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Mavericks Turned Masters
Impressionists Have Long Dared to Paint Their Subjects Fearlessly and Boldly
Thursday, April 23, 2020
Louis Leroy was outraged. And the popular Parisian playwright, who also dabbled at painting and printmaking, was determined to expose an upstart group of artists—who had banded together to show their works in a new exhibition—for what he thought they really were: imposters.
Unlike the little boy of legend who dared to speak up in the public square and declare that the emperor was strutting about naked, Leroy confined his comments to print in a review he wrote for the April 25, 1874 issue of the satirical magazine Le Charivari. In the headline, he coined a mocking new term: “The Exhibition of the Impressionists,” taking that sobriquet in turn from the title of one of the paintings in the show: Impression: soleil levant (Impression: sunrise), by 33-year-old Claude Monet. Leroy’s description of the painting’s execution dripped with sarcasm: Impression—I was certain of it. I was just telling myself that, since I was impressed, there had to be some impression in it… and what freedom, what ease of workmanship! Wallpaper in its embryonic state is more finished than that seascape.
Louis Leroy, known as the man who
coined the term "Impressionism"
Rather than taking offense at such dismissive words, Monet and his cohort of artists in the show—including other rising but yet-to-be-heralded names like Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, Paul Cézanne, Camille Pissarro, Berthe Morisot, and Alfred Sisley—wore the term proudly. The Impressionists, as they came to call themselves, gained still more members, including the American painter Mary Cassatt, and went on to hold eight more group shows over the next twelve years, with well-attended exhibitions outside of France including London, Boston, and New York.
Members of the art-loving public saw in Impressionism what Leroy failed to appreciate. These were paintings that felt a world apart from studio works done in the then-prevailing Classical style, which were static and stodgy by comparison, or with the excessive idealization of the natural world so evident in Romantic Realism.
Horace Vernet, 1833, Paris
By contrast, Impressionism possessed a freshness and immediacy that resulted from executing the paintings at least partially en plein air, in the open air right on the scene, deftly combining loose brushstrokes with innate talent and solid studio training. In addition, Impressionists gained fresh approaches to color inspired in part by the theories developed earlier in the century by chemist Michel-Eugène Chevreul, who observed the ways in which certain tones could be heightened by the close proximity of others: “The greater the difference between the colors, the more they mutually beautify each other.” A movement had been born that for many people came to define the best of fine art.
Michel-Eugène Chevreul's Color Wheel
Daring to Be Different
Impressionists have often bravely taken the risk that their art and the intentions behind it might be misunderstood at first. Such daring is evident from those first officially “Impressionist” works by Claude Monet and his fellow artists to the emergence of California’s own version of Impressionism in the early 20th century, and then from a revival of the genre in the late-20th century to the rise of present-day painters working in their own dynamic reinterpretations—like Erin Hanson, with her often large-scale works created in a vibrantly energetic style that has become known as “Open Impressionism.”
"The Water Lily Pond", Claude Monet, 1904.
Image courtesy of the Denver Art Museum.
Yet, these aesthetic outliers all bravely persevered. Their efforts eventually were discovered and valued by art lovers who not only understood what they were doing but also ultimately came to appreciate their creations with finely discerning passion.
To gain such an aesthetic understanding, gallery and museum patrons who had been raised on works that aimed to faithfully reproduce the scenes they portrayed had to literally retrain their eyes. As the revered British art historian Sir Ernst Gombrich remarked in his book The Story of Art (1950), with reference to the dazzling array of rapidly executed brushstrokes necessary to capture a scene’s fleeting light in a plein-air scene: It took some time before the public learned that to appreciate an Impressionist painting one has to step back a few yards, and enjoy the miracle of seeing these puzzling patches suddenly fall into one place and come to life before your eyes. To achieve this miracle, and to transfer the actual visual experience of the painter to the beholder, was the true aim of the Impressionists.
The feeling of a new freedom and a new power which these artists had must have been truly exhilarating; it must have compensated them for much of the derision and hostility they encountered.
Needless to say, the avid sales and widespread adulation they ultimately enjoyed were no doubt exhilarating as well.
Under American Skies
Impressionism soon took hold among American artists who not only saw Impressionist shows in Boston and New York but also traveled and studied in France. Just a decade after French Impressionists exhibited their work on U.S. soil, the first show dedicated to the works of American Impressionists debuted in 1893 at the Chicago World’s Fair. Five years after that, the first organized group of American Impressionists formed in the northeastern United States, calling themselves “Ten American Painters,” an association more familiarly referred to as “The Ten.” Among them were such enduring names as John Henry Twachtman, Frank W. Benson, Childe Hassam, and Thomas Wilmer Dewing.
"Rainy Day" by Childe Hassam, 1916 (Image Courtesy of Princeton University Museum)
These artists, like their French antecedents, aimed to see the world afresh through their paintings. Some among The Ten came the hard way to their belief in and dedication to Impressionism. J. Alden Weir, another member, originally felt distaste for the movement: “I never in my life saw more horrible things,” he had remarked in 1877 in a letter he wrote home to his parents upon encountering works by the French Impressionists as an art student in Paris. “They do not observe drawing nor form but give you an impression of what they call nature. It was worse than the Chamber of Horrors.” By 1880, however, Weir had clearly changed his tune, even buying two works by Édouard Manet with proceeds from the sales of his own paintings.
Impressionism Comes to California
Just as the beautiful scenery and clement weather of France inspired so many of the first Impressionists, the “Golden State” of California began to move Impressionist painters to settle there in the final years of the 19th century and the first decade and a half of the 20th. A group of painters began working in the open air in and around the San Francisco Bay Area. But, following the devastating 7.9-magnitude earthquake that struck San Francisco on April 18, 1906, many of these artists headed southward to the frequent sunny days and beautiful coastline stretching from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles and on to Laguna Beach and still further south to San Diego.
Luminaries of Southern California’s booming plein-air movement included Austrian-born Franz A. Bischoff, who settled in South Pasadena in 1906; German-born William Wendt, who moved to L.A. that same year and became part of Laguna Beach’s growing arts colony six years later; and landscape painter Edgar Payne, who in 1917 moved first to Glendale, near Los Angeles, and then to Laguna Beach. These and others including Elsie Palmer Payne (Edgar’s wife), William Lees Judson, Benjamin C. Brown, Donna Schuster, Granville Redmond, Guy Rose, and Franz A. Bischoff transformed this part of the state into “one of the most remarkable and distinctive schools of regional American art,” according to the scholar Jean Stern, Executive Director of The Irvine Museum, who is widely respected as the foremost expert on Southern California’s plein-air movement.
Working as they did more than thirty years later than those who first brought Impressionism to light, these New World practitioners possessed the perspective to wax even more philosophically about what was now a tradition in which they painted. “The average artist, if he chooses, could render an exact drawing of what he sees,” mused Edgar Payne, for example. “Artistic work not only allows but demands some deviation from form and line. Just how far this may go depends on the viewpoint of each painter.”
Plein-Air in Modern Times
Following the first heyday of California Impressionism, so much of the history of art in the 20th century seemed to turn further and further away from conventional representational art. That may not come as a surprise when viewed as a response to the turbulence of two World Wars, the Great Depression, the Atomic Age, the Cold War, the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War, and other social upheavals. Expressionism, Fauvism, Cubism, Dadaism, Surrealism, Abstract Expressionism, and numerous other “Isms”—not to mention Pop Art—seemed to suggest that mere pretty pictures were somehow no longer relevant or worthy of serious consideration. Some critics even derisively began referring to the California Impressionists of the early 20th century as “The Eucalyptus School,” so named for the scenic Australian trees that had been widely planted throughout California by the state government and appeared in so many regional plein-air landscapes.
And yet, this condemnation came more from the art historians and critics than as a true reflection of what mainstream art lovers were buying. Indeed, early Southern California Impressionists like William Wendt and Edgar Payne went on painting fine canvases that garnered general attention well into the middle of the 20th century, when critics and curators statewide began focusing anew on California Impressionism, an interest that only grew stronger through the end of that century and into the current one.
"Saddleback Mountains", William Wendt, 1923. Image courtesy of ArtNet.com.
Meanwhile, new generations of Impressionists came onto the scene. The late Ray Strong, who passed away in 2006 at the age of 101, inspired and mentored plein-air painters in and around Santa Barbara, where he moved in 1960. In the 1990s, Pasadena-based artist Peter Adams, along with his gallerist wife Elaine Adams, revived the California Art Club, an association originally formed by Southern California’s first plein-air painters. Annual plein-air paint-outs and shows including major gatherings in scenic locations like Laguna Beach and Santa Catalina Island have come to attract major attention and showcase top Impressionists not just from California but also across the nation.
A Modern Maverick of “Open Impressionism”
Beyond such organized events, there are also mavericks in today’s Impressionist world, artists who have forged their own unique paths while holding dear the precepts that inspired their forbears. Prominent among such talents today is Erin Hanson, who now makes her home in northern San Diego.
"Carmel Lone Pine", Erin Hanson, 2020.
Like the earliest Impressionists, the Los Angeles-raised Hanson has long been captivated by color—at least since the age of 6, when she was crestfallen that the irises she had planted in the garden with her mother lacked the vibrant hues of Vincent Van Gogh’s “Irises.” Says Hanson, “I knew even then that art could be better than real life.”
Educated in bioengineering at UC Berkeley, from which she graduated in 2003, Hanson had long nurtured a love for art as well as for science, selling commissions and dog portraits when she was 10 years old and working in a mural studio since the age of 12, then teaching herself Japanese painting and comic-book illustration while pursuing her college degree. She picked up her brush anew a few years later when, soon after moving to Las Vegas to rock climb at Red Rock Canyon, she found an ideal landscape full of vivid colors to inspire her artistic juices.
"Irises in Vase", Erin Hanson, 2019.
Hanson committed to completing one painting a week, finding ample inspiration for that steady pace in the brilliantly rust-colored sheer rock faces, deep purple shadows, and brilliantly blue desert skies. Just as the first Impressionists had done more than 130 years before, she amplified such colors by juxtaposing them with contrasting and complementary tones in bold brushstrokes that captured the very energy of the landscape itself. Her only departure from tradition grew logically out of the fact that such grand landscapes seemed to call for oversized canvases that did not lend themselves to plein-air work. Instead, Hanson soaked in the landscape through early morning hikes and tactilely through her fingers while climbing, and she used a camera to capture the effects of light, which she would later use as loose reference material when painting in the studio. Her entire goal when painting was to recreate what it felt like to be out of doors and to be face-to-face with Mother Nature.
Soon, Erin Hanson’s explorations took her beyond her beginnings at Red Rock Canyon, and she devoted herself full-time to art that celebrated the expansiveness of the still-unspoiled great American West, from the stark desert beauty of Joshua Tree National Park to the lush vineyards of Northern California, from the rugged coastline of Carmel to the dramatic rock formations and verdant vales of Zion National Park. With over 2,000 original oil paintings completed so far in her 15-year career, she has already surpassed many of the past greats in terms of perseverance. She came to refer to her personal style with the term “Open Impressionism,” paying tribute not only to the artists of the past who have inspired her but also to the wide-open vistas of the landscapes that she paints. “The purpose of Open-Impressionism is to capture the true feeling of being outdoors, each painting more of an emotional work than a photographic representation,” says the artist. “And color is how I communicate that emotional moment.”
Sounds like an approach with which the Impressionists who came before her would fully agree.
by Norman Kolpas
ERIN HANSON is a life-long painter, beginning her study of oils as a young child. Her passion for natural beauty is seen in her work as she transforms vistas familiar and rare into stunning interpretations of bold color, playful rhythms and raw emotional impact. Her frequent forays into National Parks and other recesses of nature include backpacking expeditions, rock climbing, and photo safaris. Hanson's unique painting style has become known as Open Impressionism, which is now taught in art schools around the world. With hundreds of collectors eagerly anticipating her work and millions of followers online, Hanson has become an iconic, driving force in the rebirth of contemporary impressionism, and she is quickly recognized as a prolific, modern master.
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An in-depth look at the painting "Rays of Light"Painting In-Depth LookWednesday, July 31, 2019One of my favorite places to explore these unique desert landscapes are the many palm oases around Palm Springs and Indio. These hidden miracles of water and life are tucked away amid dry, arid mountain crevices. You would never know they existed until they appear suddenly in front of you, a bright green explosion of verdant plant growth. From ferns to shaggy palm trees, these plants gather around the running waters that spring from the San Andreas fault line. Read More → |
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An in-depth look at the painting "Rays of Light" Painting In-Depth Look Wednesday, July 31, 2019 One of my favorite places to explore these unique desert landscapes are the many palm oases around Palm Springs and Indio. These hidden miracles of water and life are tucked away amid dry, arid mountain crevices. You would never know they existed until they appear suddenly in front of you, a bright green explosion of verdant plant growth. From ferns to shaggy palm trees, these plants gather around the running waters that spring from the San Andreas fault line. Read More → |
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An in-depth look at the painting "Autumn Vineyards"Monday, July 15, 2019I was inspired by a late afternoon drive through the vineyards in western Paso. Oak trees gather along the lines of the hills, catching the warm afternoon light. The golden vines glimmer in colorful autumn hues. The brushstrokes are thick and impressionistic, conveying a sense of movement within the painting. Read More → |
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An in-depth look at the painting "Autumn Vineyards" Monday, July 15, 2019 I was inspired by a late afternoon drive through the vineyards in western Paso. Oak trees gather along the lines of the hills, catching the warm afternoon light. The golden vines glimmer in colorful autumn hues. The brushstrokes are thick and impressionistic, conveying a sense of movement within the painting. Read More → |
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Cypress Lights: Behind the ArtThursday, June 27, 2019We wanted to take a moment to look behind the scenes at one of Erin Hanson's newest paintings. Cypress Lights was painted in 2019 in her San Diego-based studio. We hope you enjoy this Erin Hanson interview about Cypress Lights. Read More → |
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Cypress Lights: Behind the Art Thursday, June 27, 2019 We wanted to take a moment to look behind the scenes at one of Erin Hanson's newest paintings. Cypress Lights was painted in 2019 in her San Diego-based studio. We hope you enjoy this Erin Hanson interview about Cypress Lights. Read More → |
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How to Light Your Artwork at HomeMonday, March 18, 2019One question we often hear from collectors purchasing paintings here at The Erin Hanson Gallery is “What is the best lighting solution to highlight this piece?” This is a topic close to our hearts here at the gallery, as an Erin Hanson painting looks different depending on the type of lighting used. Because the lighting of a piece is so vital to one’s enjoyment of the artwork, we wanted to take a deep dive into the various lighting you can utilize in your home to display your painting. Read More → |
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How to Light Your Artwork at Home Monday, March 18, 2019 One question we often hear from collectors purchasing paintings here at The Erin Hanson Gallery is “What is the best lighting solution to highlight this piece?” This is a topic close to our hearts here at the gallery, as an Erin Hanson painting looks different depending on the type of lighting used. Because the lighting of a piece is so vital to one’s enjoyment of the artwork, we wanted to take a deep dive into the various lighting you can utilize in your home to display your painting. Read More → |
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Artist ResourcesFriday, March 15, 2019I have put this collection of resources together as a way to inspire other artists to discover their own painting style and find their own niche in the art world. These resources will guide you on how to become a true master at your own style of painting, how to make a living as an artist, and see what the life of being an artist is really like. Read More → |
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Artist Resources Friday, March 15, 2019 I have put this collection of resources together as a way to inspire other artists to discover their own painting style and find their own niche in the art world. These resources will guide you on how to become a true master at your own style of painting, how to make a living as an artist, and see what the life of being an artist is really like. Read More → |
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Purchasing PrintsThursday, September 20, 2018Erin Hanson offers fine art prints directly to her fans and collectors, at www.erinhansonprints.com. Read More → |
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Purchasing Prints Thursday, September 20, 2018 Erin Hanson offers fine art prints directly to her fans and collectors, at www.erinhansonprints.com. Read More → |
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Collecting Erin Hanson OriginalsInformation for art collectorsThursday, August 23, 2018Learn about collecting Erin Hanson original oil paintings. Read More → |
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Collecting Erin Hanson Originals Information for art collectors Thursday, August 23, 2018 Learn about collecting Erin Hanson original oil paintings. Read More → |
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The Red Rock Collection ReleaseThe Erin Hanson Gallery presents The Red Rock ShowThursday, July 5, 2018The Erin Hanson Gallery presented Hanson’s newest collection of vibrant paintings on June 16, 2018. Each piece in the Red Rock collection featured bright, bold colors inspired by the National Parks and monuments of Utah, Arizona, Nevada and Colorado. Read More → |
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The Red Rock Collection Release The Erin Hanson Gallery presents The Red Rock Show Thursday, July 5, 2018 The Erin Hanson Gallery presented Hanson’s newest collection of vibrant paintings on June 16, 2018. Each piece in the Red Rock collection featured bright, bold colors inspired by the National Parks and monuments of Utah, Arizona, Nevada and Colorado. Read More → |
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Cowgirl Up! Awards Erin Hanson Best in Painting"North Canyon" Wins First PlaceSunday, April 15, 2018While every style is celebrated in the Cowgirl Up! exhibition and show, there are specific categories in which the various artists can be awarded special recognition. This year, we are honored to announce that Erin Hanson won “First Place Two Dimensional on Canvas” for her painting North Canyon. Read More → |
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Cowgirl Up! Awards Erin Hanson Best in Painting "North Canyon" Wins First Place Sunday, April 15, 2018 While every style is celebrated in the Cowgirl Up! exhibition and show, there are specific categories in which the various artists can be awarded special recognition. This year, we are honored to announce that Erin Hanson won “First Place Two Dimensional on Canvas” for her painting North Canyon. Read More → |
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Ocotillo Light: An In-Depth LookSunday, February 25, 2018The painting "Ocotillo Light" captures a scene from the southern edge of Borrego, where there are hundreds of ocotillo growing along the slopes leading up to the surrounding mountains. When the ocotillo bloom, their desert stalks turn from gray-brown to green, and the tips of their spider-like stalks bloom with bright red flowers that always remind me of birds of paradise. Read More → |
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Ocotillo Light: An In-Depth Look Sunday, February 25, 2018 The painting "Ocotillo Light" captures a scene from the southern edge of Borrego, where there are hundreds of ocotillo growing along the slopes leading up to the surrounding mountains. When the ocotillo bloom, their desert stalks turn from gray-brown to green, and the tips of their spider-like stalks bloom with bright red flowers that always remind me of birds of paradise. Read More → |
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Open Skies: An In-Depth LookFriday, February 16, 2018I have been painting Paso Robles for 8 years now, and it is still one of my favorite places to find inspiration. Although I have spent most of my life in California, growing up in Los Angeles and attending school at Berkeley in northern California, I never drove through the coastal wine country regions of central California until many years after I graduated college. I had seen the film "Sideways" and the wine tasting adventure looked like so much fun I just had to experience it for myself. So I ventured for the first time into the idyllic landscapes of Paso Robles. Read More → |
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Open Skies: An In-Depth Look Friday, February 16, 2018 I have been painting Paso Robles for 8 years now, and it is still one of my favorite places to find inspiration. Although I have spent most of my life in California, growing up in Los Angeles and attending school at Berkeley in northern California, I never drove through the coastal wine country regions of central California until many years after I graduated college. I had seen the film "Sideways" and the wine tasting adventure looked like so much fun I just had to experience it for myself. So I ventured for the first time into the idyllic landscapes of Paso Robles. Read More → |
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The Properties of Crystal LightFind out about the most popular series created by Erin Hanson.Thursday, February 15, 2018Erin Hanson’s Crystal Light series is one of her most popular collections of works. Each piece features a backlit landscape and seeks to illustrate the drama and beauty that light can bring to the natural world. While all of the Hanson pieces boast a striking understanding of light and shadow, the Crystal Light series really brings this to the fore. Read More → |
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The Properties of Crystal Light Find out about the most popular series created by Erin Hanson. Thursday, February 15, 2018 Erin Hanson’s Crystal Light series is one of her most popular collections of works. Each piece features a backlit landscape and seeks to illustrate the drama and beauty that light can bring to the natural world. While all of the Hanson pieces boast a striking understanding of light and shadow, the Crystal Light series really brings this to the fore. Read More → |
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Maple Path: An In-Depth LookSaturday, January 13, 2018I went to Japan over Thanksgiving to explore the famous fall colors in Kyoto. The mountains surrounding the city are full of Buddhist temples with incredible gardens and maple trees. My favorite part of Kyoto was Arashiyama Park, home to several beautiful temples and wide, expansive grounds of natural beauty. Read More → |
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Maple Path: An In-Depth Look Saturday, January 13, 2018 I went to Japan over Thanksgiving to explore the famous fall colors in Kyoto. The mountains surrounding the city are full of Buddhist temples with incredible gardens and maple trees. My favorite part of Kyoto was Arashiyama Park, home to several beautiful temples and wide, expansive grounds of natural beauty. Read More → |
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Kolob Light: An In-Depth LookSaturday, January 6, 2018Zion National Park has been a favorite haunt of mine for almost ten years. The landscape is quite varied, changing from high-altitude plateaus to steep cliffs of changing color, from slot canyons to river-bed scenery. I love visiting at different times of the year, seeing snow in January, yellow cottonwoods in the fall, and golden grass in the summer. Read More → |
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Kolob Light: An In-Depth Look Saturday, January 6, 2018 Zion National Park has been a favorite haunt of mine for almost ten years. The landscape is quite varied, changing from high-altitude plateaus to steep cliffs of changing color, from slot canyons to river-bed scenery. I love visiting at different times of the year, seeing snow in January, yellow cottonwoods in the fall, and golden grass in the summer. Read More → |
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How to Clean My Original ArtworkSaturday, November 25, 2017One common question we get asked at The Erin Hanson Gallery is “how do I clean my painting?” This is a vital piece of knowledge that every art collector should have in his or her repertoire. Whether you are a serious or casual collector, it’s important to know how to care for the pieces you cherish. Read More → |
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How to Clean My Original Artwork Saturday, November 25, 2017 One common question we get asked at The Erin Hanson Gallery is “how do I clean my painting?” This is a vital piece of knowledge that every art collector should have in his or her repertoire. Whether you are a serious or casual collector, it’s important to know how to care for the pieces you cherish. Read More → |
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The History of The Erin Hanson GalleryThursday, November 2, 2017I thought you would enjoy the story behind the creation of The Erin Hanson Gallery. About 8 years ago I was happily painting in my 3-car garage, located snugly in the Burbank hills with a great view overlooking Downtown Los Angeles.... Read More → |
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The History of The Erin Hanson Gallery Thursday, November 2, 2017 I thought you would enjoy the story behind the creation of The Erin Hanson Gallery. About 8 years ago I was happily painting in my 3-car garage, located snugly in the Burbank hills with a great view overlooking Downtown Los Angeles.... Read More → |
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The Modernization of ImpressionismA Look at Impressionism and its Influence on Erin Hanson's "Open Impressionism"Friday, October 20, 2017Since its inception, Impressionism has been an expression of independence from the constraints the world has placed upon art. Van Gogh, Monet, Degas, and the others who helped create this art form were seeking to break away from traditional art and dared to see the world differently. This theme has carried on from the origins of Impressionism in the late 1800’s into present. Read More → |
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The Modernization of Impressionism A Look at Impressionism and its Influence on Erin Hanson's "Open Impressionism" Friday, October 20, 2017 Since its inception, Impressionism has been an expression of independence from the constraints the world has placed upon art. Van Gogh, Monet, Degas, and the others who helped create this art form were seeking to break away from traditional art and dared to see the world differently. This theme has carried on from the origins of Impressionism in the late 1800’s into present. Read More → |
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"Oaks and Blooms" In-Depth LookErin shares her inspiration behind a recent painting inspired by Texas Hill Country.Tuesday, October 17, 2017I visit Texas every year in the spring, and I always make sure to spend a few days in the beautiful hill country near Austin and the countryside north of Houston. Texas is full of color in the spring, the trees and meadows bright with new green growth. Read More → |
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"Oaks and Blooms" In-Depth Look Erin shares her inspiration behind a recent painting inspired by Texas Hill Country. Tuesday, October 17, 2017 I visit Texas every year in the spring, and I always make sure to spend a few days in the beautiful hill country near Austin and the countryside north of Houston. Texas is full of color in the spring, the trees and meadows bright with new green growth. Read More → |
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Framing OptionsFraming an Erin Hanson Original Oil PaintingFriday, October 13, 2017I have experimented with many framing options over the years: a decade ago I taught myself how to use a miter saw and joining tools, and I was making my own frames out of fine cherry wood molding. I have framed my work in simple floater frames, traditional plein air frames, and elaborate baroque frames. I have hung many paintings without any frame at all, letting the artistically-finished edges stand un-covered for a more contemporary look. Read More → |
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Framing Options Framing an Erin Hanson Original Oil Painting Friday, October 13, 2017 I have experimented with many framing options over the years: a decade ago I taught myself how to use a miter saw and joining tools, and I was making my own frames out of fine cherry wood molding. I have framed my work in simple floater frames, traditional plein air frames, and elaborate baroque frames. I have hung many paintings without any frame at all, letting the artistically-finished edges stand un-covered for a more contemporary look. Read More → |
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The California Super BloomCalifornia Impressionist Captures the Natural PhenomenaSaturday, October 7, 2017California experienced a severe drought for several years which finally broke in the winter of 2017 when torrents of rain fell from the sky and turned California the most vivid shade of green we had seen in years. The wildflowers seeds had been waiting latent in the desert floor for several years, multiplying with each year of the drought. When the heavy rains finally arrived, the deserts erupted in a natural phenomena known as the "Super Bloom". Almost overnight the California desert and hills started turning orange, yellow and purple with a Super Bloom of flowers far more abundant than the typical spring bloom. So vibrant and widespread, it was even visible from space. Read More → |
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The California Super Bloom California Impressionist Captures the Natural Phenomena Saturday, October 7, 2017 California experienced a severe drought for several years which finally broke in the winter of 2017 when torrents of rain fell from the sky and turned California the most vivid shade of green we had seen in years. The wildflowers seeds had been waiting latent in the desert floor for several years, multiplying with each year of the drought. When the heavy rains finally arrived, the deserts erupted in a natural phenomena known as the "Super Bloom". Almost overnight the California desert and hills started turning orange, yellow and purple with a Super Bloom of flowers far more abundant than the typical spring bloom. So vibrant and widespread, it was even visible from space. Read More → |
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Limited Edition PrintsMonday, August 7, 2017Erin Hanson limited edition prints are now available. Read about the release here! Read More → |
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Limited Edition Prints Monday, August 7, 2017 Erin Hanson limited edition prints are now available. Read about the release here! Read More → |
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What is an Open Impressionism Frame?Thursday, June 1, 2017What are Open Impressionism frames? These hand-carved and gilded floater frames are a perfect bridge between the classic and the contemporary. Read More → |
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What is an Open Impressionism Frame? Thursday, June 1, 2017 What are Open Impressionism frames? These hand-carved and gilded floater frames are a perfect bridge between the classic and the contemporary. Read More → |
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How to Commission a Painting - ExampleSaturday, April 15, 2017Erin Hanson demonstrates the step-by-step process of commissioning a painting from an artist. Learn how to commission a painting to match the colors and style of your home. Read More → |
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How to Commission a Painting - Example Saturday, April 15, 2017 Erin Hanson demonstrates the step-by-step process of commissioning a painting from an artist. Learn how to commission a painting to match the colors and style of your home. Read More → |
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How to Commission a Painting - ExampleWednesday, March 15, 2017Erin paints over an antique floral painting from WW2-era, transforming it into a new commemorative painting of a sacred Colorado camp. Read More → |
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How to Commission a Painting - Example Wednesday, March 15, 2017 Erin paints over an antique floral painting from WW2-era, transforming it into a new commemorative painting of a sacred Colorado camp. Read More → |
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Erin Hanson Painting DetailsThings to Know When Buying an Erin Hanson PaintingSaturday, December 17, 2016This is an essay that describes the technique and materials used by Erin Hanson, including information about lighting and framing. Read More → |
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Erin Hanson Painting Details Things to Know When Buying an Erin Hanson Painting Saturday, December 17, 2016 This is an essay that describes the technique and materials used by Erin Hanson, including information about lighting and framing. Read More → |
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The Role of Impasto in ImpressionismWhy is impasto commonly used in Impressionism?Tuesday, November 1, 2016Impressionist paintings are distinct because of how the artist applies paint to the canvas. Impasto is a style that many impressionist painters have used since the birth of the art form. Read More → |
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The Role of Impasto in Impressionism Why is impasto commonly used in Impressionism? Tuesday, November 1, 2016 Impressionist paintings are distinct because of how the artist applies paint to the canvas. Impasto is a style that many impressionist painters have used since the birth of the art form. Read More → |
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Erin Hanson: The Orange Show Opening ReceptionCelebrating Striking Impressionism in Hues of OrangeThursday, October 6, 2016On Saturday, October 1st Erin Hanson's anticipated The Orange Show opened with ardent fans and steadfast collectors alike gathering to experience this unique collection. The various hues of orange contrasted beautifully against the midnight blue walls of her Los Angeles-based gallery. Read More → |
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Erin Hanson: The Orange Show Opening Reception Celebrating Striking Impressionism in Hues of Orange Thursday, October 6, 2016 On Saturday, October 1st Erin Hanson's anticipated The Orange Show opened with ardent fans and steadfast collectors alike gathering to experience this unique collection. The various hues of orange contrasted beautifully against the midnight blue walls of her Los Angeles-based gallery. Read More → |
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Artist Talk: Museum of Big BendInside the Rise of a Modern MasterWednesday, October 5, 2016Erin's talk covered her key sources of inspiration, she also discussed her rise from discovering the red rock canyons surrounding Las Vegas ten years ago through to her current status as a forerunner in an impressionistic resurgence. Read More → |
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Artist Talk: Museum of Big Bend Inside the Rise of a Modern Master Wednesday, October 5, 2016 Erin's talk covered her key sources of inspiration, she also discussed her rise from discovering the red rock canyons surrounding Las Vegas ten years ago through to her current status as a forerunner in an impressionistic resurgence. Read More → |
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An In-Depth Look into Erin Hanson's Anticipated ExhibitionErin Hanson: The Orange ShowThursday, September 29, 2016In Hanson’s upcoming The Orange Show, she dives deep into this color, capturing every tint of orange from amber to marigold. In this article, we take a closer look at each painting to be featured in the show. Read More → |
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An In-Depth Look into Erin Hanson's Anticipated Exhibition Erin Hanson: The Orange Show Thursday, September 29, 2016 In Hanson’s upcoming The Orange Show, she dives deep into this color, capturing every tint of orange from amber to marigold. In this article, we take a closer look at each painting to be featured in the show. Read More → |
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What is it Like to Get a Print from ErinHanson.com?Easy, Beautiful, High-Quality and Ready to HangWednesday, September 14, 2016We wanted to show you exactly what happens when you order a fine art print through The Erin Hanson Gallery: two weeks ago the team ordered a print of Erin Hanson's Saguaro Dusk, a spectacular piece focusing on Arizona's iconic landscape. We selected the white frame option to contrast the vibrant purples of the piece and the gallery's midnight blue walls. Read More → |
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What is it Like to Get a Print from ErinHanson.com? Easy, Beautiful, High-Quality and Ready to Hang Wednesday, September 14, 2016 We wanted to show you exactly what happens when you order a fine art print through The Erin Hanson Gallery: two weeks ago the team ordered a print of Erin Hanson's Saguaro Dusk, a spectacular piece focusing on Arizona's iconic landscape. We selected the white frame option to contrast the vibrant purples of the piece and the gallery's midnight blue walls. Read More → |
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How-To: Lighting Your Fine ArtTuesday, August 16, 2016Many art collectors have preferences for different types of lighting in their homes. Some prefer ambient lamp light while others would rather have spotlight-like track lights. No matter your preference, it’s important to understand that light affects each painting differently. Read More → |
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How-To: Lighting Your Fine Art Tuesday, August 16, 2016 Many art collectors have preferences for different types of lighting in their homes. Some prefer ambient lamp light while others would rather have spotlight-like track lights. No matter your preference, it’s important to understand that light affects each painting differently. Read More → |
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Introducing: Open Impressionism Vol IIWhat Inspires Erin Hanson?Friday, August 5, 2016"As viewers are flipping through my book, I want them to feel a sense of peace and I want to help inspire them to go beyond their everyday life. I hope this book inspires you to bring more color and beauty into your life." Read More → |
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Introducing: Open Impressionism Vol II What Inspires Erin Hanson? Friday, August 5, 2016 "As viewers are flipping through my book, I want them to feel a sense of peace and I want to help inspire them to go beyond their everyday life. I hope this book inspires you to bring more color and beauty into your life." Read More → |
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Art of Impressionism: A Love LetterThe Modernization of the Impressionist BrushstrokeMonday, June 6, 2016Impressionist painters of the past often used short, layered brushstrokes to create texture and depth in their paintings. This is where past masters and the modern Impressionist painter Erin Hanson diverge. As Hanson works, she practices an economy of motion not seen by past masters. For example, one length of an ocotillo may by created in a brushstroke by Hanson, while the traditional, “classical” impressionist would paint in small strokes or even dots. Read More → |
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Art of Impressionism: A Love Letter The Modernization of the Impressionist Brushstroke Monday, June 6, 2016 Impressionist painters of the past often used short, layered brushstrokes to create texture and depth in their paintings. This is where past masters and the modern Impressionist painter Erin Hanson diverge. As Hanson works, she practices an economy of motion not seen by past masters. For example, one length of an ocotillo may by created in a brushstroke by Hanson, while the traditional, “classical” impressionist would paint in small strokes or even dots. Read More → |
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A Profile of Borrego SpringsInspiration Comes Easily from this Vast California DesertTuesday, April 26, 2016Borrego Springs is a unique town. Surrounded by a 600,000-acre State Park in San Diego County, it is the only desert community in San Diego County. This town lays in a valley and is surrounded by desert. The land stretches out to the surrounding mountains. This makes Borrego Springs an incredible spot for beautiful color combinations. The startling blue skies are a glorious contrast to the sandy desert and wildflowers, which differ from the looming mountains. Read More → |
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A Profile of Borrego Springs Inspiration Comes Easily from this Vast California Desert Tuesday, April 26, 2016 Borrego Springs is a unique town. Surrounded by a 600,000-acre State Park in San Diego County, it is the only desert community in San Diego County. This town lays in a valley and is surrounded by desert. The land stretches out to the surrounding mountains. This makes Borrego Springs an incredible spot for beautiful color combinations. The startling blue skies are a glorious contrast to the sandy desert and wildflowers, which differ from the looming mountains. Read More → |
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The Inspiration of Zion National ParkErin Hanson explores the National Parks for inspiration.Tuesday, April 5, 2016One of Erin’s favorite National Parks to paint is Zion National Park in Utah. This park features landscape that is truly incredible and worth capturing through brush strokes and photographs. The park features stark panoramas, vibrant rock formations, lush landscapes, and extreme biodiversity. Read More → |
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The Inspiration of Zion National Park Erin Hanson explores the National Parks for inspiration. Tuesday, April 5, 2016 One of Erin’s favorite National Parks to paint is Zion National Park in Utah. This park features landscape that is truly incredible and worth capturing through brush strokes and photographs. The park features stark panoramas, vibrant rock formations, lush landscapes, and extreme biodiversity. Read More → |
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Field of Blooms: Erin's Largest Single CanvasThe Work in Progress of Hanson's Field of BloomsSunday, February 21, 2016A wide expanse of wildflowers sweeps across the canvas in this large oil painting. The expressionist movement of brush strokes captures the vibrancy and color of the poppies, thistles and daisies growing among the grasses. The abstracted shapes of the landscape come together in a harmony of motion and color. Read More → |
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Field of Blooms: Erin's Largest Single Canvas The Work in Progress of Hanson's Field of Blooms Sunday, February 21, 2016 A wide expanse of wildflowers sweeps across the canvas in this large oil painting. The expressionist movement of brush strokes captures the vibrancy and color of the poppies, thistles and daisies growing among the grasses. The abstracted shapes of the landscape come together in a harmony of motion and color. Read More → |
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Behind the Art: Canyon ColorDaybreak captured at Canyon de ChellyMonday, December 7, 2015Canyon de Chelly National Monument as captured by the swift brush of artist Erin Hanson. "Canyon Color" will be on display at the St. George Art Museum until May 28th, 2015 as part of their National Parks Centennial event. Read More → |
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Behind the Art: Canyon Color Daybreak captured at Canyon de Chelly Monday, December 7, 2015 Canyon de Chelly National Monument as captured by the swift brush of artist Erin Hanson. "Canyon Color" will be on display at the St. George Art Museum until May 28th, 2015 as part of their National Parks Centennial event. Read More → |
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Behind the Art: Woods of GoldGolden Aspens at the Cedar Breaks National MonumentSaturday, November 14, 2015Part of the 24 Karat Collection, Woods of Gold is a close up of the famous golden aspens of Cedar Breaks National Monument. Featuring a underlying layer of 24 karat gold leaf, it gleams with warmth to brighten any room. Read More → |
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Behind the Art: Woods of Gold Golden Aspens at the Cedar Breaks National Monument Saturday, November 14, 2015 Part of the 24 Karat Collection, Woods of Gold is a close up of the famous golden aspens of Cedar Breaks National Monument. Featuring a underlying layer of 24 karat gold leaf, it gleams with warmth to brighten any room. Read More → |
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Behind the Art: Vineyard of ColorA Slice of Paso Robles Wine CountryTuesday, November 3, 2015Paso Robles is shortened from the original name El Paso de Robles, which means 'The Pass of the Oaks.’ Paso Robles is wonderful place to visit - for the stunning landscapes and for a variety of activities. Read More → |
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Behind the Art: Vineyard of Color A Slice of Paso Robles Wine Country Tuesday, November 3, 2015 Paso Robles is shortened from the original name El Paso de Robles, which means 'The Pass of the Oaks.’ Paso Robles is wonderful place to visit - for the stunning landscapes and for a variety of activities. Read More → |
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How Should I Frame My Original Oil Painting?Framing Ideas for Gallery-Depth PaintingsTuesday, June 17, 2014Whether or not you decide to frame your gallery-wrap oil painting, it will be a beautiful and eye-catching addition to your room, bringing in a breath of color that is a joy to design around. Read More → |
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How Should I Frame My Original Oil Painting? Framing Ideas for Gallery-Depth Paintings Tuesday, June 17, 2014 Whether or not you decide to frame your gallery-wrap oil painting, it will be a beautiful and eye-catching addition to your room, bringing in a breath of color that is a joy to design around. Read More → |
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Seven Years of Art FestivalsSharing My Experiences with New and Aspiring ArtistsSunday, February 2, 2014Art festivals are the perfect way to take your art career into your own hands, gradually building your collector base until you can support yourself entirely on your fine art sales. Read More → |
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Seven Years of Art Festivals Sharing My Experiences with New and Aspiring Artists Sunday, February 2, 2014 Art festivals are the perfect way to take your art career into your own hands, gradually building your collector base until you can support yourself entirely on your fine art sales. Read More → |
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Erin Hanson: PasoScapes Demo of Open-ImpressionismReview of a Rare Painting DemonstrationMonday, October 28, 2013"Hanson’s paintings are bold, often times large in scale like the grandeur of her inspirations. Her loose “open” strokes and pure colors represent her singular vision to the beauty of the landscapes that surround her. When asked about her inspiration she says, 'whenever I find myself in a slump, I take a hike.'" Read More → |
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Erin Hanson: PasoScapes Demo of Open-Impressionism Review of a Rare Painting Demonstration Monday, October 28, 2013 "Hanson’s paintings are bold, often times large in scale like the grandeur of her inspirations. Her loose “open” strokes and pure colors represent her singular vision to the beauty of the landscapes that surround her. When asked about her inspiration she says, 'whenever I find myself in a slump, I take a hike.'" Read More → |
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How to Commission a PaintingCommissioning a Custom Oil PaintingFriday, May 3, 2013Do you love an artist's work but need a special painting for a certain wall in your home? Read More → |
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How to Commission a Painting Commissioning a Custom Oil Painting Friday, May 3, 2013 Do you love an artist's work but need a special painting for a certain wall in your home? Read More → |
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New Oil Paintings on BoardErin Hanson Presents a Series of Small Oil PaintingsSaturday, January 12, 2013Erin Hanson presents a new series of small oil paintings on board. Inspired by treks across Utah, Nevada and California, Erin transforms desert landscapes into a mosaic of color impressions. Read More → |
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New Oil Paintings on Board Erin Hanson Presents a Series of Small Oil Paintings Saturday, January 12, 2013 Erin Hanson presents a new series of small oil paintings on board. Inspired by treks across Utah, Nevada and California, Erin transforms desert landscapes into a mosaic of color impressions. Read More → |
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Erin Hanson Painting Plein AirPlein Air Painting in the Paso Robles Wine CountryWednesday, October 10, 2012It's always nice to take some time from my busy schedule and just observe the landscape around me, concentrating on mixing a new array of beautiful colors from my limited palette. Read More → |
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Erin Hanson Painting Plein Air Plein Air Painting in the Paso Robles Wine Country Wednesday, October 10, 2012 It's always nice to take some time from my busy schedule and just observe the landscape around me, concentrating on mixing a new array of beautiful colors from my limited palette. Read More → |
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What is the Best Lighting for My Painting?Thursday, August 30, 2012Natural ambient light will create a nice feel for your painting during the day, the colors subtly changing as the sun rises and sets during the day. At night, however, you will be fully reliant on artificial light. Read More → |
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What is the Best Lighting for My Painting? Thursday, August 30, 2012 Natural ambient light will create a nice feel for your painting during the day, the colors subtly changing as the sun rises and sets during the day. At night, however, you will be fully reliant on artificial light. Read More → |
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What is Open Impressionism?The Inspiration Behind Open ImpressionismThursday, August 23, 2012Fewer strokes is better in Open-Impressionism. Color choice is secondary. Texture and spontaneity are everything. Read More → |
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What is Open Impressionism? The Inspiration Behind Open Impressionism Thursday, August 23, 2012 Fewer strokes is better in Open-Impressionism. Color choice is secondary. Texture and spontaneity are everything. Read More → |