John David Hawver: Artist and Steward of the Keys

Oil painter John David Hawver, one of the Florida Keys’ best-known artists, is soft-spoken, modest and friendly. While he loves the people of the Keys, he paints the 125-mile-long island chain’s unique environmental scenes and nature-scapes. 

“In my work, I like to use color — the colors of the water and the sky,” he said.

A former art teacher and magazine art director, Hawver described his personal style as a “hybrid of impressionism.” Many of his works are accented with dots, evoking pixels found in photographic images.

In the Keys, Hawver’s large oil paintings on canvas can be seen at public buildings including the Murray Nelson Government Center in Key Largo, Mariners Hospital in Tavernier, the Roth Building and Plantation Key Courthouse on Plantation Key, Morada Bay in Islamorada, and the historic Gato Building in Key West. On Florida’s mainland, his art is displayed at Ryder Trauma Center in Miami and the Broward County Medical Examiner’s Office in Fort Lauderdale.

Hawver’s works are also exhibited in major museums, prominent art galleries and at colleges and universities throughout South Florida and the U.S. 

His early life was spent in Binghamton, New York, but he moved to Hollywood, Florida, at age 10. Today the artist lives on Plantation Key, where people can visit his home studio, surrounded by hardwood hammocks, by appointment. 

Prints are displayed year-round at Islamorada’s Art on a Whim Gallery at Rain Barrel Village. Islamorada’s The Hale Gallery — founded by artist Taylor Hale, who fondly refers to Hawver as his mentor — recently showcased a dedicated exhibition of his original paintings titled “Closer to Home.”

The artist’s favorite activities include frequent kayaking, attending art gallery events and, he said jokingly, sleeping since it restores creativity. Hawver and wife Marcia, also an artist and educator and a costume designer-creator, are planning further involvement with Keys environmental groups.

Keys Traveler: When did you first come to the Florida Keys and why?

John David Hawver: In the early ’90s. My girlfriend’s family had a weekend retreat in Lower Matecumbe, which we would “borrow” whenever available. This led to meeting some locals and finding and sometimes creating opportunities. Like a red mangrove seed, we stopped in one place, put down a root, put out another root, and next thing we knew, we became part of the island landscape — still putting out roots.

KT: What aspects of the Keys environment or way of life matter most to you? 

JDH: The ever-changing light on the water. There is a unique and special quality, not only to the environment, but also to the people who inhabit these islands. People here are very friendly, giving, loving.

KT: Who or what inspired you to become passionate about respecting and protecting the Keys’ natural world? 

JDH: Marjory Stoneman Douglas comes to mind. I had the good fortune to meet her on her 103rd birthday at an art opening. Author Carl Hiaasen’s wit and sarcasm speak volumes about what was, and what is being done to and for Florida.

KT: How does that passion influence your work or profession?

JDH: Artists must have passion, imbued in the canvas. My work is all about the natural environment. 

KT: What are some of the ways, personally or through your work, that you connect with and/or help protect the local environment and unique lifestyle? 

JDH: This whole process is circular. I go out into nature and if I see something that attracts me visually, I go back to the studio and digest, interpret, transform and simplify the image to my taste. To complete the process, the work now needs to be seen.This is very important to me to get feedback — positive and negative. My work cannot exist without this full process.

KT: What keeps you energized, challenged and focused on your path?

JDH: Many people have expressed to me that, after seeing my paintings, it changes the way they see the environment. 

KT: What do you hope your positive environmental actions will accomplish? 

JDH: After coming to the Keys, I became a painter of the colors of nature. I hope my admiration for the beauty of our unique environment inspires others to enjoy and protect our water and shoreline.

KT: What’s your favorite natural or eco-friendly activity in the Keys?

JDH: Kayaking. This allows me to go slow and really see things. I can experience the minimal beauty of the open ocean, and I can also get way back in the mangroves in the tiny creeks and hidden lagoons. It’s very quiet and calming.