Almost three years have gone by since Peggy left us on November 19, 2008 for that great artist’s studio in the sky…seems like just yesterday she was directing Halloween party planning from her bed. And as we near the anniversary of her passing, it is time again for our annual Peg’s Legs reunion – a time when Peggy’s caregivers and family come together to celebrate our shared love for the wacky and wonderful Queen of mischief and whimsy. If you are a Peg’s Leg, please email Kimi at kimimchun@gmail.com for more information about our third annual Peg’s Legs Reunion.

Also – just a quick note to say that we are still selling Peggy’s work online…we have all of her images available in open edition and limited edition giclees.

And for the famous Peggy Chun Christmas cards and calendars, you can find them online at http://islandartcards.com/

Have a Spooktacular Halloween, everyone! Dress up for Peggy!

Those of you who knew Peggy may have had the pleasure of also knowing “Boo” whose real name was Sara. When asked why Peggy called her “Boo” in all of her paintings, Peggy said, every cat needs a “Nom de Paint”. If Peggy was the Queen of the house (which she most definitely was), then Sara was her Lady in Waiting, perched on Peggy’s shoulder with an air of royal entitlement. Boo lived to be 17 years old. She passed away in her home in Nu’uanu in 2006. Here is a description of Boo in Peggy’s words excerpted from the book “The Watercolor Cat” by Shelly Mecum and Peggy (1997):

“In January 1990, two seemingly unrelated events took place: I sold my first painting; within a week, an abandoned furry black kitten was given to me. Seventeen years later Boo still remains my muse, among all the other gracious cat idiosyncrasies of which she is capable. What a bond we have! This little love sponge has never left my side. She has always been a part of the creative activity in my house and studio, even painting her own originals for my upcoming show—unwillingly and unwittingly, of course.”

Now Boo can have special place in your home. We have all of Peggy’s Boo images available in fine art giclee. Visit our online gallery of cat paintings to see more of Peggy’s beloved Boo.

“Boo in Bowl”

Unframed 11×14 Open Edition Giclee $100 – 3 in stock right now, ready to pick up or ship!
Unframed 15×21 Limited Edition Giclee $450
Unframed 22×30 Limited Edition Giclee $800
Framed options available for $1200 and up

We are here for you!

While we no longer have a gallery, we are here to assist you virtually any time of the day! Please email any questions to Kimi at kimi@peggychun. Feel free to email us with a phone number and we will call you back to assist you by phone. We are based in Honolulu, Hawaii and happily deliver locally and ship to anywhere in the U.S. We are proud to carry on Peggy’s legacy and thank you so much for your continued to support and aloha.

Our giclées are printed locally by our amazing and talented friends at Print Logic . We are proud to support local business and value the extremely high quality of their work. Our All of our Limited Edition Giclées are numbered and stamped with Peggy’s signature and come with a certificate of authenticity.

“Kamehameha Day Parade” (that’s Peggy’s son Eric in the middle!)

Unframed 11×14 Open Edition Giclee $100
Unframed 15×21 Limited Edition Giclee $450
Unframed 22×30 Limited Edition Giclee $800
Framed options available for $1200 and up

Featured Original of the Week

“Wichita Summer”

Mixed Media by Peggy Chun
15″x17″
$3900
(payment plans available & more photos by request, comes with certificate of authenticity)

“Damien of Moloka`i”

Of all Peggy’s images, this has been the most requested since Peggy left us in 2008. This amazing piece of work was Peggy’s last painting and the “mana” (Hawaiian for “spiritual energy”) that it carries with it is undeniable.

“Damien of Molokai`i”

Unframed Open Edition Paper Giclee 10″ by 20″ $100 – 2 in stock right now, ready to pick up or ship!
Unframed Limited Edition Paper Giclee 22″ by 44″ $500
Framed options available $1200 and up…

After a much needed break from the business, we are re-opening our (virtual) doors to bring you beautiful Peggy Chun artwork once again. Yay! The Chun Family is excited to be able to continue to carry on Peggy’s legacy by making her most special images available to all of you.

While we no longer have a retail space, we are here to serve you virtually and will be communicating primarily through this e-newsletter, our facebook page, and our website blog about the treasures we have to share with you.

We have available a wide variety of open and limited edition giclees as well as priceless original artwork. Inventory is limited, so if there is an image you have always wanted, let us know today! We have discontinued our open edition matted prints, but most images are available in variety of giclee sizes.

We are so thrilled to be able to make Peggy’s artwork available to all of you once again. We miss her dearly and feel blessed that she left us with such amazing treasures to share. Her humor, love for life, courage, and vivacious spirit speak loudly through each of her paintings…they are meant to be shared!

“Damien of Moloka`i”

Of all Peggy’s images, this has been the most requested since Peggy left us in 2008. This amazing piece of work was Peggy’s last painting and the “mana” (Hawaiian for “spiritual energy”) that it carries with it is undeniable. Here is the story of this gorgeous piece:

In 2008, Peggy had only the movement of her eyes, but her mind was as active as ever, as was her passion for life and creating. Though Peggy’s hands could no longer paint, her mouth could no longer hold a brush, and her eyes could only move to spell out words letter-by-letter, Peggy continued to paint and the Father Damien portrait is a testament to this miracle.

In 2006, Peggy spelled out her vision to create a portrait of Blessed Father Damien of Moloka`i. Joseph de Veuster, known to the world as Father Damien, came to the island of Moloka`i in Hawai`i to care for the victims of Hansen’s disease, formerly known as leprosy. He was renowned worldwide for his charitable work.

To create this masterpiece, Peggy enlisted the assistance of the students of Holy Trinity School. With help from their teacher (and friend/caregiver to Peggy) Shelly Mecum, Peggy “borrowed” the hands of the entire elementary school to paint half-inch squares of watercolor paper that would be used to create a mosaic effect in the final piece. The children painted under Peggy’s direction for over 18 months.

To help execute her vision for the portrait and assemble the mosaic pieces, Peggy called upon friend and fellow artist, Magdalena Hawajska. Through the generosity of a few supporters, Magdalena flew from Poland to Hawaii to assist Peggy with this project. Together, they spent endless hours bringing Peggy’s vision to canvas. The piece was completed and unveiled at the Hawaii State Capitol in March 2008. It was then gifted to the Pope at the Vatican in 2009, just months after Peggy’s passing, a dream come true for Peggy and everyone involved in the project.

“Damien of Molokai`i”

Unframed Open Edition Paper Giclee 10″ by 20″ $100
Unframed Limited Edition Paper Giclee 22″ by 44″ $500
Framed options available $1200 and up…

What is a Giclée?

The word “giclée” was coined by printmaker Jack Duganne in 1991 to describe fine art digital prints made on ink-jet printers. According to Wikipedia.org, to make the word descriptive of ink-jet technologies he based it on the French language word “le gicleur” meaning “nozzle”, or more specifically “gicler” meaning “to squirt, spurt, or spray”. The word “giclée,” as a fine art term, has come to be associated with prints using fade-resistant, archival inks (pigment based, as well as newer solvent based inks), and archival substrates primarily produced on Epson and some other types of large format printers. A wide variety of substrates are available including various textures and finishes such as matte photo paper, watercolor paper, cotton canvas, or artist textured vinyl.

Our giclées are printed locally by our amazing and talented friends at Print Logic . We are proud to support local business and value the extremely high quality of their work. Our All of our Limited Edition Giclées are numbered and stamped with Peggy’s signature and come with a certificate of authenticity.

“Mango Cat”

Unframed 11×14 Open Edition Giclee $100
Unframed 15×21 Limited Edition Giclee $450
Unframed 22×30 Limited Edition Giclee $800
Framed options available for $1200 and up

Featured Original of the Week

“Breakfast with Boo”

Look carefully on the left side of the breakfast table and you will see a tiny black paw trying to swipe a little something from this lovely spread. Peggy loved her rascal feline friends and Boo was a frequent inspiration. She us told us once that she was pretty sure there was at least one cat hair in every one of her paintings!

Original Painting 15″x13″, white mat, green wooden frame
$4900
(payment plans available)

Hope the new year finds you all well. Just wanted to touch base to let you all know that we haven’t dropped off the face of the planet! We are taking just a bit of a break as we regroup after the closing of the gallery. We have plans to continue the Peggy Chun art business in some capacity. We will be working the next few months on getting some information on our website about what will be available for purchase. Please stay in touch via our newsletter, website, email, and facebook and we will keep you posted as we develop the online business.

Before we made the decision to close the gallery, we had booked a fabulous artist, Kenny Kicklighter, for our January show. Thanks to the wonderful Sandy Pohl, the show has been moved to the Louis Pohl Gallery, just down the street. Please join us for this very special show! We’ll see you there!

Thank you so much for all your support throughout the closing of our gallery. We had a wonderful closing party and Peg’s Legs Reunion. It was great to reconnect, reminisce about Peggy and her wild, wacky, and wonderful ways, and reflect on what an amazing journey it has been…

Many of you are asking about the availibility of Peggy’s work and what to expect from here on out. So here is a quick update to let you know how you can still see and purchase Peggy’s work.

First of all, we do have some remaining unmatted images, a few matted prints, and also framed posters, giclees, and originals. Kimi will continue to process orders thru the end of December, so if you are interested in seeing anything by appointment, please email kimi@peggychun.com

Beginning in January, we will be working on putting some of the bigger pieces and originals online for purchase thru our website. We plan to continue to maintain www.peggychun.com, so check back for updates!

Kimi is going to continue to work in the Arts District and can still be reached at kimi@peggychun.com until further notice.

We plan to continue to license Peggy’s artwork, so cards, calendars, etc. will still be available.

Last but not least, we had a fabulous show planned for January that will now be moved to Louis Pohl Gallery 1111 Nuuanu Avenue. Please join us:

“One Life, Many Dreams”, an exhibit by Kenny Kicklighter
Show Runs January 14 thru February 11
Meet the Artist, Slow Art Friday January 21

Kenny Kicklighter is a Hawaii-born clay artist who has also lived on the Mainland. His body of contemporary and abstract fine art includes sculpture and other three-dimensional works in the functional and non-functional, as well as representational and non-representational, categories. His techniques include pit firing, contemporary raku and stoneware.

And also remember that our Saturday Keiki Art Classes are continuing with Kelly and Lorena at Bethel Street Gallery. Email keikiartclass@gmail.com for more info.

Hope you all have a very merry holiday season. Please stay in touch!

With Love,

The Chun Ohana

JOIN US FOR FIRST FRIDAY
This Friday, December 3.
5pm to 10pm
“Shutter Thoughts” A Photography Exhibit by Evan Rapoport
Costumes encouraged in honor of Peggy! Free poster to anyone dressed up!

A portion of the proceeds of some of Evan’s work goes to various non-profit organizations such as Surfrider Foundation. Come by and talk with Evan about his artwork and his vision. For more info about Evan and his work, visit http://evanrapoport.com/

The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to
the protection and enjoyment of our world’s oceans, waves and beaches. The Oahu Chapter’s mission is to improve water quality, maintain beach and ocean access, and assure responsible development on the island of Oahu.

THIS IS IT!!!!

We will be closing our doors on December 10. Please save the date, Friday
Dec.10 for our closing party 5 to 9pm. You have less than 2 weeks to shop our gallery for amazing deals on signed prints, giclees, cards, posters, and more! Everything must go! We are discontinuing our print business and so this is the last opportunity to purchase Peggy’s prints!

We also have original paintings and nose paintings for sale.

Join us as we celebrate Evan’s first show and the last show at Peggy Chun Gallery with wine from our dear friends at Wine, The Experience.

And on the street…Pauahi Slow Art Street Fair!

Slow Art Friday, Pauahi Street Party!

6 to 9pm November 19, 2010

Live acoustic music between Hawaii Theatre and The ARTS at Marks Garage at Nuuanu.

Organic food & wine, from Brasserie du Vin; scrumptious local desserts from Otto Cake.

Park your bike with the extraordinary Bike Valet,

Relax at our 35-foot table in the middle of the street, with canvas tablecloths & candlelight.

Slow Art Friday is every 3rd Friday evening of the month in downtown–Chinatown.

Sip from handmade sake cups by Hawaii Craftsmen, and micro-brewed beers from Marks.

Local Do-It-Yourself and vintage flea-market from Rock Shop, Shop & Bop, and Art & Flea.

Featuring: opening receptions new exhibits & live entertainment

Local, organic & traditional food & drink from locally owned bars & restaurants.

Inspired by the international “Slow Movement”, Slow Art Friday does not replace First Friday, but provides an alternative, pedestrian-friendly experience keeping our money in our local economy. Don’t wait to “see if it works” or let this little revolution happen without you! Slow Art Friday is an answer for those who feel that First Friday is too hectic.

Sponsored by The ARTS at Marks Garage, Arts District Merchants Association, Hawaii Tourism Authority, Honolulu Weekly, Hawaii Public Radio, & Honolulu Culture & Arts District. Confirmed participants listed below:

The ARTS at Marks Garage, 1159 Nuuanu Ave, 521-2903; November 2–27, 2010, FREE Celebrating Connections: An Exhibit of Contemporary Pacific Artists. Featuring work from Niue, Aotearoa, Hawai‘i, Solomon Islands, Guam, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Tonga, Fiji, and Norfolk Island. These are the art-stars of the Pacific region, whose creations have been featured on the cover of The Contemporary Pacific Journal, the world’s leading scholarly journal on current Pacific affairs. SPECIAL SLOW ART FRIDAY SCREENING at 7pm. Papa Mau: The Wayfinder: In conjunction with our Pacific Island contemporary showcase: The incredible story of navigating without instruments from Paliku Documentary Films.

Louis Pohl Gallery, 1111 Nuuanu Avenue, 521-1812; SLOW ART FRIDAY GIFT SHOW, Meet all the artists! “It’s Really Nice”, GREAT GIFTS, BOOK SIGNING & ART PRINTING EVENT, November 19th, 5 to 8 p.m. will feature art, great gifts and a book signing for two new books. It will be a full house at the Louis Pohl Gallery. Featured painters, Jerry Mayfield and Hans Loffel. Gift showings include Darling Dumpling Bags by Anne & Ruth and the special gift cards with life-changing messages and words of wisdom, created by gallery owner Sandy Pohl. Guests are invited to try their hand at hand printing a free petroglyph bookmark and to enjoy the exhibition of art work by the author/artists, LYNN COOK & LINDA CHING. Lynn Cook’s journal-style book “Petroglyphs From Hawaii”, published by Bess Press, opens with a personal journal of discovery, then takes readers, via her original drawings, on a tour of ancient petroglyph carvings across the Hawaiian islands. Linda Ching’s “AO, Ten Years of Light” is a self published collection of 80 of her photographic images that illustrate and celebrate Hawaiian mo’olelo. Each of Ching’s “painting through photographic light” is accompanied with text that shares the artist’s personal thoughts.

Peggy Chun Gallery, 1161 Nuuanu Ave; Opening reception for Evan Rapoport Photography, “Shutter Thoughts”. Show runs November 19 thru December 11. Evan met Peggy thru the company he works for, Archinoetics. Throughout Peggy’s illness, Evan brought technology to Peggy’s bedside that would allow Peggy to “paint” using her brainwaves. Thru this experience, Peggy and Evan formed a wonderful friendship and Peggy inspired Evan to pursue his passion of photography. The Chun family has made the decision to close the gallery, December 11, so Evan’s show will be the final show at the gallery, a poetic and appropriate finale for the gallery space. Please join us for a month of fun, great deals, great memories, and partying “Peggy-style”!!!! Slow Art Friday opening, 5 to 9pm, wine from our friends at Wine, the Experience.

Island Keepsakes, 1050 Nuuanu Ave. 550-0996; will be open and is celebrating their Annual Pre-Holiday Sale for the month of November. 20% off entire stock in store. Excludes gift certificates, special orders, & shipping & handling.

etown, 1164 Smith Street, 225-2727; Local fashion design workshop with retro designs from recycled vintage materials and re-purposed sailcloth from sailed upon Hawaiian waters.

Studio of Roy Venters, 1160–A Nuuanu Ave; Treasures await the patient curiosity seeker. Find what you never knew you were missing!

Pegge Hopper Gallery, 1164 Nuuanu Avenue, 524-1160; FIREWATER: Works by Scott Fitzel & Kc Grennan. Choice Art 3 supporting Planned Parenthood Hawaii.

Also confirmed participating with special offerings catered to all things Slow: The Manifest, 38 N. Hotel Street; thirtyninehotel, 39 N. Hotel Street; Soul de Cuba, 1121 Bethel Street; Bethel Street Gallery, 1140 Bethel St., 524-3552; bambuTwo Cafe + Martini Lounge, 1144 Bethel Street, 528-1144; theVenue, 1145 Bethel Street, 528-1144; Super Citizen, 22 South Pauahi Street, 599-4333; Chinatown Boardroom, 1160 Nuuanu Avenue, (808) 585-7200; Otto Cake, 1160 Smith St., 834-6886;