
	I ka nana, no a 'ike - By observing, one learns

Rachael's Gallery Blog

Upcountry Maui Gallery

The Randy Jay Braun Gallery is now approaching two decades in business on Maui. From our humble beginnings -- selling surfing images out of a trailer in the location where Costco now looms -- to Kihei, then to the Hyatt Ka’anapali, and finally to our beloved gallery space in Makawao Town. Our current 1400 square feet of retail space can hardly fit all of the favorite artwork. Makawao Town is funky. We love the mixture of cowboys, and hippies; of Portugese, and Hawaiians. Roosters and goats and pigs often run amok in the streets around our gallery.

Throughout the years we have maintained high standards, legendary service, breath-taking artwork, and constant slow growth into one of the most successful galleries in the state of Hawaii.

"I'd rather that the gallery be known as a collection of my favorite Hawaiian things," says Randy Jay Braun, gallery owner. Most of the items Randy selects for his gallery are also the same treasures he would choose to decorate his own house. He explains, "Since I spend so much time at the gallery, it is an extension of my home." (See Randy's Blog.)

The UpCountry Makawao gallery conveys a warm, tropical island-lifestyle feeling. Featured, of course, are beautiful Koa wood frames filled with Randy's hula kahiko photographs. His breathtaking new series of brilliantly colored panoramic images balances the act with scenes of mountains, beaches, and waterfalls. There is Koa wood everywhere. Serving platters, exotic bowls, lazy susans, jewelry boxes, and even Koa hats.

The gallery carries a huge collection of silk and satin leis, local fused-glass collectibles, very popular jewelry and two lines of ceramics. Artwork here is even for the floor! Hand-woven rugs (made in Nepal) featuring Hawaiian designs by Hanalei Bay Designs. "We've got artwork and products to satisfy a whole range of tastes." Says Randy, "I even carry the incredible work of three other local photographers. Doug Landreth has been given the Photoshop Guru Award for his creative texturing within his Hawaii portfolia; Brad Lewis is the worlds best volcano photographer, and David Fleetham is the leading underwater photographer."

Rachael Kimmel (see Rachael's Blog.) has managed the Randy Jay Braun gallery for eleven straight years. "I insist that we provide Legendary Service to each and every person who walks in the door, or calls on the phone", Rachael comments. "We established that reputation early on and now I will give nothing less." Above the front door hangs a sign which reads, "Love Life -- Buy Art."

The gallery seems to evoke memories of a time gone by. "This is Hawaii", Rachael emphasizes, "this place is Aloha."

©Copyright 2008 Randy Jay Braun, Maui, Hawaii, USA. All rights are reserved by the artist. All images are registered by the Library of Congress and unauthorized use may result in fines of $100,000. per infringement, by law.