Michael E. Clements: Capturing the Luminous Beauty of Maui in Pastel and Oil

Michael E. Clements is a master of capturing Hawaii's ephemeral light. Working primarily in soft pastel with an acknowledged mastery of the medium, he translates Maui's constantly changing skies, coastal scenes, and upcountry vistas into vibrant works of art that feel immediate and alive.

A Maui resident since 1987, Clements paints outdoors almost daily, fully immersing himself in the island's scenery. His dedication to plein air painting connects him to a lineage stretching back to the Italian Macchiaioli, the first outdoor painters of the 19th century.

Largely self-taught but mentored early by his great-grandmother Alice Colerick, Clements brings a fresh, vibrant approach to landscape painting. As art historian Jean Stern notes, "while few painters attempt this challenging time-tested medium he is an acknowledged master."