So far there are not many mangoes, avocados, passion fruits, breadfruits, nor calamansi in the garden this summer. Is the reason insects, weather, and/or lack of fertilizer? How many can you find in these photos?
I’m grateful, nevertheless.
Be well!
Love,
Rebekah
I had a lovely conversation yesterday with a man, an M.D., at the art reception. He was the spouse of one of my painting students. He admired the hand-dyed tissue-paper collages and seemed intrigued as I explained our art group’s process of creating unique paintings with this medium.
Was I always an artist? he asked. That question made me pause. I had to think back to so long ago.
I’m a writer, I said, starting my career as a general assignment reporter for the daily news, then magazines, then university relations. I am a pen woman. The National League of American Pen Women is made up of women in letters (writing and editing), arts, and/or music (e.g., composition and arranging). What we have in common is that we all start with a blank page or canvas. When I became a Letters member, I met artists and I thought they were “cool.” I wanted to be one of them, so I took lessons.
The music element caught his ear, so to speak. What kind of music do you write? he asked. Love songs, I said. They come from my heart, and I have to be in the mood. I can’t just crank them out. This man had a gentle way of coaxing out information.
He was understanding when I told him I had developed a wrist injury from holding a paintbrush overhand for more than 30 years—the reason I switched to tissue collage. Assembling collages is quite different from painting outdoors in the landscape.
Do you still paint? he asked. Ahh, now I’m teaching painting!
He said, “It’s the same in medicine!”
Be well.
~ Rebekah
Family and friends, art appreciators, customers, patrons, and angels attended the Opening Reception for the “Collage & Clay” exhibit, now showing through June 25, 2021, at The Arts at Marks Garage in Honolulu.
It was hosted by Dan Fox-Aregger in memory of his wife and my art teacher and mentor Susan Rogers-Aregger. Pianist Joerg Alfter entertained, and sales appeared to be brisk as the gallery staff continued to write up sales tickets.
Here are my paintings created with hand-dyed tissue paper.
Love,
Rebekah
My cohorts and I create paintings from hand-dyed tissue paper after our teacher the late Susan Rogers-Aregger. I am fond of the piece above entitled “Crater View” that I made of the volcano.
~ Rebekah
Mango season has begun, and I can’t wait until it’s full on. This is how I like to prepare the fruit for eating. See the design repeat of the waffles?
Enjoy!
~ Rebekah
Happy Mother’s Day, everyone, even to the fathers out there who are single parenting. Today I share two cherished photos: my mother in her Mandarin jacket, and her mother wearing her coolie hat in the victory garden of “the big house on Beretania street.” If you look closely, you can see a small fry, either cousin Mildred or Muriel, peeking out the window.
I wish to recognize, too, my hānai Mom Ivalee.
I love you.
~ Rebekah
For the record, here are images from the past two nights of the bright light that kept me awake, the Supermoon. The one above was made from my front yard, and the one below was made through the window while in bed around 1:30 a.m. on April 28, 2021.
Embrace the energy!
~ Rebekah
Rebekah’s Studio 
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