HAMISH BURGESS - MAUI CELTIC ARTIST, BAGPIPER,
CELTIC CONCERT PROMOTER, CELTIC RADIO SHOW HOST,
CELTIC NEWSPAPER REPORTER.
To see Hamish Burgess' Celtic artwork please visit our Gallery page.
Aloha folks. My brand new CELTIC ART OF HAMISH BURGESS website is now open at www.hamishburgess.com, and the shop is open to view, but orders are closed until Hamish gets back to Maui.
Apologies, but my Etsy shop HamishBurgessArtist is now closed, due to ludicrous security rules imposed by Etsy.
POSTPONED UNTIL 2023
Hamish Burgess will be a speaker, and exhibiting The Celtic Art of Hamish Burgess at the International Day of Celtic Art Conference on June 8-11th in Downpatrick, Co. Down, Northern Ireland, the final resting place of St.Patrick himself. He is humbled to be included among stellar artists and archaeologists from around the world, speaking about their work, displaying artworks and doing demonstrations. Events start with a tour locally on Day 1, Conference Days 2 & 3. www.celticartday.com
Speakers at the Conference include: Stephen Walker of Walker Metalsmiths Celtic Jewelry (USA) on 'The Folklore of the Celtic Revival'; Aidan Breen Gold & Silversmith (Ireland) on 'Celtic Art in Silver and the Creation of the Ulysses Tower for the Dublin Assay Office'; Catherine Crowe of Emporium Vitreum (Canada) on 'The Grammar of Iron Age Celtic Art'; Peter Yeoman Archaeologist (Scotland) on 'Columba's lona - art and archaeology of the Thin Place'; David McGovern of Monikie Rock Art (Scotland) on ‘Carving within the Traditional – New Pictish Monumental Sculpture’; Mike King (N.Ireland) on 'A Taste of Celtic Art in County Down'; Michael Carroll (USA) on 'Key Patterns, Knotwork and the Five-Dot Grid'; Ruth Black of Ruth Black Textile Artist (Scotland) on 'Felting our way through Celtic Knotwork'; Brian Davis and Katie Hobson of Earthen Craft Pottery (USA) on ‘A Glimpse into the Creation of Celtic Tilework and Ceramic Art’; Jeff Fitzpatrick Adams of Irish Celtic Illuminations (Ireland) will be demonstrating his art on site; and Hamish Burgess (Maui, Hawaii) on 'Storytelling within Celtic Art'.
A British citizen of Scottish parents, Hamish Douglas Burgess, also known as Jim or Seumas, is now also a U.S. citizen living on the island of Maui, in the Hawaiian Islands, where he has promoted Scottish and other Celtic culture for the last 18 years.
He is the owner of Maui Celtic, a business and organization which is a is a cross-cultural link for music events, genealogy, Celtic art and heritage, and information on Celtic nations. The number three, symbolic of life, death and rebirth was sacred to the ancient Celts, and represented by the triple spiral. Maui Celtic celebrates the triple aspect of mind, body and spirit, through history, artwork and music. The triscele can be found in our imported Celtic jewelry and on Maui Celtic logo wear, at our online store.
We supply Hawaiians, local folks of Celtic descent, and visitors to our beautiful island chain, with quality goods imported from the ancient Celtic lands. Silver and pewter jewelry as well as our specialty gifts can be found at local fairs on Maui, in Honolulu at the St. Patrick’s Day blockparty and in Waikiki at the Annual Hawaiian Scottish Festival, the first weekend of April.
Our website is a great source of information on the history of the Celtic Nations or for Celtic events in the Hawaiian Islands.
He promotes Celtic culture as a volunteer presenter of his popular weekly Celtic music radio show on non-profit Mana'o Radio, traveling to many countries interviewing musicians for the program, broadcast locally Sunday mornings on Mana'o Radio 91.5fm Maui 8am- 10am Hawaii time, and worldwide on the web at www.manaoradio.com - more details on our Events page.
As Scottish Ambassador for The Princess Ka’iulani Project, in 2009 Hamish also took the story of Hawaii’s most beloved Hawaii/Scot back to her father’s homeland, where he was a featured guest on Liz Clark’s show “Travels with My Auntie Liz” on Celtic Music Radio Scotland, and broadcasting icon Archie Fisher’s “Travelling Folk” show on BBC Radio Scotland, both in Glasgow.
He was honoured to be an instigator of having Douglas Herring’s now famous Hawaii Tartan actually made into kilts being worn here in Hawaii, before it was officially recognized by the State.
He has travelled the world extensively for 28 years, exploring the cultures of everywhere he lived and visited, settling in the Hawaiian Islands due to their beauty, and great surfing and diving conditions, and the spirit of 'aloha', a sentiment he felt at home with, similar to the friendly hospitality of the old Celtic lands. He worked for many years as a scuba instructor, starting in the U.K., moving through the Mediterranean then the Caribbean Islands, and then the U.S., finally ending up in the Hawaiian Islands.
Previously while living in Cornwall, U.K. he was a graphic artist and screenprinter, also
owning his own clothing company, Split Personality. Since permanently leaving Britain in 1992, he has focused
more on his Celtic roots, and his artistic side.
Coming from Celtic stock (Scottish - he is both a Douglas and Strachan), and living for many years in a Celtic area of Britain (Cornwall), he has a love of Celtic art and music instilled in him, producing Celtic artwork in different media (see the Gallery page), photography from the Celtic Lands, and playing the bagpipes. He regularly spends time in the ancient Celtic areas of Britain, Ireland and Europe, studying ancient works of Celtic art, and visiting other artists. Recent works have included album covers, book illustrations, commissioned celtic art, commissioned original celtic tattoos, temporary celtic tattoos and a forward for renowned celtic artist Courtney Davis' latest 'Celtic Tattoo Workbook' (Volume 2).
Hamish is also a well-known local bagpiper, and was a founding member of The Maui Celtic Pipes and Drums, a non-profit bagpipe band serving the Maui community, now renamed "The Isle of Maui Pipeband". He is now a solo player and is often hired for weddings and cultural events throughout Hawaii, and community events such as the Lahaina Banyan Tree Birthday Party, and Maui Chefs Present. In the summer of 2000, Hamish (Jim) Douglas Burgess and Michael Riedel travelled to Scotland to represent Maui and the Hawaiian Islands in "The Millennium Pipe March" , where 10,000 pipers and drummers marched through Edinburgh. This was the biggest gathering of pipers ever, and raised money for the Marie Curie Cancer Research charity. The lads were well received in their kilt uniforms and kukui nut leis!
Hamish follows in his brother Dud's footsteps, who is an accomplished artist himself, and is one of Britain's best Celtic tattooists, with clients travelling from all over Europe and even America to have his specialist work done at DNA Tattoo Studio (formerly Atlantic Coast Tattoo Studio), in Newquay, Cornwall, U.K. Hamish apprenticed in tattooing there for several years, and has since obtained a tattoo license in the State of Hawaii, and has worked at Alley Cat Tattoo Studio in Wailuku, Maui.
A leg tattoo by Hamish, commissioned as a painting
Tattoo is an often overlooked ancient Celtic artform. Go to the Celtic Art page for an article on ancient tattoo, by Hamish and his brother Dudley.
Hamish's latest work is a new line of temporary tattoos, that can be seen at our 'online store'. The Tattoos and packaging are drawn by Hamish and put together right here on Maui. So far we have two triscele designs and an armband. More to follow soon. They are easy to put on with water and last up to a week. Fun and safe, they are great for kids, with full instructions on the tattoo.
His biggest art piece until recently was his original "Celtic Chariot", a stationwagon covered in
Celtic knotwork, spirals, and Pictish designs, which was a regular local sight on
Maui for a few years. His second "Celtic Chariot" finished in 2008 is above.
Another unusual piece is a free-standing wood framed glass window, 6' high by 1'wide, with a celtic marine life scene from the reef to the surface, painted in enamels in a Neo-Celtic style (see the Gallery).
SEPT 2008 MAUI CELTIC ARTIST HAMISH BURGESS CREATED HIS BIGGEST PIECE TO DATE..... HIS SECOND 'CELTIC CHARIOT'. 
THE EPIC PIECE FEATURES ORIGINAL CELTIC DRAGONS ON THE SIDES, AND A KNOTWORK PANEL ON THE TAILGATE. This sees a return to his favourite style of large scale works, and of course is the new Maui Celtic company vehicle. MORE IMAGES ON THE GALLERY PAGE
TRADITIONAL CELTIC MUSIC PROMOTER
Hamish is also a promoter of traditional Celtic music, producing concerts on Maui with partner Jennifer Fahrni, ranging from pubs and church halls, to the Maui Arts & Cultural Center.
Feb 2009 they produced the return of ALASDAIR FRASER & NATALIE HAAS to the McCoy Studio Theater at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. It was a spectacular night with special guest Hawaiian musician Wilmont Kamaunu Kahaialii, who joined Alasdair & Natalie in a tribute to Hawaiian/Scottish Princess Ka’iulani. There was also a legendary after-party Celtic music session at Wow-Wee Maui's Kava Bar & Grill until the wee hours.
2008 successes include a 4 concert tour of Maui by talented Celtic music duo TIM READMAN & SHONA LE MOTTEE, a witty Geordie songsmith/guitarist and a smoking hot fiddler from 'Lord of the Dance'.
2007 year saw a sell-out concert with ALASDAIR FRASER & NATALIE HAAS - FIRE & GRACE, at the MACC, said by some to be "the best concert they had ever seen there" !! An amazing performance from the two virtuosos, who received two standing ovations and encores. A great courtyard show beforehand featured KILTS ON THE BEACH (from Oahu and Maui), and THE ISLE OF MAUI PIPEBAND.
"THE EASTER SUNDAY RISING !" was a great music festival at Mulligan's on the Blue featuring SWITCHBACK from Chicago, one of America's most exciting Irish roots duos, and Maui's own 'The Haiku Hillbillys', 'The Maui Pipes and Drums', and 'The Celtic Tigers'.
He has twice now produced two great shows for MICHAEL BLACK (of the famous Irish Black Family), the dinner show at 'Mulligan's on the Blue' Wailea selling out and becoming a legendary night on Maui, with visiting guest LIAM CLANCY joining Michael on stage for a few rousing songs !
AN EVENING WITH THE CLANCY'S, at Charley's in Paia, was promoted on behalf of Debbie Casey of Irish Music Cruises (www.irishmusiccruises.com), who brought the artists to Hawaii. It was a triple act concert featuring EVANS and DOHERTY, AOIFE CLANCY and ROBBIE O'CONNELL, and special guest, Irish music legend LIAM CLANCY. This special one-off event was a highlight of Celtic music on Maui, and is still talked about !
Hamish also promotes a yearly sell-out concert by World Champion bagpiper JACK LEE, this year with top drummer J.Reid Maxwell. He has organised a mini-tour of Maui by top celtic band MOLLY'S REVENGE (with a great live radio session and several gigs around the island), and a great concert by Scotland's leading smallpipe maker and player FIN MOORE and fiddler SARAH HOY.
He also presents a yearly ROBERT BURN'S NIGHT at "Mulligan's on the Blue" in Wailea. Those that missed it will hear about it !
CELTIC MUSIC RADIO SHOW HOST
Hamish is also the presenter and host of the internationally known broadcast The Maui Celtic Show.
Hot Maui Celtic Radio Show news - the last couple of years of the The Maui Celtic Show originally are now available to listen at http://www.mixcloud.com/mauiceltic/. Easy to sign up, and free. A treat for yer Celtic lugs!
Sundays on Maui - the Maui Celtic Radio Show with Hamish Burgess is on the Maui airwaves SUNDAY morning 8-10am & 5-7pm in the evening - on the dial at KAKU 88.5 FM Maui (KAKU885FM on facebook), and online at https://kakufm.org/. Sunday 8-10am in Hawaii, and 11am-1pm US/Canada West coast, 12-2pm Mountain time, 1-3pm Central time, 2-4pm Eastern time, and 7-9pm in Ireland and the UK, Europe 8-10pm. That show is Monday in Australia 4-6am, NZ 6-8am, but the later repeat might suit you better Down Under at Australia 1-3pm, NZ 3-5pm.
Repeats Sunday 5-7pm in Hawaii, and 8-10pm US/Canada West coast, 9-11pm Mountain time, 10-midnight Central time, 11pm-1am Eastern time, which is Monday 4-6am in Ireland and the UK, Europe 5-7am, and Monday in Australia 1-3pm, NZ 3-5pm.
Chat live with Hamish during the show on Facebook - be a friend at Hamish Douglas Burgess, or 'like' The Maui Celtic Show. Many thanks to show underwriters The Irish Rovers and Maui Celtic. Cheers!
Tuesdays - the Maui Celtic Radio Show is on Celtic Music Radio 95FM across Glasgow, Scotland from 12 noo to 2pm GMT, streaming at www.celticmusicradio.net.
Online Tuesdays - time for the summer 1-3am Hawaii, and 4-6am US/Canada West coast, 5-7am Mountain time, 6-8am Central time, 7-9am Eastern Time, and 12-2pm in Ireland and the UK, Europe 1-3pm. And that is Australia 9-11pm, and NZ 11pm-1am.
REPEAT Thursdays - time for the summer 11am-1pm Hawaii, and 2-4pm US/Canada West coast, 3-5pm Mountain time, 4-6pm Central time, 5-7pm Eastern Time, and 10-midnight in Ireland and the UK, Europe 11pm-1am.
REPEAT Fridays - time for the summer is actually Thursday 5-7pm Hawaii, and 8pm-10pm US/Canada West coast, Thurs 11pm-1am Friday Eastern Time, and Fridays 4-6am in Ireland and the UK, Europe 5-7am, Australia 1-3pm, NZ 3-5pm.
Chat with Hamish (if he's up!) during the show on Facebook at The Maui Celtic Show page. Many thanks to show underwriters The Irish Rovers.
Hamish Burgess and Liam Clancy at Mana'o Radio, Wailuku, Maui
He often has interview clips with special guests such as Liam Clancy, Paddy Moloney (Chieftains), George Millar (Irish Rovers), Jimmie MacGregor, Michael Black, Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas, Joanie Madden, Robbie O'Connell, Mick Moloney, and Ed Miller to name but a few.........Hamish often does themed shows, where he talks about the traditions of the Celtic people and the music. These have included themes on the Celtic festivals of Samhain, Imbolc, Beltane, Lughnasadh, the Summer Solstice and the Winter Solstice. Also modern themes of Thanksgiving Day, St.Andrew's Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, St.Patrick's Day, Valentines Day, Easter, and Canada Day and Independence Day. Other subjects have included Robert Burns, Sea Shanties, Celtic Emigration, and Irish Rebel Songs, and a musical tour of the Celtic Lands. He has even done some Celtic Rock Shows on a Saturday night slot.
Pictish Warriors - Alan & Hamish - Crannog Centre, Loch Tay, Scotland.
NEWS ITEMS ON THE CELTIC ART OF HAMISH BURGESS
Friday June 9th 2017 - was designated the first International Day of Celtic Art. Artists, scholars and lovers of Celtic Art worldwide were celebrating, and the Hawaii location was West Maui. As Maui’s only Celtic artist, Hamish Burgess was at Hawaiian Village Coffee in Kahana all day, to answer questions on Celtic art, surrounded by his own art - The Celtic Art of Hamish Burgess exhibition "I Am Music". The Celtic art show, a tribute to music and musicians, continued until June 14th at Hawaiian Village Coffee in the Kahana Gateway Mall (4405 Honoapiilani Hwy, #207) in West Maui. Celtic artists around the world chose June 9th to celebrate Celtic Art, as the great medieval masterpieces of Celtic art, the famous Book of Kells and Book of Durrow, are associated with the great Celtic spiritual leader Columcille. June 9th is his traditional feast day.
June 2017 - in Kahana, West Maui, you could see The Celtic Art of Hamish Burgess exhibition "I Am Music" at Hawaiian Village Coffee in the Kahana Gateway Mall (4405 Honoapiilani Hwy, #207) in West Maui. Opening hours 5.30am-5pm every day. See our Hamish's Celtic original art and giclees - available for purchase. If you want a chat with him about his art, please call 808-264-5190, and he'll pop round to the coffee shop to see you.
"I Am Music" Celtic Art exhibition at Hawaiian Village Coffee in Kahana
The show features Hamish's Celtic artwork about music, album covers, musicians and more. The centerpiece of the show is an illumination of Allan C. Inman’s writing "I Am Music". Burgess was asked to illuminate the piece as a gift for music veteran and founder of The Irish Rovers, George Millar. Inman, whose greatest desire in life was to have some of his literary efforts published, wrote the piece over 70 years ago.
Friday May 8th & Tuesday 12th 2014 - for the first time in Lahaina town, West Maui, you could see The Celtic Art of Hamish Burgess at the Grand Opening of the Mick Fleetwood Art Gallery at Fleetwood's General Store below the Fleetwood's on Front St. restaurant. Our own Hamish Burgess had 9 pieces of the Celtic art on display in the new Gallery. After a Mick Fleetwood (of Fleetwood Mac fame) book signing, Bagpiper Roger McKinley piped Mick Fleetwood to the store, for a traditional Hawaiian blessing from kahuna Vene Chun. He blessed the doors, Mick and family, the store, the art gallery, and all the artists and their work. Mick welcomed Hamish to his gallery, and wished him all the best with his art. Many thanks to gallery director Brian Connolly.
Hamish Burgess with Mick Fleetwood at the opening of the Mick Fleetwood Art Gallery
Photo by Dubhan Clark © 2015
April/May 2014 - The Celtic Art of Hamish Burgess exhibition was at Hawaiian Village Coffee in the Kahana Gateway Center (4405 Honoapiilani Hwy, #207) in West Maui. Opening hours 6am-6pm (Sundays 5pm). Folks could see our Hamish's Celtic original art giclees - all available for purchase. If you want a chat with him about his art, please call 808-264-5190, and he'll pop round to the coffee shop to see you. Preview the artwork on our Gallery page.
Mahalo to David Maran, owner of Hawaiian Village Coffee, for supporting local artists.
There was be an artist's reception Saturday April 19th from 6-8pm with a Celtic Music Session - with special guest Irish singer Michael Black - the craic was mighty !
Hamish Burgess with his Celtic art at Hawaiian Village Coffee, Kahana
The centerpiece of the show was "The Life of the Rover", his album cover for The Irish Rovers 50th anniversary triple CD. All Artwork © Hamish Burgess 2014
Maui Celtic's own Hamish Douglas Burgess was awarded 'Scot of the Year' for 2010 by the Caledonian Society of Hawaii on Saturday April 10th at the Hawaiian Scotish Festival, for services to the Scottish/Hawaiian community. "The Caledonian Society has presented this award each year since 1987 to an individual who is of Scottish descent or has embraced an interest in Scotland and Scottish culture, has supported the Scottish community in Hawai'i, and has made a contribution to the Hawaiian community in general. The Board members of the Caledonian Society believe that you meet these criteria and are a person who exemplifies the values upon which this award is based."
Hamish would like to humbly extend his gratitude to the Hawaiian Scots for this recognition - Mahalo.
Hamish Douglas Burgess (right) recieving 'Scot of the Year' award from Caledonian Society of Hawaii Chieftain Bruce McEwan (left) at the Hawaiian Scottish Festival
ORIGINAL CELTIC ART BY HAMISH BURGESS, NEW LAST YEAR ...
'I AM MUSIC' by Allan C. Inman
Illuminated by Hamish Douglas Burgess © Hamish Burgess 2017
'I AM MUSIC' by Allan C. Inman, illuminated by Hamish Douglas Burgess © Hamish Burgess 2017. Original Celtic art by Hamish Burgess, acrylics on stained watercolour paper. 24" x 36".
Anne Millar asked Hamish if he could illuminate this poem in the style of the Book of Kells, for George Millar, founder of the legendary Irish Rovers, for his birthday in April 2017.
The piece took 250 hours drawing or painting the hand-drawn letters, and is illuminated based on some designs in the Book of Kells, and the Lindisfarne Gospels, as well as original Celtic art.
More details on our Gallery page.
Available as: 24 x 36 inch Giclee on canvas - limited edition of 300. 24 x 36 inch Giclee on watercolour paper - limited edition of 300. 12 x 18 inch Giclee on watercolour paper - limited edition of 300.
Please contact us for details - email Hamish at hamish@mauiceltic.com
'FLEETWOOD'S' © Hamish Burgess 2015
'FLEETWOOD'S' © Hamish Burgess 2015. Original illuminated Celtic script by Hamish Burgess, telling the story of Mick Fleetwood, the famous drummer of Fleetwood Mac.
The original painting is on stained watercolour paper, with acrylic paint colours, and acrylic black ink outline. A piece specially designed for the Mick Fleetwood Gallery in Lahaina.
More details on our Gallery page.
The piece measures approx 16 x 48 inches. Available as: Giclee on canvas - limited edition of 300. Giclee on watercolour paper - limited edition of 300. Please contact us for details - email Hamish at hamish@mauiceltic.com
ORIGINAL CELTIC ART BY HAMISH BURGESS, OLDER PIECES...
'ST.PATRICK' © Hamish Burgess 2012
More details on the artwork above on our Gallery page.
'LINDISFARNE SPIRALS' © Hamish Burgess 2009
'MAUI CELTIC OCEAN' '09 © Hamish Burgess 2004 and 2009
MORE INFO & ART ON OUR GALLERY PAGE.