Donna Hansen

Watercolor, resin, and acrylic paint

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 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 come in. I create artwork to hang on a wall or that can be put to use 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 them into unpredictable works that invite the viewer to seek their own meaning in the resultant painting. I also enjoy taking a worn piece of furniture and recreating it into functional art.

I’m relatively new to the art world. After retiring from years as a public school teacher, a friend suggested we take a watercolor class for “mature” learners at the local community college. I loved it and haven’t stopped since. 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.