The Artist Behind the Happy Art
Meet Welzie
Welzie builds his artwork the same way he learned to build surfboards at fifteen — starting with shaped foam, laying fiberglass, and building up resin backgrounds full of color. From there, he hand-paints every image using Posca paint pens, then finishes each piece with a hot coat, gloss, and polish.
The result is artwork with the depth, shine, and texture of a surfboard — because it is one. It's a medium entirely his own, born from a lifetime of loving both the ocean and the act of making things by hand.
From Santa Cruz to North Shore
Hawaii is Calling
Welzie grew up in Santa Cruz, California, and got his first job building surfboards at fifteen — the start of a lifelong pull between the ocean and making things by hand. He went on to study fine art at the University of Hawaii, then spent nearly twenty years on Oahu's North Shore, where his two worlds finally collided. With his best friend Carl, he started Two Crows, a surfboard company built on creative freedom, and began covering boards in the loose, colorful, freestyle imagery that would become his signature.
Over time, the art outgrew the boards. Carl took over the shaping, Welzie turned fully to fine art, and his work was soon picked up by Wyland Galleries, where he showed for years. In 2019, he brought it all to Maui — opening his own signature gallery at the Andaz Maui at Wailea as their Artist in Residence.
Andaz Resort at Wailea
Artist in Residence
Since 2019, Welzie has called the Andaz Maui at Wailea home, creating an immersive art experience designed to bring more joy, color, and connection to every guest's stay.
Inspired by the meaning behind the Andaz brand—unique personal style—Welzie's artwork reflects a playful, unmistakable creative voice rooted in the spirit of Maui. The gallery serves as both a destination and a starting point for discovering art throughout the property.
Welzie creates new installations regularly, giving return guests something fresh to discover. From large-scale sculptures and murals to interactive experiences and hidden surprises, art is woven into the fabric of the property.
We have created ways to interact with the art as simple as walking the grounds to participating in art classes
Together, Welzie Art and the Andaz Resort, Maui create meaningful opportunities for guests to connect with creativity, community, and the unique energy of the island.
Surfboards and Art
A Medium of His Own
Welzie builds his artwork the same way he learned to build surfboards at fifteen — starting with shaped foam, laying fiberglass, and building up resin backgrounds full of color. From there, he hand-paints every image using Posca paint pens, then finishes each piece with a hot coat, gloss, and polish.
His artwork has the depth, shine, and texture of a surfboard, because it is one! It's a medium entirely his own, born from a lifetime of loving both the ocean and the act of making things by hand.
Making you Smile Every Day
Happy Art - Happy Home
We believe that the spaces we create and the things we surround ourselves with influence how we feel every day. Welzie's artwork is intentionally designed to spark joy, inspire connection, and make people smile. Through bright colors, playful storytelling, and uplifting imagery, each piece serves as a reminder to embrace the moments that matter most.
We also believe that collecting art should be accessible. While each original artwork is one of a kind, we want the joy and connection found in the artwork to be available to as many people as possible. Alongside Welzie's originals we offer a collection of limited-edition aluminum giclées that beautifully capture the spirit and vibrancy of the original works.
Because when happiness lives in your home, it naturally finds its way into the world.
Staying Inspired
The Life Behind the Art
The inspiration is endless because it comes from living. Every adventure, memory, and meaningful moment has the potential to become artwork. Welzie's pieces are often born from real experiences and transformed into colorful visual stories that invite viewers to find their own connections and interpretations within the work.
There is something special about Hawaii
Bringing Maui Home
Maybe it's the warmth of the sun, the color of the ocean, the people you meet, or the feeling of slowing down and reconnecting with what matters most. Whatever it is, Maui has a way of capturing your heart—and once it does, a piece of it stays with you forever.
Art has a unique ability to reconnect us with the places, people, and moments we love. When you find a piece that speaks to you, it becomes a daily reminder of those experiences and the emotions they carry.
Our hope is that your Welzie art piece brings aloha and the spirit of Maui into your home, filling your space with color, happiness, connection, and the memories that matter most.
We look forward to welcoming you to the gallery.