A giclée is a fine art reproduction made with specialized high-resolution inkjet technology, designed to capture the richness, detail, and subtlety of the original artwork. Unlike standard prints, giclées are valued for their museum-level quality, precise color accuracy, and archival longevity, making them the closest possible match to the artist’s original painting.
At the Curtis Wilson Cost Gallery, all giclées are printed using archival-grade pigments for lasting color. Canvas prints are produced on exhibition-grade matte canvas and finished with a protective water-based varnish to guard against UV ray damage and cracking. This careful process ensures each piece maintains its beauty and integrity for generations to come.
The word giclée (pronounced zhee-clay) comes from the French term meaning “to spray,” which refers to the way pigment-based inks are applied in layers to achieve exceptional depth and detail. Many artists offer giclée prints so that more collectors can enjoy their work at an accessible price point, without compromising on quality.
Representational Hawaiiana is the term Curtis Wilson Cost uses to describe his approach to painting. At its core, representational art depicts real and recognizable subjects — landscapes, people, or objects — but it is not bound to capture every detail with photographic precision. Instead, it allows the artist to interpret and refine, portraying the subject matter in its best light.
Unlike Realism, which strives for absolute photographic accuracy (even down to imperfections) Representational art allows for subtle interpretation. A Realist portrait, for instance, might include every skin flaw, while a representational one conveys the same likeness with an emphasis on harmony and beauty.
Traditionally, this style has been closely tied to Americana, a form of representational art that reflects the history, culture, and landscapes of the United States, often with a nostalgic sensibility. Curtis has applied that same tradition to Hawaiʻi in the form of Representational Hawaiiana: artwork that captures the island’s countryside, culture, and spirit in a way that both preserves and celebrates it.
In this way, Curtis’s art remains true to the Maui landscapes and communities he has observed for decades, while also elevating them into timeless works of art.
Yes, Curtis Wilson Cost’s paintings are deeply rooted in real locations throughout Maui and beyond. He often visits the landscapes he plans to paint, carefully observing light, colors, textures, and natural details before beginning a piece. Many of his works are inspired by the countryside, beaches, roads, and iconic natural features of Maui, capturing both their physical beauty and the atmosphere of the moment. The painting map shows where many of them were made.
The Curtis Wilson Cost Gallery is located in Kula, on the island of Maui. Visitors are welcome to explore the gallery and its stunning grounds, but the gallery is open by appointment only to ensure a personalized experience. To schedule your visit, please use our appointment link.
Touring the gallery in person offers a unique opportunity to view original paintings, giclées, and other works in the setting that inspires Curtis’ art. More about visiting.
Over the course of more than 50 years, Curtis Wilson Cost has created hundreds of original works, each requiring immense patience and attention to detail. The time it takes to complete a painting can vary greatly depending on its size, complexity, and subject matter. On average, however, most of his paintings take between eight months to a year to finish.
This deliberate pace reflects Curtis’s commitment to capturing not just the look of a scene, but also the light, atmosphere, and sense of place that give each piece its emotional depth. His process often involves revisiting the same location many times, carefully observing how colors shift with the seasons or how shadows fall across the landscape. The result is artwork that doesn’t simply record, but conveys the spirit of the islands in a way that endures for generations.
The prices of Curtis Wilson Cost’s artwork reflect both the exceptional quality of each piece and the long-standing reputation he has built over a 52-year career. Every painting represents countless hours of careful observation, detailed brushwork, and dedication to capturing the light, landscape, and spirit of its subject matter.
Pricing is informed not only by the artist’s skill and experience but also by decades of market knowledge passed down from Curtis’s father, James Peter Cost, who owned a successful gallery in California. This generational understanding of art valuation ensures that each piece is priced fairly and in line with the market for fine, original works.
Curtis has created hundreds of original paintings over the course of his career, and recent sales of his work consistently support these price ranges. Each artwork is a one-of-a-kind, enduring investment, offering both aesthetic enjoyment and long-term value for collectors.
At this stage in his 52-year career, Curtis Wilson Cost has completed hundreds of original paintings, but only a limited number remain available for sale. These select originals can be previewed online or viewed in person at the gallery in Kula, Maui by appointment. To inquire about purchasing an original, please email costgallery.jill@gmail.com, and we will guide you through the process.
For those who love Curtis Wilson Cost’s work but are looking for a more accessible option, we also offer high-quality giclée reproductions. These reproductions capture the richness, detail, and essence of the original paintings while providing a more attainable way for new collectors to bring his art into your home.
Yes, Curtis Wilson Cost accepts commissions on a case-by-case basis, depending on the subject matter. If you are interested in commissioning a painting, please email costgallery.jill@gmail.com with details about your vision, and we will assist you in determining feasibility and next steps.
The gallery is not a certified appraiser, so we cannot provide official appraisal documentation. Because important details such as the back of the painting, condition, or provenance may not be visible in submitted images or descriptions, official appraisals must be conducted through a licensed professional.
That said, we are happy to provide an estimate of current retail value or the cost to reproduce an original painting. We can also assist in preparing documentation—drafted with legal guidance—for updating insurance policies.
Please note: we do not purchase giclée reproductions, and while we can consign original paintings, the gallery does not buy back originals.
It depends on whether your order is ready-to-ship or custom/pre-order:
Ready-to-ship items (such as select prints, puzzles, and note cards) usually ship within 72 hours of purchase, Monday through Friday, except on weekends and holidays. You’ll receive a confirmation email with tracking as soon as your package is on its way.
Custom orders & pre-orders (including giclées, gallery wraps, framed pieces, and calendars) take longer to prepare. These typically require a minimum of 8 weeks before shipping, as each piece is carefully produced and inspected to ensure quality. We’ll confirm your address before shipment and send tracking once your artwork is on its way.
It’s important that you are home to accept your fragile artwork. If you may be out of town for a specific period, please email costgallery.jill@gmail.com to inform us, and we will be happy to schedule our shipping around your travels to ensure you are home to accept the delivery.
Shipping within the U.S. is included in all order prices. For international shipping inquiries, please email costgallery.jill@gmail.com. For more information, please read our Shipping Policy.
We can perform custom orders for internationally based customers by request. For international shipping inquiries, please email costgallery.jill@gmail.com.
All sales are final and non-refundable. As a small, family-run gallery, we take great pride in preparing each order with the highest level of care. Whether it’s an original painting, a giclée, or a framed piece, every item is carefully inspected before it leaves the gallery to ensure it meets our standards of quality.
Because many of our offerings are one-of-a-kind or custom-made just for you, we aren’t able to accept returns or exchanges the way larger retailers might. We hope you’ll understand that this policy allows us to continue creating and sharing artwork in a sustainable way, while keeping the focus on delivering heirloom-quality pieces that you and your loved ones can enjoy for years to come.
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