Christal Nylin
Member Artist since 2012
Plein Air Oil Painting
Within the poetry of art, is the life I chose to live.
Plein Air painting (or painting on site) is as much of a process as the painting itself. When I go to a location, I’ll spend a good amount of time looking for that ‘sweet spot’, and zoning in on that point of interest. I look for a combination of elements: a good composition, lighting, and shadows. Perhaps there is a moment or a story to capture, and usually a path to invite the eye into the scene. It takes a lot of observing and there is usually so much to take in. Finding it is an "Aha!" moment, but then setting up in that spot can be a task in itself! Negotiating the terrain and finding shade (especially if you haven’t packed an umbrella,) can be a challenge. Finding the right combination of elements, composition and timing is a treasure.
Christal has been a resident of the Big Island since 1978. She first set up an easel in 2007 and is primarily self-taught. She often paints with the West Hawaii Plein Air Painters and in her home studio. Even after nearly five decades, she remains deeply enchanted by the islands' natural beauty and the boundless creativity it inspires. Primarily she likes to capture ocean shorelines, historic buildings, trees, birds, lava flows, sunsets and other fleeting moments in time, thereby preserving landmark vistas and scenes. She also has a collection of works celebrating Kona coffee history and culture through art.
Christal has shown work in local exhibits and other galleries throughout Hawaii. She also travels to France, Italy, and California to paint plain air and attend art retreats, continuing to expand a vivid portfolio that bridges the spirit of Hawaii and California with the timeless beauty of Europe.
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