Page 6 - MidWeek Windward - Nov 10, 2021

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NOVEMBER 10, 2021
At 90 years of age, Punalu‘u res- ident Charles Ho‘manawanui Dudoit would be the perfect poster guy for AARP’s The Art of Caring art show during the month of November at The Arts at Marks Garage in Honolulu.
BY MARYANNE LONG
Charles Dudoit: The Art Of Caring For Others
only is it an opportunity for him to socialize, but to do what he loves best — paint and mentor other painters.
“November is National Family Caregiver Month — a time when we cele- brate the contributions of unpaid care contributed by family members to our kūpuna. My hope for The Art of Caring is that it helps raise awareness of caregiv- ing, celebrate caregiving, communicate the emotion- al complexity of caregiv- ing, and provide a creative outlet for those involved in care. I’ m excited to see the exhibit,” adds Jackie Boland, AARP community outreach director.
Due to his advanced age, he does receive some care-giving to help him get around the island, but he actually considers himself a care-giver, citing his lin- eage to a family of early Hawaiians known for their spirit of caring and giving.
“Our class enjoys seeing Charlie’s work, making it a point to stop by to see what he has done,” says class- mate Barbara Tatsuguchi of Hau‘ula.
“I was a troubled kid,” Dudoit says, “but thanks to my family, especially my grandmother from Molo- ka‘i, I was able to overcome my stuttering. Then thanks to caring people like Mrs. Campbell Woods, I was able to get a pilot’s license. At 19, I flew a National Geographic photographer to Kīlauea to get pictures of an active volcano.”
“Charles is an excellent artist, not in just one me- dium, but many. He is also a very gentle and kind per- son. I love hearing of his art experiences and world travels,” says award-win- ning watercolorist Richard Pleasants, the class’ art in- structor.
The Art of Caring ex- hibit runs through Nov. 27.
ist, art instructor, art col- lector and curator. Reach her at malong@hawaii.
“If we have any ques- tions, he happily answers them and shares art tips. We marvel at the variety of art in his sketchbooks. During class, he always takes an assignment and turns it into something unique.”
(From left) 90-year-old artist Charles Dudoit’s work will be on display at the AARP-sponsored Art of Caring exhibit; Dudoit’s oil painting, My Grandmother’s Home on Moloka‘i. PHOTOS COURTESY MARYANNE LONG
Hours are noon to 5 p.m., Nu‘uanu and N. Pauahi St.
Tuesday through Satur- in Chinatown.
day at The Arts at Marks
Garage on the corner of MaryAnne Long is an art- rr.com or longlostart.wee-
And it did not stop there. Dudoit was exposed to countless examples of car- ing, from Lucille Ander- son and Charles Higa who taught him ceramics, to Mark Brown and Ed Furui- ke who taught him to paint.
Christmas
Saturday, November 20th
9:00am - 3:00pm
On the Windward side in Lanikai, corner of Aalapapa
& Kaiolena Drives
——
Made in Hawaii crafts, jewelry, paintings, photography, plants, clothing and MORE!
Food, Drinks, and Bake Sale items available for purchase.
FACE MASK ENCOURAGED
Today, he continues to exhibit the art of caring. “I believe we should teach what we learn, whether to neighborhood kids or kūpuna,” Dudoit says.
Recently, Dudoit became a member of the Ko‘olau- loa Kūpuna Art Club which meets regularly at the Hau‘ula Civic Center. Not
Dudoit and his fellow classmates have contribut- ed several pieces of artwork to the AARP-sponsored art show. Well-known photog- rapher and Arts at Marks board chairman Kim Tay- lor Reece explains, “AARP sponsored the Art of Caring at our gallery to celebrate family caregiver month. It has exceeded our expecta- tions in entries. We were so glad that this import- ant subject was received so well, with entries from ages 10-92. Dozens of the entries are from emerging artists, entering their first art contest. Dozens more are from established artists who are caregivers them- selves.”
Lanikai
Craft Fair