Today we’d like to introduce you to Rebecca Hansen.
Hi Rebecca, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I have been creating my entire life, including sewing, crafting with clay, painting, and drawing. I was always known as the artist in my classes throughout the school. Art was a natural part of my life and something I did without thinking much about it.
I was blessed with a wonderful art teacher in high school who taught me how to draw the human face and practice an exercise called contour drawing where I could not erase or lift my hand from the paper while I drew. This foundation strengthened my drawing skills and set me up for college. I went on to major in illustration at Brigham Young University, graduating in 2020 with a BFA.
I am now a part-time artist and working to one day become full-time. I sell my work online and through shows, studio sales, and commissions. I also continue my study through online art schools and artist workshops. I have spent many hours painting from life by painting myself in a mirror and attending life-drawing sessions where a model poses. There is nothing like painting from life to better learn color, drawing, and edges.
This last year, I received a scholarship to attend the Portrait Society of America Conference in Washington DC. That was a wonderful opportunity where I got to meet, interact with, and learn from many professional figurative artists. I have also participated in shows in Idaho and Utah and recently had my painting “November Sun” in the Springville Museum Spring Salon.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I have been independent since I moved out of college and worked my way through school. Financial difficulties limited me in some educational pursuits, but I also had wonderful opportunities to travel to parts of Europe, Africa, and Asia through scholarships, thereby expanding my cultural and artistic knowledge.
Like many other artists, I have also struggled with imposter syndrome. It is easy to see my own weaknesses as I work long hours, trying different techniques, and challenging myself to be better. Many artists like myself start out working a part-time job while creating art. This can be a difficult thing to balance.
As I keep pushing forward and learning to trust the process, opportunities have continued to open up to me. Despite the difficulties, I am enjoying the journey and especially all of the people I have met through art.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a figurative artist primarily working in oil paint and charcoal. Along with figurative works, I also paint animals and landscapes. In my work, I try to keep my brush strokes fluid, confident, and untouched in order to elevate my paintings through color, shape, and texture. I have always had a love for the human face and figure, and portraits continue to be my favorite subject to paint.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Some are worried that AI will replace artists, but I believe painters will always exist, just as they have survived photography, Photoshop, and other technological advances. These have all become tools like the ones that old masters would use to aid in creating their works of art. Another development that has been exciting to see is the resurgence of figurative and representational painting in the last 30 years.
Additionally, more academies, online schools, and artists sharing their work through online platforms are creating opportunities for those not able to attend prestigious art academies to still get a wonderful education and develop the skills they need to become full-time artists. I expect it will only get better, allowing more art to be created and more beauty to be added to the world.
Pricing:
- Smaller works range from $100-800
Contact Info:
- Website: rebeccahansenart.com
- Instagram: @rebeccahansenart
