Haleiwa Artist In National Exhibit

Who says it’s hard to get noticed in Hawaii?

Pati O’Neal, a Haleiwa resident, is one of 27 artists from around the world to have their work selected for the American Society of Aviation Artist 2013 International Aerospace Art Exhibition at the Baltimore-Washington International Airport Terminal Gallery.

The juried exhibition opened last month and runs through Sept. 23. O’Neal said the exhibit is an important step in publicizing her art outside of Hawaii.

“It’s really great exposure for aviation art,” said the sculptor and ceramics artist who began painting just six years ago. “Hawaii is so far removed from aviation art. About the only way for me to get exposure for my aviation art is to be involved with a national group like that and have a national exhibit. Getting exposure with this group as opposed to a smaller group is that some of the biggest names in aviation art are part of the association.”

O’Neal was recognized for her painting, “Coconut Clipper,” which won the Four Feathers Plaque du Beaque award and the was the first-place award winner in the Aviation Week & Space Technology Commercial Aviation category. The painting stands out because of its use of coconut fibers, which add texture to the piece.

“Using that as a surface adds texture, and it created a nostalgic feel of the Pan Am clippers,” said O’Neal describing the piece.

The other painting, “Gone West,” depicts a Red Tail P-51C Tuskegee airmen sitting on the ramp facing west into the setting sun in tribute to all those who have gone west – a past euphemism for death when wounded or dead Allied soldiers were often sent west on their way home.

“I was very happy with these (being chosen). The coconut fiber one because it captured that old-time feel, and in the other painting I wanted to capture the light. So I was really happy with these two.”