"woman in red bra" Painting

Hayley was born in Johannesburg, South Africa and in 1984 immigrated to Los Angeles to pursue a career in cinema, dance and theatre. After a modicum amount of success, she segued into production design for film. As she evolved artistically, she moved into the medium of fine art, working with the figure as her primary subject. In 2009, Hayley entered the non-profit sector as a Board Member and then as Chair of Free Arts for Abused Children. She also held the position of Executive Director for an interim period of six months. “Empowering neglected, homeless and at-risk youth through the medium of art has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my life.” “My life as an adolescent was not always easy – making art was my escape into a world where I felt safe, where I could feel some sense of control.” Taking a break from working in front of the canvas to add Graphic Design to her portfolio, Hayley has now stepped back into her artist-studio. Starting with a series of self-portrait’s - an exploration of self... ARTIST STATEMENT I am intent on defining and capturing a moment, of expressing on canvas my experience of the internal life of my subjects that sit before me. With the use of photography I am also exploring the many aspects of myself, bringing to life a myriad of internal qualities. Using lush vibrant color, bold articulated shapes and richly textured brush strokes, I move into this posture in a synergistic and visceral way. I work in a variety of mediums including oils and acrylics and at times collage and mixed media, which transforms my perception of what I see by mixing it up in an exciting and creative way. I am enchanted by the human form and the nature and spirit inherent in these forms. I have always been a “seeker”. My art is influenced by my need to understand what lies beneath the surface of a person and translate that onto the canvas in the most authentic way I can. The sitter becomes the catalyst for my own reflections and musings as I navigate and engage in their interior world of emotion, beauty, ambiguity and sensuality. There is an ongoing internal dialogue and as it exposes itself onto the canvas, it is my hope that the viewer participates in this shared, powerful experience between artist and subject.