TO BOMB OR NOT TO BOMB...and only in the Purple Rain.

My tribute to Prince...went down to Eddie Tam park and threw up canvas, 

turned on Prince Radio - Pandora, and painted my favorite pic of Prince from the movie; 

Purple Rain; also a favorite song by The Artist Formerly Known As; Prince. 

"If I had the chance to do it all again, I wouldn't change a stroke"

-Prince

The big question is who will get the chance to bomb the abandoned bomb shelter in Kihei? I'm anxious to post about another important project through our non-profit; a mural design to replace the disorganized graffiti that's only on a portion of the bomb shelter. HMA wants the opportunity to display a design that will relate to the many people who will be affected by the closing of the sugar mill. People will lose jobs, maybe even be without a home, whatever the outcome, its not a happy one for anyone involved. Even though the cane burning will cease, it doesn't mean peace within the community. 

Communities are divided and it is surrounding the water that is being controlled by the wrong people. People who have made it obvious how Unimportant their concerns are for the future of the Hawaiian people. Basically, the Hawaiian Nation wants what belongs to them...water included. And because of old laws and greedy politicians...change has been slow and challenging. On one side you have the plantation families, who have long history with corporations like HC&S. These islanders owe much of their progression in the communities to years of dedicated hardwork with these large corporations. And on the other side you have the Hawaiians who are furious about the holdings, restrictions, and laws standing in the way of their heritage and cultural practices...their aina and wai.  

 HMA will continue to offer Maui Muralists the opportunity to work with us on this project, as we give them the first "dibs" on submitting there requests to join us in presenting proposal to A&B/HC&S. One of the reasons we continue to offer mural arts exhibitions is to give artists a place to show community why they would be an ideal candidate for projects like the HC&S wall.

This past exhibition was a huge bummer for me...and I humbly apologize to everyone involved who did their best to promote HMA. Because we are strictly non profit, I couldn't complain when we finished setting up to be told there would be no coffee company or food there as agreed. I was upset but tired, so after we packed up, I went home, showered to wash away my salt, and took a quick nap...after less than an hour, I received a text asking if I wanted to go out...next thing I know, I'm painting live at Casanovas restaurant!! A crappy day turned into a great eventing! I painted Frida Kahlo for the first time...ended up selling painting at the end of the night too!! 

The exhibition will be better next time...more funds to advertise...more signed contracts...and more reliable agreements. A handshake and verbal agreements don't always work, end up learning the hard way. Our next venue will be planned with a bit more aloha and malama pono fersure.

TO VENUE LOCATIONS: Venue owners have a responsibility to help bring traffic to their own venues, especially if another business is taking the time to bring their services to enhance venues atmosphere and income. When HMA offers to bring their presence to an event, we would like the presence to be respected and appreciated, not stepped over and disregarded. Too many businesses are for themselves and even though they say they are "for the community" doesn't always mean they are. If you shake my hand and tell me you will have things "taken care of" like food, music, lighting, & microphone....then please at least keep your word or let us artists know you won't be able to...and not on the day of the event. Having no regard for a group of peoples time or work is just not ever cool with me.

Still in progress...

See you on the other side,

~M.