Phil Haysmer Art

500 sf of art space

Phil painting carved piece

When we moved into our new home in Volcano Village on the Big Island of Hawaii last year, our first priority was building an art studio where, during these winter months, we've been spending a lot of time.

The whole family hangs out in the art studio where we have huge windows for natural light, an energy efficient propane heater and Pandora tunes to sing along with. Our three corgi dogs also like to hang out with us in the studio.

Commission piece - Canoe of Women

Completed 'Alala - Hawaiian Crow
carved in Monkey Pod Wood

"click" on any photo to enlarge

Gluing support board to 'Alala piece

Since the outbreak of Covid19, we've been staying home more -- making more time for art. Here are some photos of Phil in his art space as well as some of the process that goes into his pieces.

Koa Wood - 'Alala

Phil has been having fun exploring relief work in a variety of local woods and has been selling his pieces, both through his galleries as well as through some commission pieces.

Hawaii Island conservation groups have been working to re-introduce the near-extinct Hawaiian Crow to it's native forests so two of Phil's latest pieces are of the 'Alala
 -- Learn more about the 'Alala

Hawaiian Crow

COME-BACK-CROW!! From extinction in 2002 to a return to its native habitat. One of the wonderful perks about living in Volcano is we are only a couple miles from so many wonderful activities, cultural, scientific, and ecological. Click on links below to learn more:

Info about Volcano Art Center
Volcano National Park Info

Last week we attended a presentation about the reintroduction efforts to return the Hawaiian Crow 'Alala to its original habitat.

Tool User

The ʻAlalā Project with the San Diego Zoo (who introduced their own captive breeding stock} have been working with this unique species. The 'Alala is a highly intelligent bird that is integral to native Hawaiian ecosystems and culture. There are over 100 crows currently being raised in captivity, and over two dozen now living in the forests being monitored to track their territory, feeding habits and interaction.

During the presentation we learned that of the most recent releases to the wild, two pair of male and female birds have begun to defend their territories -- which project members hope means nesting. If this happens, it will be the first crow chicks in a very long time. Article - Return from Extinction