Summer Sale 2012 Kanai A Nalu #101

Summer Sale continues! This ocean front ocean view 2 bedroom 2 bath property is $100 per night if you stay 28 nights or greater July through October. Check availability calendar.

If your stay is shorter, between July through September the rate is discounted to $159 per night. The longer you stay the better the deal!  Visit link below to see more pictures. 

To book this property or others we represent contact us at the web link below and fill out contact form.

Pictures below click to enlarge.

http://www.mauivision.com/rentals/prop1024.htm

McCartney Art is now at Sargent's Fine Art Gallery

I haven't posted in a while.  Too busy absorbing and experiencing this new magical Maui life. 

I'm back to art production and my work is currently at Sargent's Fine Art  Gallery in downtown Lahaina, Maui, HI.  It's a great corner location on busy historic Front Street across from Cheese Burger in Paradise! 

My mantra “take the leap of faith” led me to make the move to Maui July 2012.

I met artist Jack Nordby, May 2014.  He is known as “The Metal  Wave Guy” on Maui.  His story behind his art is beautiful!  This led him to envision then invent "The Wave Series” on metal. 

Jack's work has been on display at Sargent's Gallery for the past three years.  He was searching for months for an artist to collaborate with on a new series of art called “Beyond the Waves.”  I wanted to get back into painting and on a new substrate.  Our paths recently crossed and taking another leap of faith we began our art collaboration June 2014.

As of this writing we have our first 2 new pieces on display with ambitions to get 3 more completed before month end to show the variety of art we can create together.  It's wonderful working as a team.  I draw out the new ideas for our collaboration and we inspire one another.   

New Maui Vision Rental Property OCEAN FRONT / VIEW

Aloha everyone!

Sugar Beach right outside Kanai A Nalu

Ma'alaea Harbor less than a mile away

Sorry for not posting.  I was busy transitioning from California to Maui, Hawaii!  I have lived here now for over a year closer to two.  My first year was getting settled and I did it slowly.  I wanted to soak in the Maui living experience as a local.  I can see why Maui is the BEST!  There is so much to do.  Island fever is not in my vocabulary!

If you need a vacation getaway and would like to visit Maui for 3 days or longer we have some nice properties most with ocean views.  Rates vary per property:  www.MauiVision.com

Today we have a GREAT SPECIAL on a new property we added to our network.  It is a 2 bedroom 2 bath condo located near Ma'alaea Harbor.  It is close to Haycraft Park and on beautiful Sugar Beach. 


Beautiful 2 bedroom 2 bath condo ocean front Kanai A Nalu.  Views, views, views!

The complex is Kanai A Nalu (click to visit web page and view more pictures)

To see virtual tour (click here)

The owner would like to rent her available space long-term month to month.  It is available starting check-in 05/18/14 to check-out 10/28/14 the longer you stay the lower the rent:
 

3 month (90 days) $2,900

 

2 months (60 days) $3,300

1 month (30 days) $3,600

Please add 13.42% tax

Ocean front ocean view! Quiet home listen to the sounds of the sea

Welcome to Kana'i A Nalu a quiet resort that sits on the ocean away from the road.  This property has the BEST ocean front views of Molokini Crater and Kaho'Olawe Island.  There is a swimming pool and BBQs for your use.  This two bedroom two full bath 952 sq ft full ocean view, ocean front property is located on the beach and first floor.  Access the beach from your lanai.  Enjoy sunsets year round over the ocean.  This is a great location year round particularly during the winter months; humpback whales can be seen in abundance.  This unit includes window A/C in the living room and 3 ceiling fans, FREE Wi-Fi Internet access for your laptop.  This unit is spacious and bright. The kitchen is fully stocked with dishwasher, stove/oven; linens and towels supplied; washer/dryer inside the unit; a telephone for free local calls, cable TV, CD/stereo. The master bedroom has a King size bed for your sleeping comfort. The second bedroom has two single beds that can be pushed together to make a King. This home is a wonderful value for large parties and sleeps four guests VERY comfortably. We will allow up to 6 people please ask permission. 

 

This complex sits directly on a 3-mile stretch of white sand beach that spans almost the entire Ma'alaea Bay.   This setting is wonderful for a romantic sunset stroll.  For the more active person this is a great beach to run on as you can do so for miles in peace away from the crowds.  The west end of the beach is Haycraft Park and Ma'alaea Harbor. If there is a big south swell, the wave off the harbor, "Freight Trains," can be one of the best in the world attracting expert surfers.   Towards the east of Ma'alaea is a great spot for windsurfing, during both trade and Kona winds. This property is located less than a mile walking distance to Ma'alaea Harbor and it is centrally located on the island between South and North Maui.

 

Kathy McCartney

www.mauivision.com

www.mccartneyfineart.com

https://www.facebook.com/MauiVisionRentals

808-989-6369

 

Kergan Edwards-Stout - "Songs for the New Depression"

I want to introduce another guest artist who I attended high school with.  I have not seen Kergan since we graduated.  I don't want to say how long ago it has been as it will date us both.  We connected via Face Book and I look forward to seeing him at our next high school reunion.  I learned he has a beautiful family and has  written an inspiring novel Songs for the NewDepression.  I asked if he would write something for my blog to inspire other artists.  

Question:  What inspired you to become a professional writer?  When did you know and at what moment did you decide to take the plunge.

I’ve always been creative, even as a little kid. In 2nd grade, I was the one spraying pine-scented Glade into the audience, trying to establish the proper "forest" mood for my production of Snow White. Perhaps, to some, it would’ve been wiser to have spent less time on such "non-essentials" and more time rehearsing the actors. But in my view, it was far more important that our dwarves actually look the part, with dwarf-like shoes (i.e., slippers), than learn their dialogue. Who cares if little Billy knows his lines, if everyone looks on the stage and still sees little Billy?

For great art, you need the magic, the essence -- the scent -- more than anything else.

And while that passion for the arts never wavered, as I aged, I began to view my creative endeavors more as hobbies than vocations.  I was content directing other people’s scripts, reciting other people’s lines, and never quite believing that I had it in me to create a work from scratch.  Until my partner, Shane Sawick, died.  Suddenly, I was overflowing with thoughts and emotions which were entirely unique to me, and I began to put those thoughts onto paper.  The discovery that I had a unique voice was somewhat startling, as was the experience of allowing myself to feel each emotion as it occurred, but I continued to write, and ended up publishing my debut novel, Songs for the NewDepression, late last year. 

Inspired by my partner, the book follows a man facing death, attempting to make amends, and the biting humor within is a loving tribute to Shane.  Happily, the novel has been met with much acclaim and awards, including the 2012 Next Generation Indie Book Award in the LGBTQ category, and each positive review or note I receive from a reader tells me that I needed to take this step, and that my story resonates with others.  By finding that storyteller within, I discovered I had the strength and determination to take the plunge into writing as a profession, and it has been a rewarding ride.

I got an email one day from a reader who had loved my novel, but said, as much as he had a story of his own he wanted to tell, he felt that he’d never write it himself.  “Besides,” he said, “all the great stories have already been told.”  But I don’t believe that.  A wonderful epiphany occurs in Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George, when a disillusioned artist has the following exchange with his muse:

Dot: Are you working on something new?
George: No.
Dot: That is not like you, George.
George: I’ve nothing to say.
Dot: You have many things.
George: Well, nothing that’s not been said.
Dot: Said by you, though, George.

We all have stories to tell, and is our unique differences which bring new light and understanding to stories told before.  Find the “scent” within you, whatever makes you special, and share it with others. Only by sharing our stories and living authentically can we ever hope to change the world.

The debut novel of Kergan Edwards-Stout, Songs for the New Depression, was loosely inspired by his partner, Shane Sawick.  It recently won the 2012 Next Generation Indie Book Award in the LGBTQ category and was shortlisted in the same category for the Independent Literary Awards.   He writes regularly for Huffington Post, Bilerico Project, and LGBTQ Nation, as well as on his blog, KerganEdwards-Stout.

Actor Nathan Rahn

My guest actor/artist is Nathan Rahn.  I met him and fellow actors at the Hitachi commercial preview produced and directed by my friend James Marlowe.  The commercial was wonderful much like a short film with lots of cool special effects and comedy.  You go James!  The entire team did an incredible job and it was nice to meet the actors and staff who participated in the creation of this production!  I plan to post additional interviews from the rest of the cast and crew in the near future.

Thank you Nathan for being the first to participate!

Question:  What inspired you to become a professional actor? When did you know and at what moment did you decide to take the plunge. 

I've always been an actor, but it wasn't until I got out of the Navy and started college that it became apparent to me. It was during my first acting class in 2000 that I realized how much I enjoyed bringing emotion to others, performing in order to inspire. However, it wasn't until 2008 that I really took acting seriously.

After graduating with a Masters in Informatics, I spent a lot of time trying to figure out what was missing in my life.  I was not entirely fulfilled and yet I had a good job and great life in the Bay Area. Then it dawned on me the acting class I took years ago was one of my favorite experiences.  I had moved quickly towards a career path in psychology and computers and in this ambitious climb I had left behind that expressive part of me. I soon looked for acting classes in the Bay Area and finally found Billie Shepard. I telephoned and shared my story about the acting class I had taken years before.  She listened and told me I had always been an actor and invited me to an improvisation workshop with Alan Arkin. It was through Alan’s and also Billie’s other workshops that I made various connections that led me to the Bay Area Acting Studio and Sandy Meisner the founder of the Meisner Method who trained my acting coach Christy English. 

From there it was a whirlwind of activity.  I began auditioning for various parts, built my acting resume, and really started to understand myself and what I wanted to do with my new career. Before I knew it, I was in projects that got into film festivals and I was able to get an IMDb profile.  I was also able to do a project for which I became eligible to join the Screen Actors Guild. 

I am not content to wait and be "discovered" so I began working with other Bay Area actors and filmmakers to create films of our own and this permitted me to practice my craft as much as possible.

To learn more about Nathan Rahn visit his website and follow him on Twitter

Story submitted by Nathan Rahn

Posted by Kathy McCartney

www.mauivision.com

www.mccartneyfineart.com

http://mccartneytropicalexpressions.blogspot.com/

Goodbye California Art Students....Maui is Calling

Click to enlarge photo. 
Kathy and student Ada age 4

Once upon a time and not too long ago, I taught drawing, acrylic and oil painting classes at "Art On the Lane" in Danville, CA.  June 24th was my last day at the gallery.  It was a tough call and sad day for me.  I had to make some life altering decisions.  Major changes and shifts happening suddenly in my life. 

In this blog I want to acknowledge my students and what I have observed being an art teacher.

Some of my students felt my art classes were good therapy for them.  I had one student say it was cheaper than seeing a therapist and it was fun to accomplish something creative at the same time.  I agree, creating art is healing. 

Click to enlarge photo
Alyssa age 16 self portrait

I have learned that some of my students had grown dependent on my art classes and did not feel comfortable starting with a new teacher.  I do hope the few students I am thinking of will one day give someone new a chance and consider the teachers I recommended.  Each art instructor has their own unique talent, gift, and personality. Each teacher has different knowledge to impart and expand the student’s awareness.

Click to enlarge photo.
Gianna  age 13 birthday
painting for her mother

It was a joy to teach art and for me the unexpected gift was to see my own art skills improve simply by creating with others!  One of my goals in class is to create a fun, easy going atmosphere to learn in.  I listen to the ideas my students have and what they want to create.  This pushed me beyond my own comfort zone and beyond my favorite subject matters.  My students and I copied images from other artist we admired.  And we painted subjects like animals, flowers, cityscapes, cartoon characters, and more.  It was my job to decipher, on the spot, the easiest way to paint and draw the chosen theme.

Click to enlarge photo.
Ada age 4 with her painting
of Mickey Mouse

When a student starts with me, we normally begin with a simple landscape.  I demonstrate and have the students follow my lead.  As each person gains independence and skill, I eventually have them paint their own subject or idea.  This is the stage where I offer guidance and direction and watch as they work more freely and independently.  Some students take longer to absorb the new concepts of painting while a rare few take off with only several classes.  It all depends on the learner’s innate artistic eye.  I do believe no matter the skill level of the individual if one has passion to discover something new, then they are half way to succeeding in that chosen endeavor.  

Click to enlarge photo.
Halie age 10 with
her two paintings

In painting, some of my new students have fear and self-imposed mental blocks that impede their learning.  My job is to help the student feel comfortable and get beyond their fears or ideas of perfection.  I give a pep talk, tell funny stories and cheer them on.  When they relax, the fun begins and the creative process is unleashed.  We overcome the mental obstacles together.  The student who learns quickly tends to have more confidence in themselves or simply approach the idea of painting fearlessly.  They do not hold high expectations of a perfect outcome knowing they are learning something new.  They are patient with themselves.  Most importantly to improve in art or any chosen discipline one must practice, practice, practice!  I encourage all my students to work with me in class but to also develop their skills at home.  You can practice sketching while waiting at a doctor’s office or sitting at your kid’s soccer game.  This will improve your artistic eye and develop your drawing skills.

Click to enlarge photo.

I have become good friends with a few of my students and parents.  I will miss seeing you on a regular basis.    I want to take the time to thank all my students for the opportunity to teach.  I appreciate your business, support, friendship, well wishes, and positive energy.  I enjoyed working with each and every one of you.  I will miss your enthusiasm and creative expression.

Because of my personal life change and circumstance I have decided this is a good opportunity to spend more time in Maui, HI.  I have my other business Maui Vision Rentals that I want to focus on.  I will better divide up my time between my two homes Hawaii and California.  I will return and teach in California part of the year and teach art workshops in Maui, HI.  I will be knocking on Maui gallery doors and you might see me painting on the beach creating new original ideas.

Click to enlarge photo.

I have attached a few pictures of my students in action and their lovely goodbye letters.  However, it is not really goodbye.  If you are ever in Maui or any of the Hawaiian Islands be sure to contact me.  This new adventure is bitter sweet.  I leave with a heavy heart but look forward to the healing energy of the Hawaiian Islands and to new opportunities that will surely come.  Maui is calling me.

Click to enlarge photo.

I love this quote by unknown author:  "Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars."   This is a good place to be and live, beyond the ordinary.  Never give up on your dreams it is the spice in life.

Click to enlarge photo.

Kathy McCartney

MauiVision Rentals

www.mauivision.com

www.mccartneyfineart.com

http://mccartneytropicalexpressions.blogspot.com/

925-876-4985

Aloha! New Maui specials June through the end of August! Check the availability calendar for open dates only.  If you have further questions or would like to book one of the units below please call 925-876-4985 or fill out our contact form:  http://www.mauivision.com/contact_us.php
$85 per night unit C618 (1bed/1bath) ocean viewhttp://www.mauivision.com/rentals/prop1003.htm

$75 per night unit C313 (1bed/1beth) partial ocean view
http://www.mauivision.com/rentals/prop1002.htm

$99 per night unit D204 (1bed/1bath) ocean view
http://www.mauivision.com/rentals/prop1009.htm

$85 per night nit C617 (1bed/1bath) ocean view
http://www.mauivision.com/rentals/prop1008.htm

$110 per night unit C619 (2 bed/2 bath) ocean view
http://www.mauivision.com/rentals/prop1007.htm

$110 per night unit D402 (2 bed/2 bath) ocean view
http://www.mauivision.com/rentals/prop1006.htm