GARY ACKERMAN

With a focus on impressionism, Gary Ackerman has developed a reputation for his free liquid style with deep layered texture and vibrant rich colors that make a wall pop.  His work is bold, diverse and uniquely imaginative.  His strong sense of form and composition has led him to international acclaim and collectors world wide. 

50 Years ago, Gary Ackerman moved to the Big Island of Hawaii and eventually bought the 100 year old plantation building that is now the Ackerman Galleries in Kapaau, Hawaii. 
 

Ackerman grew up in Los Angeles, CA and at a very young age began drawing and seeing the world as art.  He attended classes at the Art Center School and UCLA to study painting.  Because he was good at drawing he was able to become an architect for the army, helping to draw plans and that kept him from being drafted.  His early success as a water colorist gave him inspiration to start teaching in LA in a small studio where he soon had many clients that came to learn from the young artist.  He traveled to France to study all the great impressionist artists and also attend the Sorbonne in Paris for classes.  Years later he began to exhibit his work around the country.  While living in Grants Pass Oregon, he and a few others founded the Grants Pass Art Museum and was a major part of the rising "Back to the land movement".  While on a healing journey from illness, a friend of his told him about Hawaii and how peaceful it was and he then found his way to The Big Island of Hawaii where he was a major pioneer of the arts on the island.  He resides in North Kohala along with his lovely wife, Yesan.  Yesan is from Hong Kong and is an adventurous business woman that began her career as a flight attendent for Pan Am.  Together with their creative intellect, they started the Ackerman Galleries in North Kohala and were trail blazers for a thriving arts community.  Gary has been showcasing his work for over 50 years. 

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