The island of Lāna'i is a painter's paradise because of the quality of its light and its unspoiled settings. Eight artists gathered there Dec. 15 to 19 to capture its unique features, as guests of Mike and Kathy Carroll, owners of the Mike Carroll Gallery. A reception on Dec. 19 celebrated the gallery's seventh anniversary, featuring the artists and their week's portfolios.

The artists, members of the Islanders, a plein air group, created "Impressions of Lāna'i," the gallery's second annual plein air exhibition. Plein air, or open air, painting, which the impressionists of the late 1800s made popular, has experienced a revival in recent years.

Billyo O'Donnell, a noted Missouri artist who spends time painting on the island each year, also participated as guest artist. Island artists who joined Mike Carroll for the week's painting included Ronaldo Macedo and George Allan from Maui, Mark Brown from O'ahu, Pierre Bouret and Martin Wessler from Kaua'i, and Darrell Hill from the Big Island.

Carroll describes his own work as "a blend of realism and impressionism soft but dramatic, with a dreamy quality that allows the eye to fill in the gaps left by the pieces of paint. The light out here is really soft — that's how I try to paint what I see. It has a peaceful feel."

In fact the wonderful light helped draw him to Lāna'i. He and Kathy were enjoying successful professional careers in Chicago when they visited the island to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary in 1999. Mike was a medical illustrator, and Kathy, who holds a doctorate in nutrition, worked for a major advertising agency.

"Lāna'i had this wonderful 1930s Hawai'i feel. We fell in love with the place. We were here for 10 days, and by day five, we were looking for a house," he said.

They returned to Chicago, sold everything they owned and by 2001 were full-time Lā na'i residents. At first, Mike worked from their home. They caught the ferry to Lahaina each week, staying at the Pioneer Inn and displaying Mike's work with other artists under the old banyan tree. Eventually, they opened a modest gallery, moving to their current gallery that fronts the park four years ago. While Mike creates art, Kathy manages the gallery.

Since his move to Lāna'i, Mike is one of only three artists to have been juried into the statewide Schaefer Portrait Challenge three times. The most recent work was displayed this year at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center and the Contemporary Museum at the First Hawaiian Center in Honolulu. He also has received the Sponsor's Award in this year's Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational, second place in this year's Plein Air Painters of Hawaii Annual Show, and the Sponsor's Award at the Makawao Invitational PaintOut.

From the beginning, their life in Lāna'i included a commitment to the community — including support of the Lana'i Art Center and the Lana'i Culture and Heritage Center. They provide an annual art scholarship to a graduating high school senior who exhibits an interest in the arts.

Jenna Gentry Majkus, owner of Local Gentry, a clothing and accessories boutique a few doors down from the gallery, worked with Kathy on the Cancer Society's Relay for Life. "She donates her time to many causes," Majkus said.

But Kathy's concern for stray, neglected and abused animals on the island has turned into an unexpected passion for her. She found the island teeming with feral cats, roaming strays — and no animal shelter.

"She spearheaded having a vet come from Maui to spay and neuter the cats, notch their ears and return them," Majkus said. "She has been a driving force in establishing the Lanai Animal Rescue Center." The center opened a sanctuary a few months ago.

"A basic philosophy of our gallery is to use our resources to help our community," Mike explained. A portion of proceeds from the plein air exhibit will benefit two of the Carrolls' favorite causes — the animal rescue center and Lanai Art Center.