Antal Kalocsai’s Hawai’i Journal Pages
When ATC Member Antal Kalocsai joined the 2024 HTMC-ATC Hawai’i Adventure along with his tramping and backpacking gear he packed his journal and drawing tools. Antal is not only an avid hiker and knowledgable plant enthusiast, but he is also a creative spirit. In New Zealand he is a talented ceramic artist, in fact the HTMC Clubhouse is blessed to have been gifted an amazingly beautiful platter that Antal made & brought for HTMC.
Antal’s ceramic plate is on view at the clubhouse; photo by David Johnson
Antal is wearing a pink tank top and sits fifth from the left in the front row in this photo of ATC clubhouse arrival & HTMC welcoming crew
Back in New Zealand Antal’s shelves are lined with journals filled with sketches and writings recording; his everyday life, tramps, as well as his travels. After falling into an enthusiastic discussion about artistic endeavors with Antal he showed me his journal and I was immediately impressed, inspired and intrigued. Curious to see the final results of his Hawai’i journal pages, once he finalized the pages back home in New Zealand, Antal kindly obliged my request and shared images of his journal below. Take a look at the rich details of his brush strokes, watercolors and writing in his Hawai’i journal pages below and you will see why they are so captivating.
HTMC Clubhouse, Oahu
Waimanalo Beach, Oahu
Antal sketch in progress; photo by David Johnson
Mt. Ka’ala and downtown Honolulu, Oahu
Iolani Palace, Oahu
Antal sketch in progress; photo by David Johnson
Kaena Point & Airport, Oahu & Mauna Kea Rec Center, Big Island
Antal on location at work & sketch in progress; photo by David Johnson
Kea’au Beach (aka Haena Beach), Big Island
Antal at work on the road; photos by Larry Lee
Big Island driving
Big Island Walks & Pu’u O’o Trail
Ka’aha, Big Island
Big Island adventures continued
Kokocrater, Oahu
Poamoho, Oahu
It truly is remarkable to witness his Hawai’i experiences come alive on his journal pages. After he shared them, I was eager to learn more about the process and Antal was graciously willing to answer some questions below.
1) What is your art background and different creative outlets?
I don’t have any formal art education at all. My dad was photographer and excellent water-colorist as well. Doing art at home always was supported, enjoyed and it was encouraged from a very early age. I did start to draw at a very early age and I’m still doing it. I have tired lots of styles and techniques, but for some reason, always find great joy with ceramics and drawing. Making a journal is just part of my drawings.
2) What inspired you to create journals?
I always have notebooks, to record events, ideas, planing, shopping list, all sorts of things. Sometime it is less organized and sometimes it is more concentrated on one subject, like plants or tramping. Inspiration? There is no inspiration, rather it is a need, I have to do it.
3) How long you have you been journaling and what do you like about it?
I have my earliest journal going back to when I was 7 years old. I wasn’t able to write properly that time, but I made beautiful drawings. I guess, that was, and probably still is, my best self expression.
4) When you travel what do you bring with you to make your journals?
It is depends on what kind of travel I am going to. I am always well prepared. If I know that I will have time to draw, I take more gear, if not, I take less.
5) What is your process from start to finish? How long does it take you to make a drawing?
Process? That is very diverse and difficult question to answer. It depends on my subject, the time limitation and expectation. My drawing can be made in 3 seconds or they can take years. For me 10 seconds is the shortest and they are rarely created in longer than 1 hour because I get tried or I lose concentration and will over do it.
6) How many journals have created thus far?
I dont know. Currently one bookshelf is filled with notebooks of all sizes. My sister still has lots of them as well, and plenty of them are lost.
If you would like to view Antal’s journal pages in a larger format, CLICK HERE. I am incredibly grateful that Antal was willing to share his Hawai’i journal pages along with his thoughts about journaling for everyone to enjoy.
Napping Antal, tired from journaling and tramping; photo credit Dale Yoshizu