How I Make My Art Career Work by Erin Hanson
in Association with Artists and Illustrators Magazine
Saturday, September 2, 2023
In this interview, Erin Hanson tells how she traded her plans of becoming a NASA scientist for Open Impressionist painting. Here is her story in her words:
Becoming a full-time artist was a gradual process for me. I didn’t “quit my day job” until I was already booking museum shows and had sold hundreds of pieces. I probably could have transitioned sooner, but I spent four years taking the proceeds from my art sales and putting it back into my art business: I bought supplies, a good travel van, a great show set-up, etc. The day finally came when it didn’t make sense to continue working my “job” job, and my husband helped encourage me to take the leap to creating art full-time. He pointed out that every day I wasn’t painting, I was actually losing money.
I start my day by waking up at 6:30 AM, snuggling with my little girl. After she heads off to school, I make my way to the gallery, driving 20 minutes through the winding country roads of Oregon wine country. I work on administrative tasks in the morning and paint every afternoon until dinnertime.
I do commissions occasionally, but most of my income comes from selling oil paintings of whatever I choose to paint. I also make about a third of my income selling canvas prints and 3D Textured Replicas, a technique I developed to make the most realistic art reproductions on the market today.
Open Skies by Erin Hanson
I began taking oil painting classes at age eight and continued studying art through high school, getting a scholarship to Otis College of Design and working in a mural studio for a few years as a teenager. When I went to college, however, I got my degree in Bioengineering at UC Berkley with the intent of becoming a NASA scientist or similar. But art was my true love, and I returned to painting soon after.
My style is “open impressionism,” a contemporary style of impressionism with a dash of expressionism and a plein air feel. I adopt the vibrant colors of nature, accentuating the jewel tones and prismatic qualities of contrasting light. I capture those transient moments of startling light and color to share my love of nature.
Cypress Dusk by Erin Hanson
Find out more about Erin Hanson’s open impressionist style by exploring her portfolio here.
Erin’s Tips for Becoming a Full-Time Artist
1. Complete one painting a week
Finishing paintings in volume is how you create a unique and recognizable style, improve your art skills quickly, and have enough artwork on hand to sell and make a living as an artist.
2. Do lots of outdoor art festivals
Art festivals are inexpensive to participate in, and you can practice selling, marketing, and describing your art.
3. Represent yourself
Keep in touch with everyone who buys artwork from you regularly. Share your new paintings, stories about your inspiration, and behind-the-scenes tidbits. Someone who buys a print today as an impulse buy can become a mega-fan later, a future originals collector, and a big source of word of mouth.
Happy painting!
ERIN HANSON has been painting in oils since she was 8 years old. As a young artist, she worked at a mural studio creating 40-foot-tall paintings on canvas, while selling art commissions on the side. After getting a degree in Bioengineering from UC Berkeley, Erin became a rock climber at Red Rock Canyon, Nevada. Inspired by the colorful scenery she was climbing, she decided to paint one painting every week for the rest of her life. She has stuck to that decision ever since, becoming one of the most prolific artists in history. Erin Hanson's style is known as "Open Impressionism" and is now taught in art schools worldwide. With thousands of collectors eagerly anticipating her work and millions of followers online, Hanson has become an iconic, driving force in the rebirth of contemporary impressionism.
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(For Artists) Commonly Asked Questions About Open ImpressionismA Look at Erin Hanson's Technique and Artist's ToolsTuesday, February 28, 2023Here are answers to commonly asked questions about Erin Hanson's painting style, Open Impressionism. Read More → |
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(For Artists) Commonly Asked Questions About Open Impressionism A Look at Erin Hanson's Technique and Artist's Tools Tuesday, February 28, 2023 Here are answers to commonly asked questions about Erin Hanson's painting style, Open Impressionism. Read More → |
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When to Stop PaintingA Note from Erin HansonFriday, January 14, 2022How do you know when a painting is done? How do you stop a painting from becoming overworked and muddy? Learn about how impressionist artist Erin Hanson knows when to stop painting. Read More → |
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When to Stop Painting A Note from Erin Hanson Friday, January 14, 2022 How do you know when a painting is done? How do you stop a painting from becoming overworked and muddy? Learn about how impressionist artist Erin Hanson knows when to stop painting. Read More → |
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What Color Wall Looks Best with My Painting?Thursday, January 14, 2021I want to share with you my experience with using colored accent walls to set off a piece of artwork. Most homes are painted in neutral off-white or pale beige like in the picture above. I want to show you what happens when you paint the wall behind the painting (or the whole room) in a different color, in order to make the room part of the artwork. Read More → |
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What Color Wall Looks Best with My Painting? Thursday, January 14, 2021 I want to share with you my experience with using colored accent walls to set off a piece of artwork. Most homes are painted in neutral off-white or pale beige like in the picture above. I want to show you what happens when you paint the wall behind the painting (or the whole room) in a different color, in order to make the room part of the artwork. Read More → |
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Learn How to Frame a PaintingFriday, September 27, 2019The sad reality is that much of our most interesting and beautiful artwork is stored within our homes, in boxes in the attic, garage or collecting dust on a shelf. Read More → |
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Learn How to Frame a Painting Friday, September 27, 2019 The sad reality is that much of our most interesting and beautiful artwork is stored within our homes, in boxes in the attic, garage or collecting dust on a shelf. Read More → |
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Artist ResourcesThursday, March 14, 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 Thursday, March 14, 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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How Does Copyright Work for Artwork?Copyright helps an artist retain ownership for his/her work.Friday, December 14, 2018Copyright is essential protection for artists. The fact that a piece of art is unique makes it valuable, so safeguarding that one-of-a-kind piece is vital to any artist who wants to make a living. Read More → |
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How Does Copyright Work for Artwork? Copyright helps an artist retain ownership for his/her work. Friday, December 14, 2018 Copyright is essential protection for artists. The fact that a piece of art is unique makes it valuable, so safeguarding that one-of-a-kind piece is vital to any artist who wants to make a living. Read More → |
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What is Resale Royalty?Resale royalty right or “droit de suite”Saturday, March 24, 2018While resale royalty right is not universal in America, the state of California implemented the Resale Royalty Act (CRRA) in 1976. This states that a 5% royalty applies to artworks worth over $1,000 that are resold for a gain. Read More → |
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What is Resale Royalty? Resale royalty right or “droit de suite” Saturday, March 24, 2018 While resale royalty right is not universal in America, the state of California implemented the Resale Royalty Act (CRRA) in 1976. This states that a 5% royalty applies to artworks worth over $1,000 that are resold for a gain. Read More → |
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How to Clean My Original ArtworkFriday, November 24, 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 Friday, November 24, 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 GalleryWednesday, November 1, 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 Wednesday, November 1, 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 Role of Impasto in ImpressionismWhy is impasto commonly used in Impressionism?Monday, October 31, 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? Monday, October 31, 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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How-To: Lighting Your Fine ArtMonday, August 15, 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 Monday, August 15, 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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Seven Years of Art FestivalsSharing My Experiences with New and Aspiring ArtistsSaturday, February 1, 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 Saturday, February 1, 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 DemonstrationSunday, October 27, 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 Sunday, October 27, 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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What is Open Impressionism?The Inspiration Behind Open ImpressionismWednesday, August 22, 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 Wednesday, August 22, 2012 Fewer strokes is better in Open-Impressionism. Color choice is secondary. Texture and spontaneity are everything. Read More → |