FEATURED ARTIST
Ki'ikau Printers is a place for both established and emerging creatives! Working for and with the community has been a dream come true. Here we can feature different artists and their medium.
Most Recent Featured Artist: Emily Ogolsky Meng
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MEET THE ARTIST
Name: Emily Ogolsky Meng
Instagram handle: @Emily_Ogolsky_Meng_Studios
Artist Bio: I am a watercolor and colored pencil artist, inspired by a profound connection to the natural world. My work embodies themes of strength, resilience, and environmental protection with whimsical vibrant colors. Through my art, I hope to inspire a deeper appreciation for our planet and encourage efforts towards its protection.
How would you describe your art style: Whimsical, deep vibrant colors, free. I mostly work with unique colors and share a deep connection to the land and the protection of our earth.
Artist Journey: My journey began in childhood. Its always been in my heart and veins. Throughout my life, art was a constant, continuing to bring joy and excitement. I studied art and color in college and independently. I am a self taught colored pencil artist and learned the wonder of watercolor from an incredible artist named Lois Enman, painted for healing, painted for joy. I teach painting and drawing to middle school students as my day job. I have a passion for sharing the gift of painting/drawing and teaching about the protection of our land through art. Painting is a deep part of who I am.
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Name of featured print: Unexpected Love
Inspiration behind your featured print: When I walked among the O’hia Lehua of Big Island, I fell in love. My adult life has been deeply ensconced in resilience. When I met O’hia Lehua, I knew they were my kin, deeply connected to the resilience of the world. They stand tall or curl for protection in the face of whatever is thrown their way. They grow from the ashes and their intensity and passion for protection. Native trees and plants are a very important answer to the worldwide issue of climate change. Reforestation is the answer and the key to our survival. “Unexpected Love” is a call for action, for reforestation, for the protection and expansion of our native forests. If we can connect them, by planting natives in our landscapes, throughout our yards and homes, we can connect the natives to our natural forests, reforest the land that has been cleared and mitigate the invasives taking over. Lets work together and do this right.
What are your creative inspirations? The earth, trees, our oceans, the beautiful A’ina around us. The resilience of O’hia Lehua, movement of the oceans. Intense and beautiful colors that take my breath away.
April Featured Artist: Jorden Prussing
Jorden was born on O’ahu and has been drawing his whole life. He enjoys filling sketchbooks with pencil and ink drawings while also working digitally on his tablet. His work combines elements of fantasy and the beauty of Hawai’i into a unique style.
February Featured Artist: Kawehi Mahi-Roberts
A wahine, Kanaka Maoli with roots in both Hilo and Puna, on Moku O Keawe. Just a wahine wanting to tell the moʻolelo kahiko o Hawaiʻi through modern art.
December Featured Artist: Ewa Mosc
Originally from Warsaw, Poland, I spent my early years in France and studied art theory and art management in Paris. Before moving to Hawaii, I lived in New York for 11 years working in various roles in the art, photography, fashion and design industry. Driven by a desire to live closer to nature, I moved to Hawaii in 2019 and have been inspired by its lifestyle ever since.
November Featured Artist: Rani Leilani
Rani was born in Hawaii and grew up in Australia. Once she finished high school, she moved back to Hawaii for a few years before traveling to Utah where she received her BFA in Illustration at Utah Valley University. After graduating, she worked as an in-house illustrator and designer for companies like "American Crafts", "Polished Play" and "Cricut". Life events played out over the years that followed, prompting her to move back to Hawaii. Since moving back, she has been grateful for the chance to share her art in a bigger way, allowing her to connect with the community out here, both locals and visitors alike.
August Featured Artist: Danielle Villoria
Dani is an O'ahu-born illustrator with a love for all things botanical. After studying Fine Arts in Boston, she returned home to Hawaii. Now a wife and mama to four dino-loving girls, her inspiration is a constant parade of imaginative adventures. When she's not painting dinosaurs, you'll find her homeschooling and going holoholo with her 'ohana around their island home.
July Featured Artist: Sarah Farris
Sarah Farris is an artist deeply connected to her Hawaiian roots. She incorporates her cultural heritage into her work to honor and inspire others. Through her empathic approach to painting, she explores the intersection of science and spirituality, infusing her artwork with energy and capturing the essence of her emotional journey.
MAY FEATURED ARTIST: Racquel Araki
Born and raised in Waianae on the leeward side of Oahu, my 'Ohana is a huge part of my life. I’m blessed to be married to my best friend and expert fisherman. A young mom at 16, six amazing keiki later, and I wouldn't change a thing. Wild at heart, I love our island home, I paint it like I see it.
FEBRUARY FEATURED ARTIST: Stefani Truyol
Aloha, meet Stefani, our February featured artist and winner of the Year of the Rabbit Art Contest!
Stefani Truyol is an illustrator and watercolorist born and raised in Colombia, currently based in Honolulu.
Passionate about the natural world, she is dedicated to connect art and nature in her work. With her work she wants to increase interest and awareness for nature conservation as well as bring a sense of tranquility and happiness to the viewer.
She works both in traditional methods (watercolor, ink, acrylic, gouache, and charcoal) as well as digitally.
JANUARY FEATURED ARTIST: Esperance Rakotonirina
Aloha, meet Esperance, our first featured artist!