Woody Hansen

Watercolor artist, Woody Hansen, has over 50 years of painting experience. During that time, he has participated in various art shows, received numerous awards, and taught many workshops.   He currently lives in Sacramento, where he paints at his studio and plein air. Being close to the American River encourages him to get outside and be inspired by the beauty around him.

After beginning to study architecture at the University of California's College of Environmental Design in Berkeley, Woody gravitated to a major in Fine Art. He took classes at the California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland. He has been inspired by many artists including, but not limited to, Michelangelo, Van Gogh, Picasso, John Marin, Winslow Homer, John Singer Sargent, Dong Kingman, Richard Yip, Kenneth Potter, and Earl Thollander.

At an early age Woody began drawing and painting realistically, and had a sign painting business by the time he was in the eighth grade. Though his formal education is in art, he pursued a second interest in the broadcasting business that began in high school at a local radio station KWSD, and continued for nearly twenty years. In the early seventies he decided he wanted to pursue the one thing that came most naturally to him-painting. His interest of painting outdoors led him to work with watercolor. He gradually became more interested in shape painting, by making marks on paper to build compositions in an abstract or non-representational style.

Other than his father, Woody's first mentors were watercolor artists, George Post and Louis Miljarik. Woody continues a tradition that was started by George Post, called “Free Fridays,” which provide a positive source of motivation, encouragement, and an easy access to the outdoor workshop environment. It is a free class, in which artists of all ages and levels can paint, observe, and ask questions. Free Fridays offer a watercolor demonstration, one-on-one help, and an end of the day critique.

Woody continues to learn from the work and teachings of other artists, such as Edgar Whitney, Richard Yip, Frank Webb, Tony Couch, Milford Zornes, and Henry Fukuhara. Woody inspires others with his passion for the arts. He enjoys teaching classes at his studio, and outside workshops. As an instructor, he encourages his students to find something in their work that they appreciate, and go with it. He says everything will fall into place if they do the best they can, and not compare themselves with others. Woody currently shows, and sells his art at his studio and at a newly created Home and Art Expo, called The Marketplace. There, he actively attends every 2nd Saturday to answer questions about his work, and offers monthly painting demonstrations.

To view his work and get more information on workshops, visit woodyhansen.com