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This is a finely rendered and vibrant RARE Early Hawaiian Plein Air Impressionist Seascape Oil Painting on canvas, by seldom seen early Hawaiian Impressionist female painter and educator Gertrude Victoria Garrida "G.V. Garrida" (1909 - 1990.) This work depicts a colorful Hawaiian seascape scene, likely in Honolulu, with white sand beaches and rollicking turquoise hued ocean waves. Signed and dated: "G.V. Garrida 1955" in the lower left corner. Additionally, there is an old label on the verso which reads: "First Federal Savings 15-0086." This indicates that it was likely on display at a First Federal Savings branch in Hawaii during the 50's - 60's. Garrida was a renowned Hawaiian artist during the 1940's - 1950's, and a pioneering figure in Hawaii's Baha'is religious movement, exhibiting at the Honolulu City Hall and the Library of Hawaii in 1960. This work is approximately 20 x 28 inches (including frame.) Actual artwork is approximately 18 x 26 inches. Good condition for nearly 70 years of age, with light craquelure in some places at mild pressure lines at the edges of the canvas (please see photos.) Original period frame has moderate scuffing and edge wear. Her works are as brilliant as they are rare, and very few have ever been publicly offered for sale. Acquired from an old estate in Pasadena, California. If you like what you see, I encourage you to make an Offer. Please check out my other listings for more wonderful and unique artworks!
About the Artist:
Hawaii artist Gertrude Victoria Garrida (G.V. Garrida), acclaimed in her time with City Hall awards and many art shows and exhibitions.
"Gertrude ("Gigi") Victoria Garrida was born in Honolulu, Hawaii on 26 December 1909. Both parents were Portuguese immigrants. Gertrude had one sister—Winnifred Lillian Howell—and no brothers.
We know little of her childhood. She once confided to this writer that she use to surf at Waikiki. From the 1940 U.S. Census we learn that she was a stenographer at a Honolulu (Queens) hospital. According to an autobiography by Bernice Caine Gigi was a secretary working at Queen's Hospital in 1941 and gave oil painting lessons in the evening. Bernice said, "Meeting her [Gertrude] was the most influential experience for me during this period of my life." … The war kept Bernice and Gigi apart.
In 1945 Gigi became a Baha'i through Catharine Nourse. In 1948 when Gigi next saw Bernice Caine she remarked: ""Bernice, I've found it." Bernice became a Baha'i that year.
In 1957 Gigi, Catharine Nourse and Bernice Cain each took a one-year sabbatical from their jobs and moved to Hilo, Hawaii where they formed the first Hilo Baha'i Assembly in 1958.
Gigi and Catharine moved back to Oahu in 1958.
In 1959 Hawaii's Governor William F. Quinn appointed Gigi to a committee tasked to choose the 7¢ airmail stamp design to be issued the day Hawaii became a state.
In 1960 Gigi was invited to give a one-man show of her paintings at the Library of Hawaii.
In 1964 Gigi was elected to the first National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the Hawaiian Islands. She was also elected to the Local Baha'i Assembly of Honolulu that same year.
In 1970 Catharine retired and she and Gigi moved to Kamuela on the Big Island to continue their pioneering work for the Baha'i Faith.
In 1973 Gigi's "Directives of the Guardian" was published by the Baha'i Publishing Trust of India. This book is still available through eBooks by Author | Bahá'à eBooks Publications.
Gigi continued her service on the National Spiritual Assembly of Hawaii into the late 1970s. Sometime in the 1980s she moved to Iowa City, Iowa where she died in October 1990.
Gertrude V. Garrida's loving quiet humble approach to all who knew her inspired a reciprocal love in the hearts of all privileged to have met her. No doubt she will remain in their hearts as a "noble angel".
Looking Back Through The Maui News1964 – The Hui No’eau has announced plans for the resumption of adult art classes at its art building on the Kahului Fairgrounds. There will be three groups, each offering instruction for beginners, intermediates and advanced students. The instructors are Tadashi Sato, James Fujimoto and Gertrude Garrida.TheNational Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’Ãs of the Hawaiian Islandsis the body responsible for administrating the Bahá’à community of Hawaii.
Gertrude Garrida1964 - 1967Moses Kealamakia
Born in the territory of Hawaii in 1956, Moses received early art training under the guidance of Gertrude Garrida, Wyllie Swapp, LaMoyne Garside, and Jan Gordon Fisher. Moses would then become an art instructor for over twenty five years with the Hawaii Department of Education. He would continue his artistic development by taking intensive, graduate courses from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco.
Moses is married to Lesley Sproat, and they have two sons. They currently live in Hilo, Hawaii.
Moses Kealamakia joined Fine Art America on June 5th, 2012.
