Contemporary Publications

Acknowledging the Angels

Tiffany — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 00:35:29 +0000

I believe that there are times when we act as angels in each others lives—those synchronistic moments that provide us with just the information be need at the moment we need it most. I’ve been blessed with many angels in my life—family, friends, and strangers who provided me with the guidance and support I needed at the very moment I needed to hear it. While I do my best to acknowledge these angels in the moment, some of my angels have never known that they’ve touched my life. Their written words have provided me with the insights I needed and have resonated with my soul.

Are you aware of the angels in your life? Please remember to acknowledge your angels. Not only does it help to keep those wonderful events occurring, but it’s always nice to hear that you are making a difference.

Dan DeLuz Day – Jan. 26th

Tiffany — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 20:35:50 +0000

A dear friend passed away two weeks ago and it has been pretty rough on me. He’d been on my mind a lot and I’d planned to stop to see him just days before he passed, but got too overloaded and busy and decided to stop the next time I was in town. Now, there isn’t a next time. Dan DeLuz was a friend and mentor to many, but to me, he was the heart of this incredible woodworking community I’ve fallen in love with. He really was. He shared his knowledge openly, gave lessons to anyone who asked, and was one of the kindest spirits I’ve ever met. I loved stopping by his shop and watching him turn or carve. He’d be covered in sawdust and wood shavings, but he’d always stop to talk story. I’ve witnessed woodworkers light up as they met the man they’d made their pilgrimage to meet—some from as far away as North Carolina. There was something very special about Dan and I feel blessed to have known him and even more blessed to be able to call him our friend. He gave my husband, Tim, his first turning lessons and changed our lives. He was one of the major inspirations for Contemporary Hawai‘i Woodworkers and his beautiful calabash is featured front and center on the cover because of what he meant to me. I am so grateful to Lynda McDaniel for beautifully capturing his story for our book. On behalf of the Hawaii Wood Guild, I dedicated our 26^th Annual Exhibit in loving memory of Dan DeLuz—the show opened less than a week after his passing.

Dan’s memorial service was held on January 26, 2012. The large chapel was packed—standing room only—and there must have been 500-600 people there. When the Mayor proclaimed January 26^th as Dan DeLuz day in Hawaii County, I became covered in chicken skin (that’s goose bumps for those of you not in Hawaii). What a beautiful testament to a master woodturner’s life and the impact he had on all of those who witnessed him creating! Dan unveiled the creative process by turning amazing calabashes in front of the public on a nearly daily basis. Watching him, you knew you were watching a master at work and your appreciation grew for the lovely finished bowls because you now understood how much work it took to get them from hunks of wood. Brilliant!

I’ll miss seeing Dan turning his next amazing calabash and hearing the story of where the wood came from. I’ll miss following Dan to his drying rack and having him show me his latest creations. But most of all, I miss stopping by to talk story and getting my hugs and kisses.

Dan’s passing has furthered my resolve to create a place that unveils the creative process and teaches the art of making. Hawaii needs a place to celebrate makers like Dan and all those he taught, a place to teach people how to create with their two hands, and I am taking action each day to bring this big dream into reality.

Inspiration!

Tiffany — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 03:50:36 +0000

Talk about total inspiration! I just read Ann Markusen’s Creative Placemaking paper and it is fabulous! For anyone interested in bringing the arts to the forefront and developing a deeper understanding of why you’re compelled to do so, this is it. I love it when I find the information I need at just the right time. Blessings.

What motivates you to create?

Tiffany — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 01:14:58 +0000

Today it struck me. The reason I love creating is because it is a series of successes. My husband, Tim, and I were talking about it last night and our creative passion comes for the joy of bringing an idea into physical form. There are parts that fulfill my need for “instant” gratification–sanding a rough piece of koa into a lustrous and vibrant state then applying finish and watching it glow, or taking words and images and making them beautiful and full of meaning on a page–that’s the part I really love. For Tim, it’s the ability to use his hands to transform a thought into a thing. As woodworkers, we are motivated to create beauty–objects that speak to us through the grain of the wood and the materials we use. It’s simple. Each completed piece is a success and we experience joy while making. When I work on graphics, books, and marketing materials, the joy also comes from creating beauty and knowing that it is making a difference for our community. What motivates you to create? We are all creators.

Hawaii Collaboration 2011

Tiffany — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 01:06:21 +0000

October 20 – 22, 2011 – three days, 25 artists working together, nearly 60 pieces of art! As the administrator for the first ever Hawaii Collaboration 2011, this was one of the most incredible experiences I’ve ever had. The harmonious working environment, the free expressions of gratitude, and the tangible creative energy from the group was more than I dreamed. You can witness it for yourself on YouTube thanks to Matthew Lovein who has volunteered countless hours of video, editing, and creative time. A very special mahalo to Tai Lake and Cliff Johns for co-founding the event and to Tai and his family for hosting us all. This is a game changing experience and we are looking forward to growing it! Be sure to come to the first Hawaii Collaboration Own the Art Auction on Nov. 19th at the Holualoa Inn.

Hawaii is RICH with Artists

Tiffany — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 01:01:50 +0000

When I read the National Endowment for the Arts 2006 report “Artists in the Workforce,” it confirmed what I already knew, Hawaii is rich with artists. This beautiful little State ranks #3 of 50 per capita with fine artists and craftspeople. But being so geographically isolated has its benefits and its drawbacks. The creative energy and natural beauty seems to be a beacon to creative people (that’s how my husband and I ended up here) but it makes it much harder to connect to the larger arts scene. Don’t get me wrong, we feel incredibly blessed to be here, and even more blessed by the visitors who come here and purchase our work as a reminder of their travels. In fact, that’s the area I see we need to promote even more. It’s time the world knew about Hawaii’s as an arts destination! Don’t you agree?