He drives everyone nuts!

Wilderness Retreet (c) Kathryn Hansen 9.5x20

Despite Chippy McNutters diminutive size, he was pretty much a big shot in his neck of the woods as he could gather up to 165 acorns on a good day. His furry friends however were starting to have concerns about Chippy's hoarding problem. Intervention seemed inevitable. Luckily for Chippy hibernation season was right around the corner so he was able to skirt the issue till Spring!

Birds in Art 2018

The Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum that houses the Birds in Art Exhibition is even more beautiful from the last time I saw it, before I moved to California in 1998. I snapped this photo on Sunday morning when it was so peaceful after all the hub bub from the activities of the past 3 days. They have an amazing sculpture garden surrounding the museum.

I don't think I'll ever be able to express just how thrilling it was to walk into the museum on Friday afternoon and see my drawing there!! This song kept going through my brain. I was feelng a bit overwhelmed until I spotted my art/drawing hero all by himself in another room looking at a painting..so I immediately went over to him like a donkey to a waffle!! Nope, I was not going to miss this opportunity of a lifetime to meet Terry Miller in the flesh!! I have been stalking following him and his work for more years then I can remember...I am one of his biggest fans. But he caught me off guard when he knew my name...me!!! We then walked over to my artwork and we talked...well, I listened and hung onto every word he said!! Some of those things have resonated in my head since...I will never forget them. That was truly one of the best moments of my life!!! Can you tell how much of an art nerd I am yet?

Another thing that touched my heart deeply was that SOO many of my family and friends were there, from all over...CO, IL, MN and every corner of WI to see me and share in one of the biggest experiences of my life!! I am truly and amazingly blessed!! I didn't get pics of everyone but my heart grew 3 sizes that weekend from seeing everyone!!!♥ 

The 4 day event was FULL of activities...one after another so it totally zoomed by. At the luncheon I felt like I was at the Oscars for artists!! Each meal was delicious, each reception was SO fun, the staff and volunteers were above and beyond wonderful...especially Allison Slavick, who I ended up being with a lot at meal time...we had some very wonderful chats!

Check out the Master Artist of 2018, Cindy House's work, it's simply stunning...I've never seen pastel work like hers!! And she is very funny...gotta love that!

Part of the Sunday morning activity for the artists was joining Jane Weinke, the curator of the museum, in listening about and checking out the permanent art collection in the basement storage rooms...which I have to say was pretty darn awesome!! When do you ever get a sneak peek like that in a museum?!!!

For 2 1/2 solid days after I got home from my trip, I was SO inspired that I went through tons of reference photos for next years entry! It was such an amazing experience that I want to repeat it as many times as I possibly can...feeling more determined then ever to keep growing as an artist so I can do it all over again...for many, many years...if possible!!

Hoarding disorder

In order to see birds it is necessary to become a part of the silence.

~Robert Lynd~

Birds Eye View by Kathryn Hansen (c)2017 10x13.5

These red-capped acorn hoarders live in the ancient oaks in my charming little city nestled in the San Gabriel Mountains north of LA. 

I can easily spot them in the winter months perched in bare treetops. 

There's even a granery tree on the hiking path I frequent that is just riddled with acorn-filled holes up and down the trunk.

Besides their parrot like squawks giving them away, the steady drumming on the trees echo through the trails as well.

They are one of my favorite birds to see and hear out in nature!

 This drawing is Dakota approved! 👍

I'm All Ears

“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”

~Jane Goodall~

I'm All Ears   (c)2017   10x13.5   Sold

We immediately met this giant fellow when we arrived at the "Elephant Bedroom Camp," which is located on the banks of the Ewaso Ng'iro river in Samburu Kenya.  They loved our president at that time, so they named this resident elephant Obama! To the dismay of the establishment, guards and workers we got a little too close for their comfort, so they had to frantically wave fallen palm fronds to keep him back while we snapped a few photos then retreated to the safety of the lodge.

Once common throughout Africa, elephants have been severely depleted due largely to the massive ivory trade as well as habitat destruction. To help, you can contact your local representatives and express your support of the international ban on ivory trading. 

Highlights of 2015

 ...to make an end is to make a beginning...

~T.S. Eliot~

19 Drawings:

10 Commissioned portraits (all dogs!)

8 Drawings

1 Donated drawing to California Wildlife Center

3 large commissioned paintings -that I can't show you! (sorry!)

10 Exhibitions (7 in galleries, 3 on-line)

1 monetary Merit Award for Where's Waldo in the PSA 90th Annual Juried Exhibition at White Fine Art Gallery in Montrose, CA

 

We fostered 5 kittens

Adopted 1 naughty, but very goofy puppy, Indie (Indiana Jones Lloyd Louis Hansen)

1 trip only (but it was fantastic!) to Santa Fe, New Mexico with my dear friends Julie and Bonni

I lost two very dear, sweet animals this year. 

I found Sammy on the streets by my work when he was just 6 months old. He was already blind in one eye and partially in the other, but it never stopped him from living a full life. He could be cantankerous at times, okay a lot of times but he loved to cuddle with me and could be just as sweet! 

Josie was the love of my life. We got her for half price ($25) at a run down pet shop while on vacation in Yosemite. My two girls begged me for her and it was one of the best decisions of my life to say yes! Josie and I hiked hundreds of miles every weekend and holiday. She was a true companion and followed me around as if she were my shadow. She made me laugh with her happy dance and antics! I love her more than I can say and miss her dearly, every single day since she passed on August 20th at 11.5 years old.

Cheers to the New Year! May it be a VERY memorable and creative one for you!! 

Happy 2016!!!!

Woofstock 90210

Even tho this show was a bit of a bust financially, it sure was super fun seeing all the magnificent dogs, talking to people about art, having lovely neighbors to our left and seeing a few friends too!!!  

If I had done better I might have come home with a heavenly pitbull puppy I fell in love with at one of the adoption booths, so perhaps it was meant to be and I will get a few commissions down the road from this event instead of potty training a puppy!

Before the event started my friend Robin (below) painted my daughter Emilys face with dolphins!!

Weirdly dogs kept pulling their owners into my booth all day, I swear I didn't pay them off with promises of biscuits and bones, they just liked it in there by us!!

A big shout out to my wonderful daughter for all her help, it wouldn't have been as much fun without her!!!

First steps to reception: Works on Paper exhibition

When Barbara, the new owner of Saga Fine Art Gallery proposed a show called Works on Paper along with 4 other artists at the start of January I just jumped for joy!! When she asked if I had at least 15 pieces for the show I thrillingly said YES...even tho in my head I had no idea how many pieces I had to offer her! And as it turned out I did not have 15 pieces as promised, so I got to work!!

I ordered frames, cut mats and framed 9 pieces! Luckily the rest were already put together!! 

I delivered 16 pieces on the first Saturday in February!! Phew!! My part was done until I received the postcards in the mail...then I mailed and promoted like crazy!!

Finally the opening reception!! Despite a two car collision two exits before I had to get off with sluggish, snail paced traffic, I anxiously made it in time!! Another phew!!!

photo courtesy of  Melanie Campbell-Carter

The opening went smashingly well!!!

Linda Queally, Lizz Tucker, me, Mims Ellis

 So many friends, acquaintances and family showed up and gave me oodles and oodles of love and support...it is definitely a night I will always remember!!

My sister Sue and her boyfriend Kenny

 I didn't even get to see the whole show as I was stuck in my magnificent cubicle, talking incessantly well past the 2 hour reception time!! I even felt a bit of discomfort on my face from all the smiling, laughing and talking on the drive back to my home! But that's a good soreness to have!!! 

photo courtesy of  Melanie Campbell-Carter, Cristina Baltayian in the middle, one of the 5 artists, Dolores Pope on right

Barbara Williams, owner of Saga Fine Art Gallery

A huge shout out to all that came to see me. I didn't get a chance to get a photo of: Katherine Kean, Mike and Carol Caley, Sandy Junkunc, and Lynne Fearman, thank you SOOOO very much!!! My heart is filled with gratitude!!!

Highlights of 2014!

And now we welcome the new year. Full of things that have never been.

~Rainer Maria Rilke~

30 Drawings (7 more than last year!)

7 Commissions: 

17 Drawings:

5 Animal contest drawings:

1 Donated piece to California Wildlife Center:

5 Gallery Shows (2 more than last year!):

1 ACAG Art Show:

Was juried into the Pasadena Society of Artists and became the secretary for Angeles Crest Art Guild:

3 sets of foster kitties:

Top:Dakota, Austin & Alaska, Bottom left: Daryl & Beth, Bottom right: Daisy (she lost all her babies to upper respiratory disease)

3 Trips:

Top:My nephews graduation from UT Austin with the whole family, Bottom left: San Luis Obispo, CA with girlfriends, D'Ann and Julie, Bottom left: Wisconsin with my niece Cassi, sisters Carolyn and Sue

Daughter Emily's High School Graduation: 

24 Books:

Wishing you a Happy New Year full of surprises, magic and happiness!!

♥Kathryn