West Coast Monochrome Painter James 'Jimmy' Hayward Dies at 81

James 'Jimmy' Hayward, an influential figure in West Coast monochrome painting, passed away this morning at the age of 81. Born in San Francisco in 1943, he spent the majority of his life in Los Angeles, becoming a key player in post-minimal and monochrome movements. For more than four decades, Hayward rigorously investigated gesture, materiality, and the act of painting itself. His unique style featured richly textured surfaces created with thick oil paint, applied in intentional diagonal strokes. Known for his connection to West Coast abstraction, he crafted a distinctive monochrome technique. Recently, he lived in an airstream on his horse farm in Moorpark, California, embodying a blend of philosopher and cowboy. His artistic contributions significantly enrich the region's legacy.