About the Artist Joan Hansen

*Biography*
Whether using watercolor, oil, or acrylic, Joan Hansen paints with passion and an eye for color. The award-winning vibrant paintings of landscapes, water scenes, wildlife, florals and wine themes express her love of color and nature. Hansen moved from Superior, Wisconsin to Bonita, California, in 1979. She received an Associate of Arts Degree, with Honors, from Southwestern College, and began exhibiting her work in 1986. Walter Foster Publishing, Inc. contracted Hansen to write and illustrate several art instruction products: a DVD entitled "Getting Started in Watercolor," which won an Award of Excellence for Best Art Product at the CHA show; and two art instruction books, Floral Scenes, and Flowers. Hansen is a contributing author for Florals & Botanicals, Landscapes, Color Made Easy, watercolor art instruction books, as well as Acrylic Painting, and Watercolor, which are project books for beginners. She is also a contributing artist in Painting Great Pictures from Photographs, published by Quarto Publishing in England. Splash III, and Splash IV, published by North Light Books, included her work in their books which reviewed the work of America’s best contemporary watercolorists. Hansen’s work has also been featured in a number of magazines. Several publishing companies have licensed Hansen’s art for a variety of products for the gift industry.	Museum exhibits include shows at the San Diego Museum of Art, the San Diego Natural History Museum, and the Bonita Museum & Cultural Center. Hansen’s work was selected as a finalist for The Directory of Illustration and Design’s 2000 competition, and she was invited to participate in RSVP’s 2001 exhibition at The Society of Illustrators’ Main Gallery in New York City. This extremely popular annual illustration competition received almost nine hundred submissions from all parts of the United States, as well as Canada, Germany, Japan, Mexico and South Korea. While working as an art consultant to elementary schools, Hansen taught students drawing and painting classes. In addition, her workshop students include art guild members, high school, junior college, and adult students throughout southern California. Hansen is a juror of art shows, and has given painting demonstrations for art product manufacturers in art stores in San Diego. Hansen has had many one-person shows and continues to participate in juried art shows. The San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park carried many of Hansen’s wildlife posters, and have had their logo included on numerous Hansen images. Her work is collected by individuals and corporations throughout the world.	Joan Hansen Her original paintings continue to be collected by individuals and corporations worldwide. Hansen also accepts commissioned work. To see examples of her commissioned paintings, click here . Dealer inquiries are always welcome. For more information about the art of Joan Hansen, please send an email to: joanhansenart@cox.net

*In Her Own Words*

My art career began at the University of Wisconsin-Superior. While working as an Administrative Assistant for the Dean of the College of Fine and Applied Arts, I visited the art studios and decided to take my first art class in 1975. Those first brush strokes were inspiring to me. I couldn't believe I was actually painting and creating a unique work of art! It was so energizing. After moving to California, I received an Associate Degree in Art, and continued to study with many fine artists, while raising three children with my husband.	As artists, we have the opportunity to express our unique thoughts and passions through the medium of our choice. Interwoven through my work are threads of organic line and luminous color. The organic line symbolizes my love of nature, and the luminous color expresses my continuing passion for the vibrancy of life. It intrigues me to capture and paint the illusive choreography in Nature’s eternal dance of light and shadow.	It is my sincere hope that you will enjoy my work and become one of my exclusive collectors. Come and enjoy nature through my eyes!

*A Note on Color*	*Sales Information*	*Copyright*
Please note that the color of the images on the computer screen will vary slightly from the actual image. Clarity is best on the actual artwork.	All sales are subject to availability, which will be confirmed when your order is placed. Prices are in U.S. dollars. Shipping, handling, and sales tax, where required, apply.	This web site, and all the images in it, are protected by copyright, and may not be reproduced, downloaded, or used in any way without the permission of the artist.