Edithe Beutler: Beautifying Hawaii with Color - Hardcover

by Cj Cook (Author), Robert L. Harned (Author)

An inspiring chronicle of creativity, resilience, and entrepreneurship

It is impossible to replicate Hawaii's beauty in grayscale. Which is why, before the invention of color film in 1942, fine artists were hired to colorize black and white photographs. Edithe Beutler was one of the best.

In 1934, after enjoying a career as an in-demand colorist for universities, corporations, and universities, Beutler partnered with Eastman Kodak in Hawaii. In Honolulu, she began teaching the public oil painting of black-and-white images of Hawaiian beaches and flowers, selling these colorized photos for Kodak, and painting geographical maps of the South Pacific for the US Government before WWII.

Beyond her professional acclaim, Beutler's resilience and determination shines through. Despite personal hardships, including difficult marriages, job loss, and her Hollywood movie star daughter's tumultuous career, she persisted as the cornerstone of her family's success. Beutler's legacy is not just inspiring; it embodies defiance, artistry, and an indomitable spirit that continues to captivate audiences today.

In beautiful, full-page color images and vibrant text, Edithe Beutler: Beautifying Hawaii with Color tells the story of this remarkable artist, entrepreneur, and matriarch, who earned the affectionate nickname "Lovey" for her grace and care in all aspects of life.

Author Biography

C.J. Cook is an award-winning author and historian specializing in South Pacific artists, mainly from Hawaii and Tahiti. His literary career began with "Tyree, Artist of the South Pacific" in 2017, which earned two Gold Awards from the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) in 2018. Cook continued his exploration of Pacific artistry with "Leeteg, Babes, Bars, Beaches, and Black Velvet Art," winning a Gold Medal for Best Biography from the IBPA in 2022. In 2023, he released "Beauty in the Beast, Flora, Fauna, and Endangered Species of Artist Ralph Burke Tyree,".

Robert L. Harned, raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, graduated from Punahou School and earned a master's degree in library science from the University of Hawaii. His educational background led to notable positions at the Library of Congress, the University of Pennsylvania, and various academic and law libraries in New York City. Passionate about family history, Harned authored several books, including "Sally Phipps, Silent Film Star" (2015), detailing his mother's career in silent films, Broadway, and radio, and "A Magical Career: The Amazing Life of Albert Edward Bogdon" (2016).