ALAIN GAKWAYA
ARTIST

I was born in the beautiful country of Rwanda, the land of a thousand hills. My love for art began when I was in 3rd grade. My teacher asked me to draw for my entire class. Her belief in my vision even as a young boy, inspired me to create.
After moving to the US when I was 16, my passion for art continued to grow and evolve. Today, I paint to tell my story and the stories of my home, Rwanda. My pieces are inspired by every day life, women walking to market, children playing in the street and the lush, rolling hills. For me, art is emotional expression. It allows me to connect with myself and with others.
When I’m not painting, you can find me outside: biking, hiking and exploring our amazing world or fixing up my 1978 Toyota Chinook and traveling around the US while creating art.