Kailua Village Artists

Nicolina Rinaldi

Watercolor and Acrylic

"I never tire of exploring the subtleties of the different art media and Hawaiian subject matter" Rinaldi said of her work.

During her early years in her home state of Ohio, Nicolina "Nicki" focused on painting with oils and pastels.  After moving to Hawaii in 1992, watercolor became her primary medium.  She also added silk painting to her disciplines, and now, acrylics and gourd decorating are the new adventures.

The decorated native gourds are executed using the "umeke pawehe" method, a lost Hawaiian art.  After the skin is removed, according to the design, and depending on the color desired, different dyes are placed inside for a long period.  The color then comes through to the outer surface of the gourd, always a wonderment.

A multi-time winner at the Kona Coffee Art Festivals, Nicolina has also shown in many juried shows.  Her paintings are in collections in Japan, Australia, Europe and the United States.  She has been instrumental in keeping the Kona Arts Center, in Kainaliu, originally of Holualoa, active, always a place for artists to gather.

Nicolina Rinaldi
808-322-3385