Wynne Hayakawa

WYNNE HAYAKAWA’s abstract paintings of trees find their origins in the landscape of Northern California, where she lives. Hayakawa earned a BA in ceramics and printmaking at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and an MFA at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She has taught at the Hartford Art School at the University of Hartford, Connecticut; Ohlone College in Fremont; and Skyline College in San Bruno.

Wynne has been painting in oil on canvas and panel since 1985. She currently uses digital photography as a means of abstracting tree images. She moves the camera as she shoots so that sunlight and leaves become streaks. She then prints the photos onto canvas, and reworks them in the studio, simplifying the composition and adding color and texture.

Artist Statement

In the spring of last year, I made a trip to Mount Tamalpais. I used to spend time there as a teenager with my friend Diane. We’d walk among fragrant bay laurel and madrone trees. It was sunny and quiet.

On my recent trip, the sun was blazing through the pale young oak leaves. I can’t paint the warmth or the scents, but I try to show this light in my paintings. 

In the fall, I visited Alpine Lake in nearby Fairfax. The sun barely penetrated the dark trees by the lake. I took some photos. You know how the camera is? It catches one moment, and you’re never going to see it again. 

Later at home I looked at these images and began to dream of shade, sun, and glowing colors. Let me take you to these places by way of the paintings. Let me show you a glimpse of life illuminated for a moment.

Visit Wynne’s website.