Born and raised in Hawaiʻi, Matthew and Roxanne Ortiz are a husband and wife art duo who collaborate under the name Wooden Wave. Their work has a hand-drawn aesthetic that reflects a playful sensibility and appreciation for draftsmanship. Frequently using treehouses as their subject matter, the art of Wooden Wave presents a whimsical take on the notion of the sustainably integrated community. The treehouse, as a symbol, exudes a nostalgic sense of possibility and represents the ultimate icon for adventure. But beyond the obvious romanticism of a dwelling built in the canopy, the inclusion of solar panels, water catchment, aquaponics, and green roof systems make each composition relevant to the environmental issues of today.
In addition to Hawaii, they have painted murals in California, Washington, Nevada, Massachusetts and Washington, DC. Wooden Wave also specializes in illustration and design, having done logos and apparel images for a variety of clients including comedian George Lopez and boxer Floyd Mayweather. They’ve designed shoe collections for the footwear company Olukai, and continue to do creative work for the brand. Roxy and Matt have exhibited their fine art paintings in Hawaii and abroad, including two exhibitions with the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center. In 2019, Matt was a contestant on NBC’s craft competition show, “Making It.”