The subjects of my work are family members and friends painted against the backdrop of Kansas and the iconography and memories of my childhood - wood paneling, taxidermy deer, catfish, hunting, the big sky and open plains.

Jacob Hayes earned his BFA in painting from the University of Kansas and completed his MFA in 2014 at the New York Academy of Art where he studied oil painting.

Hayes’ paintings have been featured in both solo and group exhibitions including the “BP Portrait Award Exhibition” at the National Portrait Gallery, London, “Artists by Artists” at Forum Gallery, New York, “About Face” at the South Hampton Art Center, South Hampton NY, and “Summer Exhibition” at Flowers Gallery, NY.  Career highlights and link to Jacob’s CV below.

Jacob currently lives and paints in Kansas.

Awards and Career Highlights

Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition

2019 Semifinalist, Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition 2019, National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC

New American Paintings

Chosen to be featured artists in 2022 edition New American Paintings, West Issue #156

BP Portrait Award

Finalist, BP Portrait Award 2016 Exhibition, National Portrait Gallery, London. The exhibition also traveled to the Usher Gallery in Lincoln and the Scottish National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh.

One of 53 portraits selected from over 2,500 submissions by artists from more than 80 countries

Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation

Grant recipient in 2018, for artists working in a representational style and demonstrate the determination and talent to pursue lifetime career in their art practice.

Eric Fischl Artist-in-Residence

Eric Fischl Artist-in-Residence, West Nottingham Academy, Maryland, Spring 2017

Artist Residency in Istanbul, Turkey

Selected to participate in new month-long residency through New York Academy of Art, 2014

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