Betty Hay Freeland is one of Hawaii's most highly regarded artists, her compelling impressionist landscapes are widely collected. She portrays the staggering beauty of Hawaii with a tender touch.

Her perception of Hawaii is unlike that of any other artist. She began her painting career on location and continues to paint en plein aire. Betty Hay spends considerable time exploring all of the Hawaiian islands. She is Hawaiian/Caucasian with a notable Hawaiian ancestry. Many collectors feel that special insights and emotions experienced in viewing her art are due to this Hawaiian heritage and her passion for Hawaii. Her paintings bear a sensitivity that comes from her uninhibited familiar with the land. Many of her works provide an archetypal view of the "untouched Hawaii." Her gift is not so much with realistic portrayal, as with feeling and intrinsic qualities. It is said that her value as a chronicler of passing eras will be inestimable.

Born Betty Hay Wodehouse, in Kohala, on the Big Island of Hawaii, she graduated from Punahou School, attended the University of Colorado, and continued studies in New York City. In 1961 she returned to the islands, married George (Keoki) Freeland of Lahaina, Maui, in 1963. Betty Hay, Keoki, and their three grown children presently live on Maui.

Betty Hay began exhibiting her work on Oahu and Maui in 1969. She began one person exhibits in 1975, continuing those shows as well as taking part in special exhibitions throughout the state. She is active in the community, having served on a number of boards of non-profit organizations, and often donating work to their fund raisers.

In recent years many exciting events have transpired with her painting career. Verizon Hawaii purchased an image to grace the 2001-2002 Hawaii State Phone Directory cover. One of her pieces in the collection of the State Foundation for the Culture and the Arts was selected for the opening exhibit in the Hawaii State Museum. She had a feature article in Sunset Magazine, November 2001, and Plus 1 Living, design magazine published in Tokyo, Japan, November, 2003. The Paintings of BH Freeland, published by Limited Edition Press in 2002. In 2003, Betty Hay was on national television representing art at the Shops at Wailea, Maui. In 2006, Tedeschi Winery at Ulupalakua, Maui, released it's second label featuring the art of BH Freeland.

Maui Visitors Bureau used the image "Wailea Sunset" in marketing and promotions during 2005. Betty Hay has also done West Coast promotions for the Maui Visitors Bureau. Hawaii Westways AAA magazine choose Betty Hay as their celebrity Artist for January, 2008. Oc16 on HDTV has a feature on Betty Hay on their "Self Made on Maui ," June, 2010.

Betty Hay was an invited artist to the Islanders Plein Air Invitational held on Maui, February, 2006. She received an award of excellence from the Irvine Museum for her painting "Take Home Maui", and the Maui Giclee Artist choice award for "Plantation Course." She was the only female artist from Hawaii invited to participate in the Maui Plein Air Invitational, February, 2007, 2009, & 2011. Her painting "Ukumehame Valley" received the Kapalua Land Development award in 2009. "Moods of Ukumehame" received the Hawaiian Culture award of Honor Maui, Honor Hawaii, Feb. 2011.

A number of Betty Hay's reproductions have been released, now available in shops and galleries throughout the state. Please visit her current collections at Dolphin Galleries, the Shops at Wailea and Kings Shops, Kohala Coast,; Village Galleries, 120 Dickenson St., Lahaina, and Ritz Carlton-Kapalua; Cedar St. Galleries, Honolulu. Please visit www.bhfreeland.com for current events and new releases.

Major Collectors in Hawaii and the Mainland

Alexander and Baldwin
Bank of Hawaii
C. Brewer & Co
Cadinha & Co
Char Hamilton Campbell & Tom
Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii Resort
First Hawaiian Bank
First Hawaiian Credit Corp
Hartford Life
Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts
Kaiser Permanente
Kapalua Realty
Kapiolani Hospital
Maui Country Club
Merrill Lynch Honolulu
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Honolulu
Oahu Country Club
Pacific Bell Corporation
Pacific Club, Honolulu
Pali Momi Hospital
Parker Ranch
Plantation Restaurant, Kapalua
Punahou School
Purdue Pharmaceutical
Rush Moore & Craven
Scitor Corporation
The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua
Verizon Hawaii