Hayden Burgess’ art inspires happiness and appreciation

29 Jun 2023

Hayden Burgess is an artist whose work exudes joy, positivity, and a touch of playfulness. His creations are characterised by a hint of Kawaii (meaning cute in Japanese) aesthetic, a cheerful atmosphere that instantly uplifts the viewer's spirits with bursts of bright Resene colours.

The idea behind Hayden’s work stems from the belief that life is short, and amidst our busy lives, we often overlook the beauty of the present moment. He encourages people to "stop and smell the roses," to be fully present, and to appreciate the abundance that surrounds us.

“My work is fun, playful, and positive,” Hayden says. “I aim to create art that makes people feel good, contemplate the transient nature of life, and choose happiness.” 

Hayden embarked on his artistic journey approximately 12 years ago when he started drawing and creating art while living in Berlin in early 2010. Art became an escape and a form of expression that he had never experienced before, providing him with a purpose in life — to continually improve his craft, enhance his skills and create exceptional work that brings joy to his own and others’ lives.

One of Hayden’s happy and uplifting canvas’ painted in shades including Resene Smitten, Resene Picton Blue and Resene Anakiwa.

Hayden acknowledges that resilience and persistence are crucial in the pursuit of mastery. He humorously reflects on his early experiences, saying, "The road to 'getting good' at something involves a lot of trial and error and plenty of crappy drawings!"

Although coming from various sources, it is evident that his art has been greatly influenced by the joy he experiences through his role as a parent. His children play a significant role in shaping his art, constantly reminding him of the importance of being present in the moment. Hayden believes in the importance of appreciating life's fleeting nature, and actively choosing happiness rather than relying on external circumstances or material possessions.

Having transitioned from a darker and moodier artistic style, Hayden now appreciates the brighter aspects of life, which is reflected in his work. As well as drawing inspiration from the ideas of presence, gratitude, happiness, and joy, he also pays homage to the Japanese culture and tattoo designs which have influenced him in his journey, particularly for their simplicity and boldness.

Hayden with one of his favourite pieces, his mural for Napier café, Hapi, painted in uplifting colours including Resene Adrenalin, Resene Smitten, Resene Lightning Yellow and Resene Anakiwa. 

When asked about his favourite piece, Hayden remembers a mural he created for Hapi, an organic café and store in Napier. The mural aimed to capture the essence of community, connection, and the power of nature. This piece holds a special place in his heart as it represents his growth as an artist and showcases the style that has come to define him. Notably, this mural also marked his introduction to working with Resene paints, a pivotal moment in his artistic journey.

Hayden adding the first touches to the Hapi Go Lucky Ice-cream truck in Napier. Paint colours include Resene Cabaret, Resene Lightning Yellow, Resene Anakiwa, Resene Picton Blue, Resene Hopbush, Resene Havoc, Resene Adrenalin and Resene Turbo.

Hayden’s design process begins with sketching ideas in his trusty sketchbook using pencil. He then transfers these sketches to Procreate, a digital platform where he refines and creates finished digital paintings. Lately, he has been exploring the creation of multi-purpose images that can be transformed into animations, always prioritising the enjoyment of the artistic process. From there, the final design is transferred to canvas, and Hayden brings it to life using Resene paints, which he chooses for their opaque and bold nature, which perfectly complements his artistic style.

Choosing Resene paints was a natural decision for Hayden. He sought a paint medium that offered opacity, boldness and a solid finish. After considering spray paint, a friend recommended Resene testpots, and he has never looked back. 

“The vibrant colours and the excitement of opening a Resene testpot continue to inspire me,” Hayden says. “When it comes to my colour palette, I keep it simple, favouring shades of pink, yellow, blue, and black for contrast.”

Hayden allows the simplicity of his forms to shine, with colours playing an integral role in telling half of the story in his art.

The finished ice-cream truck is painted in the bright shades of Resene Cabaret, Resene Lightning Yellow, Resene Anakiwa, Resene Picton Blue, Resene Hopbush, Resene Havoc,  and Resene Turbo.

Being an artist is not Hayden’s full-time job - he also runs a coaching business for creatives where he imparts business skills and strategies to designers and artists worldwide. Despite his busy schedule, he ensures that painting and creative work remain a priority. Hayden dedicates time on Fridays, evenings, and whenever he can manage, to put time into his creative work, and still be there to put his kids to bed. He is grateful to be represented by Richie and Elisa at Boyd Dunlop Gallery in Hawkes Bay, who have been unwavering supporters of his work. 

Among the multitude of beautiful Resene colours, Hayden finds it challenging to choose a favourite. However, he highlights Resene Cabaret as the perfect shade for bright pink flowers, Resene Tomorrow as a beautiful blue, reminiscent of a clear sky, and Resene Lightning Yellow as a bold and golden hue with excellent opacity.

“These three colours hold a special place in my heart, I could happily paint with them for the rest of my life,” Hayden says.

The Hapi Go Lucky ice-cream truck is a colourful community marvel that is hard to miss painted in Resene Cabaret, Resene Lightning Yellow, Resene Anakiwa, Resene Picton Blue, Resene Hopbush, Resene Havoc,  and Resene Turbo.

Hayden loves the quality of Resene paints. The combination of high quality paint and the extensive range of colours, makes it easy for artists of all levels to pick up a brush and get creating.

“Resene has undoubtedly played a significant role in supporting my artistic vision and allowing me to bring my vibrant imagination to life,” Hayden says.

Through his captivating and uplifting creations, Hayden will continue to spread positivity and inspire viewers to embrace happiness and appreciate the present moment – we can’t wait to see what he comes up with next.

Check out more of Hayden’s designs: www.instagram.com/grimoirestudios/

Published: 29 Jun 2023