2026 Artist: Bob Smith

As Arts Marathon artists we will send a different example of our creative process and work to everyone who sponsors us, 3-5 days per week during April. We invite our friends, family, colleagues and anyone else who cares about art and wants to support Bridge to Rutland’s important work to sponsor us. Together we will help welcome new Americans who, in turn, will add immeasurably to our communities.

Bob‘s Arts Marathon Goal

I will be presenting a potpourri of several different mediums, the Hawaiian art of “popo lei hulu," an assortment of pen and watercolor drawings, and periodic pictorial updates of the Laysan Albatross chick that hatched in our back yard, and possibly some painting.

Bob‘s Background

I am doing a little different approach this year. I will be presenting a potpourri of several different mediums. 1) I have been learning the Hawaiian art of “popo lei hulu” making feather hatbands to decorate your “Papala”- your fashionable hat which is woven on Lau Hala. I will be illustrating the steps that are involved in this hand-sewing craft that I am learning. I will be illustrating the steps involved in creating a hatband of pheasant feathers given to me by my mentor. 2) I will share an assortment of pen and watercolor drawings of characters I have sketched in the course of our travel adventures in airports and while touring abroad. It’s a challenge to draw people without them catching you doing it. More about this in narratives about each sketch. 3) I will include periodic pictorial updates of the Laysan Albatross chick that hatched in our back yard.(Here on the North Shore of Kauai is one of the few places where the Albatross have come for generations to give birth to and parent their chicks.) We are considering naming the chick “Skipper” if male or if female “Sandy.” 4) If the muse visits and inspires me to do some painting during the marathon I will share the process. This is my story and I’m sticking to it! I look forward to taking this adventure with you if you should choose to join me. This is the 3rd year I have participated in the Arts Marathon. This is a terrific concrete, creative way I’m able to support the mission of B2R and witness to my conviction that all life, all people are indeed holy children of Father/Mother God. Even though I now live here in Hawaii I hold a strong affection for the outreach ministries of Grace Church and the Rutland community. It is a great way to connect and span the miles between.

There is a beauty and strong spiritual energy here on Kauai that prompts my curiosity about many things. I love learning new ways of artistic expression. It’s fun and satisfying to play with whatever tickles my muse’s funny bone. I am delighted to share glimpses of it with you.

P.S. And if you are reading this little bio obviously you have been drawn to the work of B2R. So whether or not you want to sponsor my offerings or not- please DO contribute to supporting B2R.

Art Samples