GALLERY

art

Corrine M. Gallardo says she loves to use vibrant color in her artwork. "Catwalk," by Corrine M. Gallardo.

Full of surprises

By Joleen Oshiro
joshiro@starbulletin.com

'Never say never," Corrine M. Gallardo advises. A lifelong lover of math and science, one whose sensibilities find comfort in order and organization, Gallardo is living proof of that adage. Six years ago, the unassuming state worker took an inspired, yet blind, creative leap into the world of art.

On her daily route to her downtown office, Gallardo passed The Palette, an art supply store on Bishop Street. One morning, she decided she wanted to paint. So she walked in.

"The shopkeeper recognized me. He said he had watched me walk by each day," she said. Feeling self-conscious, she "looked and looked at the brushes and paint. I didn't want him to know I knew nothing about painting, so I bought the most expensive paints and left."

"Save the Land" is among the paintings at her "Art and Poetry" exhibit at Pauahi Tower Gallery.

All's well that ends well: Three years into her artistic adventure, a restaurant owner saw her paintings and asked to exhibit them in his restaurant. Since then, through word of mouth, Gallardo has had several shows.

Her latest, titled "Art and Poetry," on exhibit at the Pauahi Tower Gallery, reveals the versatility of Gallardo's creative expression. The show includes poetry (Gallardo is a published poet), framed and hung on walls, as well as her newest interest: works built and adorned with hardware. Her decorative hardware handbags are especially popular with female visitors to her show.

"I go to Home Depot and Lowes so often," she laughs. "I used to just follow my husband around. Finally, I figured I could do something with all that stuff."

Keep an eye out for a functional handbag collection by Gallardo, a project she hopes to launch soon.

"Art and Poetry" runs through Sept. 2 at Pauahi Tower Gallery, on the second floor of Bishop Square, 1001 Bishop St.

Gallery hours are 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays to Fridays. Call 536-6838 for more information.

A piece from "Hardware: The Art of Handbags," a collection of decorative handbags. Gallardo says numerous requests for functional versions of the pieces have inspired her to consider creating a functional handbag line.

"In Bloom,"is a painting.

These pieces from "Hardware: The Art of Handbags"collection employ nuts and bolts, copper and stainless steel. Gallardo is also showing painted canvas handbags with the collection.