Meet Andrew Binkley

We had the good fortune of connecting with Andrew Binkley and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Andrew, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
My path as an artist seems to have been planted early – a seed that existed long before I had the language to understand it. From as far back as I can remember, I was drawn to making art. It was simply nature, something within me that was beginning to take root.

Over time, that seed was nurtured and began to grow. Studying art formally nourished it, strengthening its roots and instilling in me a strong foundation. Going to art school was a turning point – a clearer dedication to pursuing the life of an artist as well as opening my mind to what that truly means. To see art as a way of thinking with the mind, heart, and hands – a path of discovery and awakening. This shifted my focus beyond technique, encouraging me to explore ideas and concepts as the essential substance from which the work could grow.

Life’s conditions led me to become a Buddhist monk for several years, living in solitude and practicing meditation in the forests and caves of Thailand. That period was an even deeper rooting – an inward growth that was profoundly transformative. It shaped my perspectives on both life and art, grounding my practice in an ongoing exploration of impermanence, letting go, and acceptance.

Art holds the potential for awakening. Awakening to oneself and the world around us. An engagement with life and an openness to the unknown. I find it to be an incredibly fulfilling way of life and a way of continually growing while returning inward. From these ever-deepening roots, my work has sprouted into many branches and flowers. To live as an artist is to tend to this process, to trust its unfolding, and to remain open to what may bloom.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Hawaiʻi offers something far deeper than a list of destinations – it invites a way of being. My recommendation would be to slow down and truly connect with the environment. Spend time with the land, feel the warmth of the sun, the movement of the breeze, and the rhythm of the water. Let yourself become attuned to these elements rather than moving quickly past them.

Whether it’s sitting quietly in a forest or simply listening to the waves, there’s an opportunity here to shift out of distraction and into just being present. The islands have a way of inviting this connection, if we accept the offer. The invitation to lie back and rest, look up at the drifting clouds, and let go.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I feel a deep sense of gratitude toward my parents, whose support has been foundational throughout my life. From the very beginning, they nurtured my path as an artist – not only encouraging my creative pursuits, but allowing me the freedom to follow them wholeheartedly.

Beyond that, they’ve shown me through their own lives what it means to live with wisdom and compassion. My father, who recently turned 102, always possessed a sharp mind full of insight, and my mother, a deep heart full of care. Their presence and guidance have shaped not only my life, but the way I move through the world and approach my work.

In many ways, everything I hold most dear has grown from what they’ve given me.

Website: https://andrewbinkley.com

Instagram: @binkleystudio

Other: https://vimeo.com/andrewbinkley/surrender

Image Credits
All images provided by the artist, ©Andrew Binkley