Kokua Line June Watanabe

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Data sought on unknown painters

Question: I bought an oil painting in 1997 from a consignment shop in Honolulu. The painting is signed "Blackmore" and shows two workers in a garden in front of a dilapidated building. In searching the Internet, I can't find information about the artist. I don't know if the artist is male or female (no first name) or when the painting was done. I called the Honolulu Academy of Arts and Bishop Museum archives department, and no one I spoke with seemed to know this painter. I wonder if you might be able to shed some light on the artist.

Answer: It turns out that we also have a painting by a "Blackmore," a watercolor showing the old Palama Theater (later Zamboanga Theater), purchased in the 1970s during an art show/sale at the Amfac Center. We also have been unsuccessful in finding anything on the artist.

Since we're on the topic of Hawaii artists, someone else recently asked if we had any information on Vic Wiggington, "an artist who painted black velvets a la Leeteg" in Honolulu "circa 1962."

If anyone has information about either artist, please leave a message at 529-4773 or e-mail kokualine@starbulletin.com.

Soup labels

Any school or organization collecting Campbell's soup labels? A "Kokua Line" reader says she's been collecting the labels for an organization, but it no longer wants them. She's looking for a school or organization in the Honolulu area that might want them instead.

If interested, call "Kokua Line" at 529-4773 and leave a name and contact number. We'll pass on the names of the first couple of callers.

Campbell's sponsors a Labels for Education program. Check www.labelsforeducation.com for information.

Mahalo

To Ms. A.A. for paying for our dinner on Thursday, Jan. 18, at Zippy's Restaurant on Vineyard Boulevard. We four older women were dining at the bar end of the restaurant around 7:20 p.m., and Ms. A.A. and her family were sitting across from our table. We did not know them. We were flabbergasted when told she had paid our bill. Why would any stranger do this? We searched our memories, analyzed our table conversation to learn the reason but could not connect us with this family. Our conclusion: She is a very special caring person. Thank you, Ms. A.A. We hope someday we can reciprocate your generosity and get to know you. We wish you a special aloha. Mahalo nui loa. -- Four Grateful Women