Arius Hopman was born and raised in an artist family in Kashmir, India. His mother became a world reknown artist who was commissioned to sculpt Mahatma Gandhi—twice from life, once a post-mortem (exhibit in Smithsonian), the Shah of Iran (bronze equestrian), Prime Minister Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Maharajas and others. Arius grew up with paint and clay as his playthings and soon became proficient in both media. He studied art in college. In Japan, he learned to paint to capture the essence and to paint with a sumi brush. In his travels, he has sold art in Japan, Mexico, Europe, and in the USA.
On Kauai, Arius has dedicated himself to the mastery of watercolor, a demanding medium. He has had five one-man shows in the last six years and has opened his own gallery. 9 of the 12 galleries in Hanapepe are artist-owned. A rapid expansion in skill, painting size and volume of work has ensued. Arius won an Acquisition Award from the state of Hawaii in 1996 and a Kauai Society of Artists Award in 1997. He is a member of the Kauai Society of Artists. Aside from his Gallery/Studio in Hanapepe, he is also represented by the Evolve Love Gallery in Hanalei.
Arius moved to Hawai‘i in 1985 from Taos, New Mexico, and lives in Hanapepe, Kaua‘i, where he opened a gallery in June of 1997 next door to the Hanapepe Café.