Davo Sherman holds the first work in his 11-painting series on the Apollo 11 Mission. All of the paintings will be donated to charity.

LAHAINA – Lahaina Neo-Pop Expressionist artist Davo Sherman said Pop-Art artists like his friend, Andy Warhol, and Milton Ernest “Robert” Rauschenberg embraced a calling to record the history of the time.

As a 19-year-old living in California, the Apollo 11 Moon landing was one of the most important historical moments Davo ever witnessed.

Fifty years later, on July 18, Davo will travel to Houston, Texas to attend Apollo 11 50th Anniversary festivities at NASA with a friend who collects his art.

He will have the opportunity to meet two astronauts and key people in the moon mission, as well as view the actual rocket and suits worn by the space exploration pioneers.

When Davo returns on July 25, inspired and with lots of pictures, he will work on “the biggest Pop-Art job I’ve ever done.

“This is going to be a challenge, but that’s good.”

He plans to do 11 paintings on the Apollo 11 Mission, starting with a work at 24 inches by 30 inches and concluding with a piece about four feet by five feet.

The Apollo 11 Mission fulfilled President John F. Kennedy’s dream to put a man on the Moon and transcends today’s ugly politics, Davo said.

“This goes beyond political lines,” he commented. “This goes to the heart of being an American.”

All of the paintings will be donated to charities, so they can sell them and raise funds.

Charities are welcome to contact Cliff Behl (Davo exhibits his work at Gallerie BEHL at 505 Front Street in Lahaina) at 667-2783 or call Davo at 495-6963.

At a benefit at Lahaina Yacht Club last year, a Davo painting of Audrey Hepburn sold for $1,500 to benefit Hospice Maui.

Born in Los Angeles in 1950, Davo found that early in his career and studies, he was strongly influenced in his works by renowned artists Van Gogh, Gauguin and Chagall.

In 1969, he moved to Carmel, California, and lived with the granddaughter of famous American Photographer Edward Weston.

For four years, he put down his paintbrush, picked up a view camera and tripod, and followed in the footsteps of Brett Weston and Ansel Adams around Carmel and Big Sur.

Davo first came to Maui in 1973 and toured the South Pacific Islands, living what he calls an “Au Gauguinesque style of life and painting.”

Recovering from a surfing injury in 1984, he linked up with a prominent socialite in New York City, meeting many artists and influential people in the international art scene, including Warhol.

It was while visiting “The factory,” Warhol’s studio, and meeting and talking with Warhol himself for a couple months, that Davo decided Pop-Art was a style more suited to his personality and lifestyle.

His favorite subjects are modern icons, including Marilyn Monroe, Elvis, the Beatles and Albert Einstein.

Davo’s primary technique is serigraphy. He also creates densely layered assemblages and collages, juxtaposing images, color and materials as diverse as wood, plastic, metal, glass and paint.

Davo is a longtime member and supporter of Lahaina Arts Society. His many collectors include Carlos Santana, Eric Burdon of The Animals, Willie Nelson and Bono.

These days, Davo does two or three new paintings a month.

He makes enough to live on Maui, but it’s not like a job.

Getting stronger after some heart issues, Davo said, “I love where my life is at.”

He doesn’t do commissions and refuses requests to do shows.

“It’s too much work and not enough fun,” he said.