GreenFlash: Old Wood, New Board

This summer the swells have been scarce, so we decided to take our board-riding to the streets. Instead of buying decks, Matt thought it would be more fun to make our own. He took on the project, and heres the steps:

1. Deck: Matt found some vintage Mahogany tongue-and-groove flooring at Reuse Hawaii, and glued it up! (Reuse Hawaii is an excellent source for project materials, all recycled from deconstructed houses and buildings!)

2. Shape: He decided on a fun ripper shape for himself and a long nose-rider style for me. He then outlined the shapes, cut them out, and sanded the rails.

3. Parts: Trucks and wheels were found on Craigslist, then assembled and screwed into the board.

4. Fun!: The best part- finding a smooth street and giving the boards a try!!

GreenFlash: Small steps to having a more eco-friendly lifestyle. Easy to apply and make a difference in your everyday habits. We chose to stay in Hawaii and start Vers here because we love island living. Earth is the biggest island that we share and it needs our aloha!

Happy Monday!

Even in the summer, sometimes Mondays can be a bummer... so here to start the week off with a smile is our puppy pal "Biggie Smalls." Have a great day!!

Totally Tubular!

Usually the tubes we talk about refer to the winter swells on the North Shore, but this week the buzz is about the tube known as "television." Early risers who tune in to the Sunrise morning show on HawaiiNewsNow might have caught a glimpse of our "Tuned to Nature" tee. Sandra from Super Citizen included the shirt in the awesome array of products she introduced to viewers in the Dressed to the 9's segment. See it for yourself here and see you soon!

GreenFlash: Portable Plates

One of the best things about Hawaii is the abundance of places to get ono plate lunches or carry-out bentos. Usually these come in styrofoam containers or plastic, easily disposable but highly-unsustainable packaging. Not good. We love eating out but hate to be part of this wasteful cycle. Our solution- to take our tupperware on the go!

There are glass containers with silicon lids, which are the best since they use less plastic. We use these for most of our food. (Also affordable! I found a great 9 piece set at Costco) Many local vendors and especially food trucks welcome the use of reusable containers- not only is it green, but it also saves them money on packaging! A win-win!

We were almost afraid to take our tupperware to bigger eateries or chain restaurants, but decided that the worse thing they could say is No- so we might as well try! I was able to find a container that has dividers, perfect for plate lunches and similar to the size that many vendors use. (I found it at a local Longs) We took it to two different locations of Panda Express, and the result? Both places were happy to help us! Now every time we feel like eating out we take our containers- it helps us to eliminate waste and we already have a "doggie bag" if we don't finish it all. I'd say we have this situation contained!

GreenFlash: Small steps to having a more eco-friendly lifestyle. Easy to apply and make a difference in your everyday habits. We chose to stay in Hawaii and start Vers here because we love island living. Earth is the biggest island that we share and it needs our aloha!

It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... Super Citizen!

These days, there is nothing more fashionable than going green. There are many ways to improve your lifestyle to be more sustainable. You can recycle, carry your own water bottle, and tote your reusable bag. Many of you might have been doing this for quite some time. So what is new? Taking the sustainability to your closet!

Super Citizen is a cute boutique in downtown Honolulu which carries products that are guaranteed to lighten your carbon footprint! Our VERS organic tees have just hit the shelf and are ready for summer. The comfy, lightweight cotton is perfect for sunny beach days and warm balmy nights.

Checking out this store might just make a Super Citizen out of you...

Super Citizen. 22 S. Pauahi St. Chinatown Honolulu. 599-4333

Some Contemporary Printing...

Hi All!

Looking for a way to beat the summer heat?

Head up to Tantalus to see a spectacular new show at the Contemporary Museum, exhibiting work by one of our favorite printmakers, Allyn Bromley.

The museum with its beautiful garden and cafe are a great way to spend an afternoon! Especially these hot summer days, the cafe provides a nice selection for lunch and some really yummy desserts!

On June 27th, join me for a Members Morning printmaking project, I will be leading a screen printing make-and-take. We will be having fun making some small colorful prints! No experience neccessary!

Finding Latitude: The Work of Allyn Bromley

June 25th – August 29, 2010

The Contemporary Museum - Makiki Heights proudly announces the opening of a new exhibition on June 25, 2010, Finding Latitude: The Work of Allyn Bromley. This exhibition presents the first survey of the work of well-known Hawai‘i artist Allyn Bromley, spanning four decades of her career from early intaglio prints of the 1970s and large-scale screenprints of the 1980s, to more recent works combining screenprinting with mixed media techniques and installations completed this year.

June 27 Members morning
10:00 a.m. –11:30 a.m. Artist’s walk through with Allyn Bromley. Hands-on printmaking activity with Roxanne Chasle.

RSVP through Education Department 237-5230 or education@tcmhi.org
Free for members/$8.00 for non-members

For more info about The Contemporary Museum and the 2010 schedule click here.

Days at the Museum

Hi‘iakaikapoliopele: Visual Stories by
Contemporary Native Hawaiian Artists

Hawaii State Art Museum

Diamond Head Gallery, Second Floor
May 7, 2010 - July 17, 2010

A beautiful show to check out if you visit the downtown Honolulu area!

This show is a smaller version of an invitational exhibition that was organized by the Maui Arts & Cultural Center in Fall 2009. The participating artists are Mark Chai, Hoaka Delos Reyes, Solomon Enos, Puni Kukahiko, Pualani Lincoln Maielua, Marques Hanalei Marzan, Matthew Kawika Ortiz, Carl F.K. Pao, Abigail Romanchak, Maika‘i Tubbs, and Miki‘oi Wichman.

For more details, click here.

Matt as Illustrator!

Out in stores is the new children's book How Hau Became Hau'ula, illustrated by Matt!

Perfect for introducing the Hawaiian language, the book includes text in both English and Hawaiian.

In the story, Hau, a young girl from Koolauloa, is overshadowed by her beautiful and talented older sisters named Niu, Pühala, and Lehua. But with the help of her kupuna, Hau begins to blossom as she discovers her unique talents and contributions.

You can buy the book in local book stores, from carriers like Barnes and Noble, Borders, and Amazon, or online here.

New Kids On The Block

Tired of seeing the same art at the same places? Then BODY/mind is going to wake you up with a fresh look at the up and coming artists of Hawaii. Situated at the newly designed YCenter, this warehouse space is features three rooms of new works that include painting, printmaking, fiber, glass, drawing, ceramics, sculpture, and mixed media installation.

This exhibition highlights the recent works of emerging talents Megan Bent, Chen Carmi, Roxanne Chasle, Elizabeth R. Curtis, Jessica Damsky, Dustin Hart, Shannon Leitch, Emily McIlroy, Kumi Nakajima, Alyssa Olivier, Jessica Orfe, Jeannie Randall, J. Robert Reed, Jennifer Rubin, Boz Schurr, Katie Small, and Chad Steve.

The reception will be on First Friday- May 7th 5-8pm

This is a cocktail party you don't want to miss!

Dates, Hours, Admission:

April 23 – May 14, 2010

Tues. – Sat., 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Free admission.

Ycenter for Visual Arts

900 North Nimitz Hwy., Honolulu, HI 96817

(Behind Honolulu Home Depot -enter from Alakawa St. for parking)

*Here is a sneak peak of my piece, Save Our Ship

All about Prints

Printmaking? What is that?

Find out at the 82rd Annual Honolulu Printmakers Exhibition! Displaying a selection of prints by local Hawaii artists, this exhibition is the premier print show of the year! If you are interested in intaglio, screen print, relief, or even photo prints, this is a show you don't want to miss! Come check it out Tuesday - Saturday at the Academy Art Center across the park from the Honolulu Academy of Art. Juror Helen Frederick had the difficult job of selecting which pieces were accepted into the exhibition, and we are so happy our work was chosen! My bees take another flight, and Matt has a large circular woodblock print. 

The Honolulu Advertiser took notice of our work! Click here to read all about it!

The show runs until March 19th, stop on by!

Best always,

Roxy

Published!

Culture and the arts combine in this recent publication called thespacebetween: Negotiating Culture, Place, and Identity in the Pacific. Presented by the the Center for Pacific Island Studies, this collection was edited by A. Marata Tamaira and features cover and chapter art by Vers' very own Roxanne Chasle! This beautiful collaboration of poetry, essays, and art can be bought at UH Manoa from the center or seen online here. Vers is all about lines, and sometimes what is between them can be just as important. 

What the FLUX?!

Check out the newest Hawaii-made magazine, FLUX. The first issue came out in January, and it has the whole island talking. Transition was the theme of the premier copy, which seamlessly threaded a variety of articles highlighting people and places in Hawaii that are making their own progressions. Matt was featured in the magazine as an emerging artist who is bridging the gap between traditional and innovative art processes. He was very flattered and excited to be included in this great new publication. Don't miss out, this mag is the hottest read in town! Check them out on the web here or grab a free issue at their downtown Honolulu locations.

Flux launched their first issue with a blowout party at Ka Restaurant. Here we are with FLUX contributing writer Sonny Ganaden.

Come see the circus!

The waves are up on the North Shore and so is the excitement for the new show at Circus Gallery in Haleiwa! Roxy and Matt have some fun prints on display with a whole gang of other artists! Come down for a night of live music, colorful art, and good times during the opening, this Saturday!

Where: Circus Gallery (next to Bank of Hawaii, across from Pizza Bobs in Haleiwa)

Time: 6 PM

See what the buzz is about

What:  Opening Reception, 32nd Annual Graduate Art Show

(One of the biggest shows of the year!)

When: Sunday, January 17th

3:00 to 5:00 pm

Where: The Art Gallery, UH Manoa

Come down to check out the work of 20 Graduate students in fine art, featuring works in paint, paper, glass, ceramics and more! Admission, parking, and food is FREE! 

The show runs until Feb. 5, on weekdays parking fees apply. More info here.

Roxy has been working the whole semester on a swarm of floating paper bees, you won't want to miss it! Hope to see you there!

Sketcha sketch

Sketchy Noserides

SO CHERRRRRRRRY

Matt, holding his new addition to the quiver. Thanks to Carl and Nick from Two Crows Surfboards! It's safe to say that these guys are shaping some of the sickest boards on the islands. Check um out here.

The Bees Knees

Congratulations to Roxy, whose postcard won the "Best in Show" award for the Mailed 2.o art show! Hundreds of original mini masterpieces were mailed in from all over the world to Anton Art Center in Mount Clemens, Michigan. This accomplishment is a knock-out!

This Weekend Only!

HONOLULU PRINTMAKERS IMPRESSIONS PRINT SHOW and holiday sale of etchings, lithographs, screenprints and woodcuts by local artists, including live T-shirt screening and a "Father Damien in Fine Print" portfolio. Come on over to pick up some fabulous prints and Vers shirts!

Noon-4:30 p.m. Nov. 27, and 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Nov. 28 & 29

Academy Art Center at Linekona

Information: 536-5507

About Honolulu Printmakers

Get Your Shop On!

What: HANDMADE IN HAWAII SALE

Get ready for the holidays with the annual sale and celebration, featuring hundreds of hand-crafted items made by Hawai'i artists. Vers apparel included! Stop by to check out our dresses, jackets, and organic shirts! Matt also created a Christmas card that we are selling in packs of 10. With Santa in the kalo fields, it is perfect for Christmas here in the islands!

The annual show represents local artists working in clay, fiber, glass, metal, mixed media & wood. (Cash & carry; with gift wrapping & shipping available. Sponsored by Hawaii Craftsmen)

Where: The ARTS at Marks Garage, Chinatown

When: November 24 - December 12
11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays

Information: 521-3282

Deck Yer Walls

Louis Pohl Gallery in Chinatown presents their holiday show Deck Yer Walls! We both have artwork in the show, so it's a great opportunity to see what we do besides printing shirts! All the pieces in the show make unique and affordable gifts for Christmas. There are some great drawings by Vince Hazen, using amazing detail and added color and texture with dryer lint! There are playful prints from Allison Uttley and beautiful paintings by Maika‘i Tubbs and Aaron Padilla.

There is a 3D aspect to the show called “Fun-Fantasy-Function," featuring intricately carved ceramics, by artists Daven Hee, Cory Lum, Diane KW, and Joel Park.

Show Dates: November 24, 2009 through January 8, 2010

Opening Reception:
Thursday, December 3,
5:30 – 9 pm

First Friday, December 4,
5:30 – 9 pm