There’s something so fun about Dayna's work. The neon color palette, the playful jokes, the quintessentially local scenes and the spirit of liveliness that somehow feels both nostalgic and modern. Think of a silly, cheeky mynah bird with a self-satisfied little grin, a greeting card featuring street signs that read “Choke Stoke For You” or a jolly surfer wahine wearing a magenta-hued mu‘umu‘u. It’s Hawai‘i today, and the Hawai‘i as this generation remembers it—a tricky balance to strike that is a true testament to the skill and heart of the artist behind it.

Perhaps Dayna walks that line so well because both art and Hawai‘i have always been central to her life. Art was a safe space where her creativity could flourish, and growing up in Hawai‘i Kai, Dayna was immersed in the rich artistic traditions of her family. Both of her grandmothers were seamstresses. One even ran a dress shop in Honolulu during the 1960s. Her childhood was filled with the vibrant textures of vintage fabrics and the hum of an old Singer sewing machine. “I’d dig through my grandmother’s sewing rooms and boxes of fabric,” Dayna recalls. “Those memories are ones I want to preserve forever through my art.”

Her exposure to craftsmanship and beauty left a lasting imprint, but despite dabbling in many creative fields—fashion, photography, jewelry and even baking—Dayna never felt truly fulfilled. It wasn’t until a sudden life disruption that she fully embraced her quiet passion for illustration.

That disruption came with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. After years of working a corporate job, Dayna was unexpectedly let go, and gatherings quickly ceased. Suddenly, she had more time than she knew what to do with. In the isolation that followed, she turned to drawing. What began as a form of self-expression soon became something more. It evolved into a creative outlet that eventually grew into a small business. “It kind of grew legs as opportunities started to trickle in,” Dayna says. “It quickly became less of a hobby and more of a brand.”

Transitioning from a structured corporate job to freelance illustration was daunting and liberating. With no boss to guide her or coworkers to share victories with, Dayna experienced a new kind of freedom. “I used to feel guilty taking time off for things like doctor’s appointments or my kids’ activities,” she reflects. “Now, I make my own hours and schedule my work around my life. It’s been life-changing.”

Her Hawaiian upbringing deeply inspires Dayna’s work. “Hawai‘i has always been at the center of my art,” she shares. The island’s unique blend of traditions, food and familial ties pervades her creations. Childhood memories—like trips to the crack seed shop with her grandmother or folding manapua boxes with her grandfather—have become the foundation of her art. These moments, full of warmth and nostalgia, are immortalized in her illustrations. For Dayna, her art is about connection—not just with her audience, but with the past and the present. “I think of my art like an inside joke, a shared memory that pulls people together,” she says.

Her creative process is deliberate and thoughtful. “Who is the art for? What’s the message? What feeling do I want them to take away?” These questions guide her work, making it more than just about visual aesthetics. “I visualize in color first, which is a bit backward,” Dayna admits, “But it helps me answer those fundamental questions.” Color plays a key role in her process, often shaping the mood and theme of her work before she even picks up a pencil.

Whether she’s creating illustrations, patterns or murals, Dayna’s art reflects both her roots and her vision for the future. One standout project was her mural for Hawai‘i Walls, a prestigious art festival in Hawai‘i. The mural at Pu‘uhale Elementary depicts local animals set against a vibrant Hawaiian landscape. Seeing how the children interacted with the mural was a highlight for Dayna. “Watching the kids engage with the art was the icing on the cake,” she says with pride.

Looking ahead, Dayna is optimistic about her growing brand. She’s particularly passionate about editorial work and mural installations and hopes to explore more opportunities in both areas. “I’d love to do a mural in Japan. It’s something I would manifest,” she says. She plans to continue sharing her work with the world through collaborations with local businesses and on her website.

For Dayna, however, the journey isn’t about a fixed destination. It’s about the ongoing process of growth and self-discovery. “I’m not sure where my art career is going,” she reflects. “But as I keep going, certain projects resonate with me more than others.”

Through her art, Dayna remains connected to her roots, her family’s legacy and the island that shaped her. Whether through a mural, an illustration or a simple online drawing, she’s not just creating artwork. She’s building bridges—bridges between cultures, generations and memories—one piece at a time.

Learn more about Kelsie’s art at kelsiedayna.com.