Living in Hawaii since 1976, British born painter Annabel Spielman has never lacked for visual inspiration. Surrounded by the ocean, landscape, flowers and people her brush has been kept busy. With her first love, painting on canvas, she has explored scenes on the Big Island and on Kauai. Documenting her impressions over the years, these paintings testify to changes on the islands as old buildings full of character have been torn down and vegetation is subdued. Her canvases in oil and acrylic have strength and vitality achieved with dark underpainting and loose impressionistic brush work.

Moving from Kona to Kauai in 1997, Annabel began exploring water color. This medium provides color transparency and a luminous quality which she particularly appreciates when painting the exotic flowers of Hawaii. One of her favorite techniques involves spreading a wet on wet field of color abstractly across paper. As the paint dries, she discovers an image hidden within which is developed by painting negatively behind the form. This almost intuitive method provides ultimate creativity and is a joy to produce as well as to view.

When Annabel first came to Hawaii, the Kona Arts Center in Holualoa run by master teachers Bob and Carol Rogers provided an artistic home for her and many others. As an apprentice teacher at the old coffee mill workshop, she observed the joy and satisfaction brought to amateurs exposed to the creative process. Her philosophy was born here that art is not just for the chosen few but is the right of everyone to explore to whatever level they desire.

On Kauai, she began "Painting in Paradise" a series of introductory water color classes offered to beginners. They have proved enormously successful and are currently offered at the Kauai Marriott Hotel and Koloa Neighborhood Center. Countless students have explored their artistic potential in a structured class which encourages positive results. To Annabel's delight, many of her beginning students continue to paint in water color after learning the meditative and creative satisfaction it can bring.

Annabel Spielman was educated in art at the University of Texas in Austin where she received her BFA with high honors and a Masters in Special Education. Her paintings and drawings have been shown in one woman and group shows in Kona, Hilo, Honolulu and Kauai. She has received awards in juried shows and has been purchased by patrons in Hawaii, the mainland U.S.A. and Europe. Currently she is represented by the following galleries on Kauai: Timespace Gallery, Hanapepe; Aloha-n-Paradise, Waimea; Kilohana Gallery-The Artisans Room, Lihue

For information or to purchase paintings or giclees, please contact Annabel Spielman

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