Lahaina has been the arts center of the Hawaiian islands for decades, with more art galleries in one square block than anywhere else in the archipelago. As a young artist going to the University of Hawaii at Manoa and trying to navigate the art world, showing my artwork in Lahaina seemed like a pipe dream. Lahaina is where the top artists show their work, and I still had a lot to learn. This is my experience as a young artist getting to show my work for the first time on the famous Front Street of Lahaina, Maui.
10 tips for using Posca Paint Pens
Pactimo + Welzie Collaboration Fundraiser for Maui Wild Fires
Welzie and Pactimo collaborate on a cycling jersey to help raise funds for the victims of the Maui Wild fires. This unique partnership has allowed both Welzie and Pactimo to do what they do best and bring what the people of Lahaina need most, money. In this fundraiser Pactimo will donate $60 from the sale of each jersey and $20 for every tee with 50% going to the Hawai'i Community Foundation's Maui Strong Fund & the remaining 50% to two local bike shops that were destroyed by the fire.
This project was great for Welzie to be able to work on a creative project that can reach people outside of the local Maui network.
“It was so amazing to be able to put my art to work and be able to raise much needed funds for our local community here on Maui” - Welzie
Here is the original artwork by Maui Artist Welzie
With the intensity of the aftermath of the Lahaina wild fires it was hard for Welzie to create so we decided to go with a design that would fit the situation at hand. Welzie’s Rainbow Shark piece really stood out as the best possible piece because it shows how different sharks can come together to create something beautiful. Which is what we are experiencing here on Maui. Everyone from all walks of life coming together to help those in need.
The Love Maui Love idea was inspired by Welzie feeling love from all over the world being sent to Maui and how Maui is experiencing a love sandwich. The overwhelming support from the global community shows how much Maui means too so many people around the world.
We’re so lucky to be apart of this collaboration that is raising money for the Maui Strong Foundation as well as directly supporting 2 of the local bike shops in Lahaina: West Maui Cycles, and Maui Sunriders. As a local Maui resident we know these shops have been supporting the local cycling community here on Maui for years. Although the bike shops in Lahaina are gone, the cycling community remains strong.
Maui has such a strong cycling community. Whether is riding in the Makawow forest preserve track, Downhill rides from the top of Haleakala, road biking in the year around perfect weather or taking your beach cruzer and surfboard down to the local surf break, Maui has everything a two wheeled enthusiast can enjoy.
Check out the conversation with Pactimo CEO and Maui artist Welzie, discussing the Collaboration project.
Fortunately for our Welzie Art team we all remained safe throughout the fires. There was a fire close to the art studio but luckily all we experienced was ash and soot. There is so much work that needs to be done to get families back to their Lahaina community and we hope that the proceeds from this fundraiser can help make that happen.
Welzie’s connection to cycling began growing up behind a bike shop in Santa Cruz California where him and his buddies lived on their bikes. Wether it was BMX jumping in the local dirt lot, Mountain Biking the Santa Cruz Mountains or using the beach cruzer to get to the surf before he could drive. Two wheel fun has always been a part of Welzie’s lifestyle.
One thing we have learned in this disaster is the outpouring of support for all the communities around the globe. It is a great reminder that there are people out there that share the same interest as you. Everyone has a community wether you realize it or not and its important to be a part of it. Its your community that will be there when you need it most. Thank you to Pactimo for initiating this fundraiser, gearjunkie.com and bicycling.com for sharing the fundraiser.
Wine and Welzie - Fun Art Night at the Welzie Art Gallery, Wailea Maui
2018 Pipeline Body Surf Championships - North Shore - Oahu, Hawaii
The 2018 Pipeline Body Surf Championships are put on by the North Shore Lifegaurd Association and provide an amazing event for all the Bodysurf enthusiasts. I have been honored again to make the trophies for the finalists, always true waterman who know how to ride the tube at the most deadly surf spot in the world.
I love Body Surfing. Having my art studio 20' from the sand at the beach where the world famous Banzai Pipeline is a dream come true. I have been able to score so many days of perfect barrels while I wait for paint to dry. Friends would stop by and within 1 min we would be getting tubed in the warm Hawaiian water. So making an awesome trophy is important to me.
Last year trophies were all original artwork, with the first place trophy being a 18x24 original resin art all framed up. With such an awesome trophy like that it was going to be hard to make something more fun.
I had been thinking about the idea since last year and I finally decided I would do while i was snowboarding and thing for a new fun side project. A fiberglassed fin would be the 2018 trophy. a Full fiberglass and resin sculpture fort the winner.
It took a while to make and it was so hard to sand but eventually I got it done.
After making some custom prints for 2-6 we decided the design was super cool and everyone should have a chance to take one of these home. We did a limited edition print run of 50.
Artist in Residence at the Andaz Resort
“Nalu Pua” Art Installation at the Andaz at Wailea, Maui
