Guild Artists
FINE CRAFT IN A COOPERATIVE SPIRIT
Guild Artist
Claudia Coonen
My art education started with that first eight pack Crayola box sitting in my father's architect office. My first sale was out of the teacher's lunchroom in the 5th grade. Arriving in Hawaii in the late 60's I learned the approaches, attitudes, and philosophies of the hard-working Kona people. Then attending a fine art and commercial art schools in San Francisco, I received an excellent art education foundation. Returning to Kona after school and riding a bicycle across Europe, I learned many other mediums including Batik, Katazome, Basketry, and Mixed Media. I have studied under many masters and explored each of these in depth. The quest for knowledge and understanding took me to the study of Botany, which complete the circle of natural materials and transformation to works of art.
This connection of our ancestors and the creative process has brought a new meaning to my work.
I have taught private workshops and classes through out the state and country. I am presently a print studio technician at the Hui No'eau Visual Arts center.
Participating in juried and invitational shows since 1981, they include: Art Maui, Hawaii Craftsmen, Fiber Hawaii, Hui No'eau's shows and private galleries.
Awards include: Full scholarship at S.F. Academy of Art; Batik Scholarship at Temari, Honolulu; Outstanding Individual Merit Award Hawaii Island; Lauhala Weaving scholarship from Hawaii Craftsmen; Jurors' Mention Japan silk scarf completion, and State Foundation on Culture and Arts Acquisition Award.
More of my work may be found at: Maui Crafts Guild, Village Contemporary Gallery, Hui No'eau Gift Shop, Garden of Eden Gallery/Gift shop, Hana Trading Company at the Hana Hotel, Lahaina Arts Society, and my web site.
claudia@maui.net
808.572.0461
www.surface-designs.com