February 2022 at the Gallery
Volume 13, Issue 2
Artist of the Month:
Bill Jaeger
Bill learned the art of stained glass many years ago, while also working full time and earning a BS degree in Electrical Engineering from Wichita State University, and an MBA from the University of Kansas. It was not until he and his wife Kathleen moved to the Big Island in 2004 that he had the luxury to completely immerse himself in the art and stretch his creative capabilities. Since then, he has developed a style and skill evident in every piece he makes; each being an original design created out of hand cut glass then soldered together using the copper foil method.
For those new to stained glass techniques, the copper foil method was discovered by Louis Comfort Tiffany -- yes, the same Tiffany as Tiffany lamps and designer jewelry. The technique involves wrapping the edges of each piece of glass in copper foil before soldering the pieces together. It takes longer, but results in a more delicate look while preserving structural integrity.
Wishing Betty Gerstner a Fond Farewell
Programmer, mother, artist, teacher, caregiver, and webmistress are just some of the roles filled by superwoman Betty Gerstner. What is truly remarkable about Betty is that she does it all with an upbeat attitude and a smile. We will miss her but cannot begrudge her well-earned "retirement" (we all know she's not going to be just lazing around), nor her move off the island to be nearer to family.
Betty's artistic accolades speak for themselves. Last month's Newsletter (Volume 13, Issue 01) reviews and shows photos of some of her recent works. She is most known for her watercolor paintings, silk paintings, and porcelain paintings. In between all her finer pieces of art, Betty has been making 3-inch hand-painted porcelain pineapples for the KVA Gallery for years, and over time, there are hundreds of these pineapples gracing homes as a collective global endorsement.
Betty opened up her home studio to other artists so that they could learn porcelain painting. Her teaching style was to provide basic techniques and necessary supplies, then allow for artistic freedom, lending support so that each artist could achieve their own success. As they improved, she taught more advanced techniques and hosted guest teachers from the mainland.
Betty has been a member artist with KVA since 2007. Early on, she created a website for the cooperative. She also started and maintains an email list for KVA, and she's published and distributed 146 issues of KVA Newsletters. Betty took KVA to the Internet and gave us a footprint in the modern world.
Betty is her own webmistress, so you can continue to follow and connect with her through her website, www.bettyschinapainting.com
Art Journeys
(with Shannon Nakaya)
My grandfather used to say, "Knowledge is something that no one can take away from you." I thrive on learning new things and since I am relatively new to the art world, there is so much to explore. I am also the new Editor of the Kailua Village Artists newsletter. Join me on my quest for insights about art in this monthly column.
This card accompanied a piece of art received as a gift and was shared by Kathleen Jaeger. HOW TRUE THIS IS!
There is an ancient Chinese folktale about an artist who was commissioned by the Emperor to paint a rooster. The artist told the Emperor that it would take many years to complete such a commission. Years elapsed and there was no apparent progress on the Emperor's painting. Finally, the Emperor called upon the Artist and demanded his painting, which the artist produced right before his eyes. The incensed Emperor asked, "If you could do this in just a few minutes, why did you make me wait for so many years?" At this, the Artist revealed hundreds of sketches and paintings of roosters and replied, "It has taken me all those years to cultivate my skills so that I could produce this painting."
While many artists have innate talent, being a working artist also takes commitment, organization, dedication, and practice. Being an artistic individual is not the same as pursuing a career in art.
Bill Jaeger is our Featured Artist of the Month
