Steve Hanks (1949-2015)🎨, the Master of Watercolor and Figures passed away in Albuquerque, New Mexico on April 22 after a battle with cancer.
"Art comes from a deep inner sense of direction.It starts with a re-evaluation of your own life, from a search for the source of the impulses and mystery of it all. I think of myself as an emotional realist. Emotion is what I want to portray. Realism is just my way of doing it"- Steve Hanks
Steve Hanks is recognized as one of the best watercolor artists working today. The detail, color and realism of Steve Hanks’ paintings are unheard of in this difficult medium. A softly worn patterned quilt, the play of light on the thin veil of surf on sand, or the delicate expression of a child — Steve Hanks captures these patterns of life better than anyone.
Steve Hanks was born into a military family in San Diego in 1949. His father was a highly decorated WWII Navy flyer.
Steve Hanks grew up playing tennis and surfing along the beaches of Southern California.
"The ocean made a strong and lasting impression on me. It was good for the soul to be out in the water - surfing, swimming, or simply getting in touch with its mysterious power". The family was transferred to New Mexico when Steve was a junior.
After high school he attended the Academy of Fine Arts in San Francisco, earning excellent marks in commercial art and figure drawing.
He transferred to the California College of Arts and Crafts, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.
Steve Hanks took a job as a caretaker at a Campfire Girl’s camp near Cuba, New Mexico in 1976. The pay was minimal, but the rent was free, and all during the winter months his time was his own. For the next four and a half years Hanks experimented with many media: oils, watercolor, pencil, acrylics. "If I hadn’t spent so much time perfecting my drawing skills", he comments, "I would not be the painter I am today".
His first romantic piece, "Daisies and Lace", was a harbinger of his developing style - it featured a lacy dress and a serene sunlit setting.
Steve Hanks calls his style ‘emotional realism’. He often leaves the faces of his figures obscured or turned away, not only to leave the face to the imagination of the viewer but also to allow the entire figure to express the emotion. Backlighting is also a signature element of his style.
"Sunlight has become one of my favorite subjects. I’m fascinated by how it filters through things, how it floods a whole room with color. Often my paintings are really more about sunlight than anything else". His marriage to Laura and the arrival of three children provided new inspiration for the artist. Many lovingly rendered domestic scenes were added to the portfolio during those years.
Jurors, galleries and collectors have long recognized the stature of Steve Hanks’ achievements. He received the National Watercolor Society Merit Award and the National Academy of Western Art Gold Medal, in addition to consistently appearing in the list of top ten American artists compiled by U.S. Art Magazine. Art for the Parks has honored his work with many awards since 1989.
Steve Hanks (1949-2015) - il maestro dell'acquerello e delle figure - è morto ad Albuquerque, nel New Mexico, il 22 aprile dopo una battaglia contro il cancro.
Steve Hanks chiamava il suo stile "realismo emotivo".
Spesso lasciava i volti delle sue figure oscurati o voltati dall'altra parte, non solo per lasciare il volto all'immaginazione dello spettatore ma anche per consentire all'intera figura di esprimere l'emozione.
La retroilluminazione è anche un elemento distintivo del suo stile.
"La luce solare è diventata uno dei miei soggetti preferiti. Sono affascinato da come filtra attraverso le cose, da come inonda di colore un'intera stanza. Spesso i miei dipinti sono davvero più sulla luce del sole che su qualsiasi altra cosa".
Steve Hanks è cresciuto giocando a tennis e facendo surf lungo le spiagge della California meridionale.
"L'oceano mi ha lasciato un'impressione forte e duratura. È stato bello per l'anima essere in acqua, fare surf, nuotare o semplicemente entrare in contatto con il suo potere misterioso".
Ha ricevuto il National Watercolour Society Merit Award e la National Academy of Western Art Gold Medal, oltre a comparire costantemente nella lista dei primi dieci artisti americani compilata da US Art Magazine. Art for the Parks ha onorato il suo lavoro con numerosi premi dal 1989.
"L'arte nasce da un profondo senso di direzione interiore. Inizia con una rivalutazione della propria vita, dalla ricerca della fonte degli impulsi e del mistero di tutto ciò. Mi considero un realista emotivo. L'emozione è ciò che Voglio interpretare. Il realismo è solo il mio modo di farlo".- Steve Hanks
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