Painting Paradise Dedicated in Puhi as Marionette Taboniar Reopens Studio, Announces Classes

A downpour could not stop Marionette Taboniar from dedicating Painting Paradise at 1824 Haleukana St., front unit in the Puhi Industrial Park/Center; the studio’s official blessing and opening drew supporters and friends to the modular space during a ceremony Saturday, Feb. 21, led by Rev. Kohtoku Hirao of the Waimea Shingon Mission. A blank canvas on an easel greeted the group as Rev. Hirao chanted a sutra, sprinkled flowers and used a specially created prayer book to move air around the artist during the ritual.

Taboniar, who said, “Everything happened really quickly,” moved to Puhi after her Waimea gallery was displaced when the building housing it was sold. She credited friend Candy Baar with helping make the relocation possible: “But with the help of my friend Candy Baar, we’re here!” Photographs by Dennis Fujimoto show Candy Baar, Marionette Taboniar and Erika Calig framing a canvas “awaiting the mana‘o of those attending the dedication of Painting Paradise.”

The studio is billing itself as “Art Experiences with Marionette” and the artist’s own blog and class page list an opening schedule of workshops and recurring events. Upcoming offerings include a Painting Party - Hibiscus in Watercolors on Friday, Feb. 13, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for $50; a Surfing Chickens in Acrylics workshop Sunday, Feb. 22, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for $75; and a Painting Party - Leaf Printing (listed on the studio blog) or Leaf Painting (described in local coverage) on Friday, Feb. 27, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for $50. The blog also lists Rock Painting at $30 and notes Friday nights will be recurring Painting Party nights where attendees are invited to BYOB while the artist provides some snacks. Seating is limited; reservations and questions are being taken by phone or email at 808-631-9173 and artbymarionette@yahoo.com, with payment handled during class.

Taboniar’s reopening follows what she describes on her blog as a six-year break from teaching and a prior 14 years of instruction at her former location. The return has been promoted on social media with the line, “My return to watercolor and art teaching is off to a great start after a six year break! Come join me in Puhi, Kauai for an art experience at Painting Paradise!” Earlier profiles of Taboniar note a longer teaching pedigree; a past interview quoted her saying, “In today’s world, we are constantly being bombarded by left brain activities, such as using a computer, cell phone, video games, etc. We need a little right brain creativity to keep us balanced.” That profile also references past work in Waimea and credits, including an appearance in the November 2013 issue of The Artist’s Magazine and a past commission for Victoria’s Secret.

Painting Paradise will operate from a front unit at 1824 Haleukana St. in Lihue, variously described in studio postings as the Puhi Industrial Center and in local coverage as the Puhi Industrial Park. The artist’s blog and class page also point visitors to an online presence for prints and products. With introductory prices at $30 to $75 and family-friendly offerings such as rock painting, Taboniar’s studio aims to restore a neighborhood arts hub and resume community classes pushed aside when the Waimea building sold; the new schedule is now open for reservations.