Born in the Appalachian region in 1930, Hayslette began his studies at the American Academy and completed them at the Art Institute of Chicago, where he worked closely with Alexander Archipenko and Egon Weiner. He had his first one-person show at the age of sixteen. Hayslette's approach results from over twenty years as both an industrial and interior designe r. He founded Olympus Atelier in 1974. Having explored numerous artistic styles and images, it remains the creative process which is most important to Hayslette.
Some artists can just sit down and be happy with whatever happens.
When I begin a painting or a print, I don't leave many unanswered questions. Hayslette first makes a full-size pencil sketch on paper and even prepares color studies before he fully launches into a piece. I take a design approach to creating my work and like most designers, I use a lot of paper first. Hayslette has spent most of his recent years journeying, sketchbook in hand, throughout Asia and the Mediterranean. His composed, elegant serigraphs frequently offer hints of his intrigue with the East.