A Few More Thoughts:

I also believe that art is to be appreciated rather than judged. The road to becoming an artist takes perseverance. The journey may take many paths including, but not limited to academic training as well as self study. Furthermore, marketing, promotion, commercial acceptance, awards, and sales are only a few of the indicators of one's worth as an artist. We might find comfort in the words of Mary Corita Kent who said, "There is no mistake. No right, no wrong, only make." Good advice for the rest of us.

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ABOUT WOODY HANSEN …

I have had the pleasure of a close relationship with watercolor painting for over fifty years. During this time I have also had the good fortune of being the recipient of numerous awards, taught watercolor classes and workshops, juried art exhibitions and demonstrated my watercolor technique for many organizations. My work is in private and corporate collections throughout the world.

Excluding my blog, this site offers over 300 watercolor paintings which are featured in eighteen galleries (see menu bar). Unless noted otherwise, all work is available for purchase.

This site also includes information about my "No Bull," indoor and outdoor watercolor classes and workshops. I like to think of it as watercolor for the "rest of us.

I have a home and studio/gallery in Sacramento, California, where I live with my wife Marlene and our Rottweiler/German Shepard rescue dog, Connor.

Influenced by the West Coast style of watercolor painting, I work both outdoors as well as in the studio. However, having been raised in Mt. Shasta, and now living within a few miles of Sacramento's American River Parkway, I prefer working outdoors, in the company of trees, rocks, and water.

Currently, I consider myself a shape painter, one who makes (hopefully) interesting marks on paper. Over the years I have come to realize there is a real difference, a symbiotic relationship between art and craft, and that painting and drawing are two different, but related skills.

One must not necessarily be a great draftsman to become a competent painter. I see far too many people who are intimidated by what they feel is an inability to "draw a straight line." Sadly, they erroneously conclude they have no art talent and give up too soon.

I view art as a possible metaphor for life. Like life, each painting has a beginning, a middle, and an end. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. However, every new watercolor attempt provides not only an educational opportunity, but also offers clues into how one might aspire to improve life in general.

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