Jim Powlan is known around the island as a wine educator for Chambers & Chambers Wine Merchants.
What many don't know is that he is also an acclaimed artist and that his work has been chosen to be in Art Maui multiple times as well as in various other juried art shows in Hawaii.
You may also view his works at Hana Coast Gallery at Travaasa Hotel and at Maui Hands in Paia and Makawao.
Article Photos
In his Kihei studio, intaglio printmaker Jim Powlan showcases some of his many works he prints onto kimono silk from Japan.
The Maui News / CARLA TRACY photo
Powlan went to San Francisco recently to work with his friend, Paul Mullowney, who is a master printer there.
Powlan is an intaglio printer versus a woodblock printer or a litho printer. He acid etches his designs onto metal and then he prints his designs onto strips of antique kimono silk.
"Although Paul and I have done work together on Maui before, I was honored to do it again as he usually only works with nationally known artists."
Up to two interns from the San Francisco Art Institute assisted and learned techniques. Powlan etched some of his new images on copper plates using very long times in the acid bath to make deep relief prints.
The interns inked the plates and Paul seamed the silk together as kimono silk was run through his new press.
"I always print on kimono silk that I get in Kyoto or Osaka," says Powlan.
"Kimono silk is 14 inches wide so I back it with handmade paper and seam it together just the way they have made scrolls in Japan for a 1,000 years."
Xorin Balbes, the owner of the new Lumeria resort in Paia, bought Powlan's Boddhisattva to hang in one of the rooms. He says he loves it and, "Every day when I look at it, I am reminded to try and be a better person."
Powlan is also a member of Hui No'eau Visual Arts Center in Makawao.
With his wine cap on, he and his Chambers & Chambers boss, Charles Fredy, will present the next annual Wailea Food & Wine Celebration at the Hotel Wailea on Nov. 9 with top Maui chefs and visiting vintners that are represented by Chambers & Chambers.
He will also do wine pairings for a four-course dinner catered by Beverly Gannon from 6 to 9 p.m. Aug. 11 in the Hui Solarium as a benefit for the Hui's Open Studio Program. Cost is $200 per person. Limited tickets are on sale now for both events. You may call 572-6560.
Reach Powlan at 870-3330 or email jimpowlan@gmail.com.
