
It has become a tradition on these family vacations to find the hidden gems in small towns that offer a singular kind of souvenir. A long history of art enthusiasm creates a wide variety of taste between each family member, which leads to at least one day dedicated to walking from shop to shop, looking at pieces that are as simple and elegant as a self-portrait or as complex and edgy as a metal sculpture. Works from each vacation spot fill family homes, acting as constant reminders of breezy summer days and hours spent looking for unique trinkets in the nooks and crannies of world famous locations. This trip is no different, and after hours of looking through traditional Hawaiian galleries, this shop looks particularly promising.
An open door leads the way to polished wooden floors and cream walls filled with paintings and sculptures that are a colorful mix of traditional and modern style. A counter full of smaller trinkets, jewelry, and stationary is off to the side, offering entertainment for younger parties who are rather uninterested in analyzing large abstract portraits of Hawaiian Gods. Behind the counter sits a small old woman who offers a French greeting before giving an overview of her unique collection, allowing us access to every small room and closet that holds any sort of piece.
Each new turn offers a different theme, from strikingly realistic paintings of wildlife to hanging mobiles of jade, but nothing catches our eyes. That is, until one room in the back finally exhibits a set of work that is distinctly set apart from the rest. Different from all of the work in previous rooms hangs a six piece set of small portraits in sleek black frames, all arranged in a specific story line. Showing several significant historical events, painted in very traditional style, are not humans, but frogs. Coming in all varieties, dressed in both traditional Hawaiian clothing and sophisticated English suits, and performing a variety of different functions from dancing to signing the Treaty of Versailles are a set of amphibians that have an element of brilliant satire that only the keenest of eyes can pick up on.
Both comical and intriguing, the set shoots to the top of the list of pieces to buy, winning everyone's approval, whether they understand the deeper meanings or not. Capturing both a distinct sense of dry humor and bits of Hawaiian culture all in one group, the paintings fit the bill of the long list of family requirements for buying any professional art. The pieces are surprisingly accepted without the normal negotiation and are wrapped in brightly colored paper, with a side of chocolates offered as another thank you from the store owner. The usual calm silence of the gallery is broken for a momentary exclamation of joy from the woman, pleased that her work is appreciated enough to be bought so eagerly. With all the kindness and hospitality that the people on the Big Island embrace, she offers refreshments and information about other hidden treasures that Hawaii has to offer. Her brightness leaves us feeling lighter and rejuvenated, a refreshing change from most other vacation spots. Gliding along on a cloud of her positive energy, we step out into the sunshine, continuing on our way towards the next discovery, with our latest masterpiece in hand.
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