LOCAL COLOR

"Honolulu Hot Dogs" enjoy the pleasures of surf and sun, thanks to Maui artist Mary Faustine.

Hawaii Doggie art has
pups in paradise

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By Nancy Arcayna
narcayna@starbulletin.com

Surfing canines, hula cats and dogs, and beach bum-like pets are a few of the images that will line the "art wall" at Hawaii Doggie Bakery's new location in Pearlridge Shopping Center.

In addition to the usual selection of doggie aloha shirts, reference book section, and healthy biscuits and treats, the new store will host weekly artist demonstrations and pet portraits to acknowledge pets as an integral part of many families. Guest artists from around the world will be featured on the art wall every few months, according to doggie bakery owner Jen Kanoe Kunishima.

Yumiko Higami's pet portraits, like the one at left, are also on display at the store.

Among the first to exhibit will be noted Hawaii artist Peggy Chun, and Yumiko Higami will give on-site demonstrations of pet portraiture from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 10.

Higami uses favorite photos -- close up and in focus, please -- as a reference for her oil-pastel portraits. The more details that are provided in terms of physical traits, facial expression, and shades of fur or feathers ensure that more detail will be included. The finished portrait on acid-free paper is sprayed with a varnish to ensure long-lasting quality.

"I combine many colors in order to make my animal portraits more interesting and original, adding just a touch of impressionism," she said.

"As every pet owner knows, each animal has a unique personality," said Higami, whose goal is to express the special characteristics of each pet.

Higami was born in Japan and was interested in painting since early childhood. Her technique is self-taught.

"I take a long time to sketch the image," she said. The portrait is not colored, until the sketch is perfected. "If I work on the piece every single day, I can finish one painting in a week or so," she said. The normal completion time is one to two months although she will try to rush special-occasion orders.

Pet portrait demonstration Featuring Yumiko Higami Where: Hawaii Doggie Bakery, Pearlridge Shopping Center Uptown (next to the Disney Store and Ann Taylor) When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday Admission: Free Call: 487-7297

While pet portraits are considered a luxury, Higami recommends taking a lot of photographs of pets while they are still alive. The photos later come in handy, as she said, "A lot of people order portraits after their pet has passed away."

Doggie Bakery customers can order unframed portraits. A 9-by-12 portrait costs $145; 11-by-14 costs $175; and a 16-by-20 portrait is priced at $255.

The creatures in Karen Spachner's artwork "can do all the things that we do." "Ko Ko," above, is among Spachner's work on display at Hawaii Doggie Bakery at Pearlridge.

KAREN SPACHNER has always enjoyed drawing exotic animals, finding diversity somewhat limited here, causing her to settle for mongoose and pigs.

Now she's zeroed in on cats and dogs, but don't think she's gone domestic. Her creatures are placed in all sorts of whimsical situations.

"They can ride on dolphins, go surfing or play ukuleles. They can do all the things that we do, but they look much funnier doing them," she said. "I never get tired of doing these types of paintings. This could keep me busy for the rest of my life."

Spachner honed her craft at the School of Visual Arts in New York, and she's the illustrator of the children's book "Keikilani, the Kona Nightingale." When she's not working on her art, she shares her illustration skills with children.

Prapata's "Surfer Dogs" enjoy the isle lifestyle.

"I go to all of the grammar schools and teach the children how to draw, paint and illustrate," said the artist, who credits kids for giving her some of the best ideas for her work.

The message she passes on to them is that anyone can be an artist. "They just need to keep drawing, and not put their pencils down. It's all about practice," she said.

Another featured artist, Prapata, creates vibrant paintings, including "Surfer Dogs," where a group of furry friends are cruising alongside the beach, surfboards in hand, trailed by a couple of mynah birds.

Work by Maui artist Mary Faustine, including "Honolulu Hot Dogs," featuring a band of surfing canines, and "Beach Boys," a print of a gang of dogs in aloha garb, will also be on view.

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