Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Hayden.
Michael, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
My career as a fine artist began in NYC in the early nineties when I started a business renovating apartments. Early on I was hired to do some faux finishing techniques on walls and furniture. I moved to the The San Francisco Bay Area and decided to hone my skills enrolling at The Day Studio for decorative painting. Before long, I had a lucrative business as a faux finish artist. That’s when I was introduced to the art of encaustic painting using beeswax mixed with resin and pigment. Before long, I made the transition to fine artist and began creating my first encaustic, mixed media artworks.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
My artworks are created with beeswax and pigments over wood panels covered with burlap and wax. Sometimes I incorporate found objects to create what I call encaustic mixed media artworks. I love the ocean and spend a lot of time watching sunsets for inspiration. I love big fields of color and texture and I sometimes embed found objects into the horizon line of my artworks. I like to use wood scraps, metal, and crystals among other items. My work is influenced by my love of master artists Van Gogh, Diebenkorn, Jasper Johns, and Gerard Richter to name a few. Many have compared my art to Rothko.
What do you know now that you wished you had learned earlier?
I would say the most important thing I’ve learned is to be true to yourself. Everybody is going to have an opinion about what you do but just take it in whether it be positive or negative and then be yourself. You are unique so celebrate that. Nobody does what you do.
Also, whenever I feel like things are slow, I find that just showing up to your studio or wherever you make art and being creative will improve the situation. All of a sudden, you will find people are wondering what you are up to. Next thing you know, you’ll be in a show or selling art.
Lastly, participate in the art scene, Support your friends and show up to their shows, go to art openings, meet gallery owners and go to art fairs and museums. That’s part of your job! (Pretty cool huh?) You’ll find plenty of inspiration there to keep you going. I always say, “Make art. Be happy!”
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
I mostly exhibit my work in galleries in Los Angeles. I am represented by and exhibit with Rebecca Molayem Gallery and The Loft At Liz’s. I also invite interested parties to visit my studio in DTLA.
Exhibitions are announced on my Instagram: @michaelhaydenart and my website: www.michaelhaydenart.com.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.michaelhaydenart.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @michaelhaydenart
- Facebook: Michael Hayden Art
- Twitter: MichaelhaydenLA
Image Credit:
John Vergara
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
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