Cindy Coats in her gallery across from Kailua Pier. (Hawaii 24/7 photo by Karin Stanton)

Karin Stanton | Hawaii 24/7 Editor

Cindy Coats can’t believe the two years since she opened her art gallery on Alii Drive has gone by so quickly.

“Lots of exciting things have happened in the two years since I opened my own gallery,” said the award-winning multi-media painter. “It’s been really amazing. People say I have the best job in the world – coloring for living across the street from the ocean. And I really do. I like to look at this as my reward.”

Coats moved with her husband, Barry, to Kona 14 years ago from New Mexico. She began her Hawaii art career as artist in residence at Hilo Hattie and quick gained a following for her colorful, playful work.

Last week, Coats introduced a new piece inspired by the Ironman World Triathlon Championship.

“It’s always fun to take Kona events and scenes and weave them into my work,” she said. “My gallery is right at the center of everything that happens in Kona, so my daily inspiration really is right outside my front door.”

Being on Alii Drive directly across from Kailua Pier, the gallery is a magnet for visitors seeking that special vacation memento.

“I feel like a kind of ambassador for Kona and it’s such an honor to forever be a part of peoples’ Hawaii experience,” Coats said. “I’m one of the few artists along Alii Drive who works on site and people are often surprised to actually meet the artist in the gallery.”

Coats said she spends as much talking about the Big Island as about her artwork, but is quick to point out that’s not a complaint.

I’ve made so many friends over the years that started out as customers, they add a piece to their collection year after year,” she said. “Ninety-nine point nine percent of the time people are just blown away by the Big Island in general because it’s so unlike anything they’ve experienced before. I feed off of their enthusiasm and I am re-energized, inspired and in love with the Big Island all over again.”

The Two Dog Red wine label features Cindy Coats painting of her dogs, Cosmo and Stevie Ray. (Photo courtesy of Melrose Vineyard)

And even sales come with a bonus.

“When they take home a piece of my work, that me so happy because they will always remember their Kona visit,” she said.

In addition to sharing her love of Hawaii with residents and visitors, Coats was thrilled last year to be contacted by the owners of a Oregon vineyard.

“It turns out Deedy and Wayne Parker were having dinner with some friends. They had a painting of mine on their wall, ‘Dogs Love Trucks,’ and they just loved it,” she said. “They were looking for something special for their next wine label.”

When Melrose Vineyard introduced its new wine, Two Dog Red, the label featured the Coats’ painting of her dogs, Cosmo and Stevie Ray.

“That painting is one of my signature pieces. People just love that Cosmo and Stevie Ray look right at home in the truck,” Coats said.

Being immortalized on the label took on even more meaning for Coats last month, when Cosmo died at age 13.

“She really was my muse. A great personality and a great companion,” she said. “We miss her tremendously and are still very sad, but I’m grateful that she is still making people happy through that painting. It’s like she’s still with me. She’ll always be with me.”

This year also marks 20 years that Coats has made her living as an artist.

“I studied graphic design but quickly realized I couldn’t be creative on demand with someone looking over my shoulder in an ad agency setting,” she said. “Yuck-o!”

Coats began making hand-painted jewelry to sell at craft fairs, but once they moved to the Big Island, her husband encouraged her to focus on her fine art and she started selling her paintings 12 years ago at Hilo Hattie.

Since then, Coats has been commissioned by Pepsi to do commemorative works for such recognizable acts as Carlos Santana, U2, Elton John and other rock stars, been featured on magazine covers and recently has licensed one image for the cover art for a soon-to-be-published novel.

“Four people have had my art tattooed on various parts of their bodies,” she said. “And that’s just the ones I know about!”

Coats said there was never much doubt about where her life’s path would lead her. She clearly recalls seeing The Beatles cartoon movie “Yellow Submarine” as a 10-year-old.

“I came out of that movie theater and told everyone in the parking lot that I was going to be an artist,” she said. “That was a huge, huge influence. I think I still have that true joy I felt that day.”

For further information, call the Cindy Coats Gallery at 630-2215, visit www.cindycoats.com or stop by the gallery and introduce yourself.

Dogs Love Trucks. (Photo courtesy of Cindy Coats)