Donna Hansen

Watercolor, ink, resin

As an artist, I have consistently been intrigued by the play of color and water in nature. The natural world features heavily in my watercolors. My paintings of nature above and in the water, here and abroad, seek to draw attention to oft overlooked but beautiful detail in these organisms or settings. I appreciate mixing watercolor works with, including fine, detailed lines and am moving into geometric shapes for the natural beauty that is also found there. I seek inspiration wherever I go – even taking my camera along on my year-round snorkeling adventures in local Bainbridge Island waters!

At other times, my mind and hands demand a more colorful, less precise form of expression. That is where my work with acrylics and resin comes in. I create artwork to hang on a wall or that can be used in a home. I search for shells, glass, rocks and bits of old pottery and embed them in resin to create natural beach scenes. With acrylic paints, I blend colors and swirl then into unpredictable works that invite the viewer to seek their own meaning in the resultant painting.

Art brings me immeasurable joy. The mood and the inspiration I draw from my walks and swims can take me into artistic expression that is either exacting or free form. I feel so fortunate to have the opportunity and ability to bring color and the natural world to life.