South Carolina Garden

This painting won my first award.  I notice how freely I painted before I knew so much!  This garden is located on the grounds of a rice plantation in Georgetown county, South Carolina.  The resource material was obtained during the yearly spring plantation tours sponsored by Prince George Episcopal church.

McClellanville

This is a painting of a McClellanville farm, Windfall. I was really into that red hot palette.  McClellanville is a small fishing village between Georgetown, S.C. and Charleston, S.C.  

I am showing my work in a quaint little art gallery/antique shop in McClellanville "Another Time Art & Antiques".  The grand opening is April 30, 2011, this Saturday from 11:am to 8:30pm.  If you are within driving distance, please stop and visit.

Sometimes, Less is more

This painting I dubbed "Surf Skimmer" was one of a series, after a crazy trip to Hawaii with my sister.  

 I donated this painting for an auction to raise funds for the local Chapter of the Boys and Girls Club of America.
This painting is minimalist for me.  The fun was attacking the ocean with a paint knife.  The clarity of blues and greens in the water says it all, and the posture of the child perpetuates the energy I wanted to portray.  A paradox of calm and focused movement.

Snapshot of Giverny Garden

Snapshot

There are so many things to consider while painting plein air.  Twice I have painted on site within Giverny .

Overwhelmed by all of the subject matter possibilities, I chose to paint small sections of the garden, the arbored doors of Monet's house and vignettes of the lily pond.  I have been told that it is impossible to paint an accurate sunrise or sunset, that no depiction can record the beauty presented by the ultimate creator, I felt the same way about this garden. 

Control Freak??

The Grande Allee - Giverny

I have been holding onto this painting for a few months.  It became mental therapy for me.  When the components of my life fly out of control, I take it out on my art.  This is the result.  

Chateau Vierville

Painting Trips Past

Memories and Works

 

This is an interior painting of the banquet room, Chateau Vierville.  Situated in Normandy, just above Omaha Beach, the  13th century chateau was a temporary allied command post just after D Day, World War II.  The owners of this historic home are cousins of my French sister, Francine.  We were invited to spend the day, painting on the grounds and inside the chateau.  The banquet room is where we all shared a luncheon, with our hosts. So many stories were shared, secret passage ways, ties to the French revolution, the confessor of Louis 16, was hidden here before returning to the British Isles.  We were told that he overstayed his welcome and was physically escorted to the ship..  I don't blame him, this is a beautiful place, I didn't want to leave.

Many paintings were inspired from this leg of the painting trip.  The memories are returning.  

I shipped this painting to Francine's son, Benoit, as an engagement gift for him and his fiancee, Sonia.  

 

Giclee Page

www.jeanhanna.com/giclees/

 

A gallery of available giclees has been added to my website.  To view the current offerings, please click on www.jeanhanna.com/giclees/.  If you are interested in making a purchase, please contact me through my email, artigal@hotmail.com.
I hope you enjoy the new page!

Roosters

So, I am deathly afraid of birds.  Have no idea why - nonetheless, I find them fascinating. Georgetown is a mini Key West, roosters and feral cats abounding.  

I had no fear painting this ceramic rooster, he is a retro fifties stick toothpicks in me and I become an hors d'oeurves server.  Hilarious, but he has a certain dignity, and I have never served olives from this boy.

Finishing Touches

Gardener - Giverny 

11" x 14" Oil on Panel

I started this painting a year ago.  The resource material was not the best; however, I decided to proceed. 

I spent a day painting in Giverny,with my students, a day that was closed to the general public and open to painters. Keeping us company were the many gardeners who are employed to maintain the grounds in the style of the master, Monet.  

I have been looking at this painting for a long time, knowing it was unfinished, waiting for the moment of thunder, and it came this morning.  Sometimes it is better not to think so much, just let the art flow.

I hope you enjoy this piece.  It is a memory!

Study of the Week

Study of the Week

Fresh Air Vendor - Bois-Colombes

This is the first offering of my study series.  I was drawn to this elderly vendor on one of my morning walks to the city art gallery in Bois-Colombes, France.  I seem to be drawn to every day people performing every day tasks.  

This oil study is executed on a 6" x 8" archival canvas panel.  It is ready to be framed, the purchase price is $75.00.  

I welcome your comments and interest in my art.

Studies for "Adoption"

Weekly I will be posting original oil studies that will be available for purchase.  These offerings will be created on archival panels, and unframed.  I will discuss the inspiration for each study and the process I used for the painting.  I hope you will enjoy seeing these little gems posted, the first one will be launched tomorrow, April 16, 2011, in celebration and relief of another tax day come and gone.

Waiting for Spring Fever

I am still hibernating. I haven't one symptom of "Spring Fever".  I find myself sequestered in the studio, oblivious to the seasonal urges re: spring cleaning, restocking empty flower pots or mindlessly skipping and or tiptoeing through the tulips.  

Working in dreams, working in semi and full consciousness . .  Waiting for the child artist to reemerge.

Serenity

Three peaceful days, painting, eating, touring and rowing.  The Seine, especially in this particular part of Normandy, exudes a spiritual force. 
It is possible to go back in time, not so much has changed, and see what inspired the "Masters".  The river is not so beautiful, as it is compelling.  The visual impact is not as magnificent as the silent power of the muse that constantly hovers.
The foggy veil of morning mist, the clarity of afternoon, the wistful sprinkling of light as the sun sets,
This place is a gift to all of the arts.

View from my Window - Moulin-des-Connelles

The view from my window was pastoral.  We painted here and rowed on the Seine.  The mist in the morning was just as Monet portrayed it,  in many of his paintings.  What an epiphany!!!  The sunset  orchestrated optical illusions, causing flickering light to play with tree foliage more than a hundred yards from the river.  I have never seen anything like it.  It came and went too fast, I was unable to capture this phenomena on film, I doubt that I could have.

Croissants and Charm

Moulin-Des-Connelles has been a place to paint and relax for two of my painting trips.  The food is excellent, the accommodations charming, the views from the Victorian hotel, a festival of painting options.
The kitchen staff allowed us to photograph them in various stages of meal preparation, but the gentleman creating the croissants was the ultimate.  He was standing by an open window and the morning sunlight was illuminating the process.
There is nothing like the experience of a croissant in France.  Francine, my French sister tells me that it has much to do with the latitude and longitude??  Could be!  Have never had the same taste experience in the US.
The nuances of taste, tweaked by the global positioning of the preparation and ingredients. Interesting!  I think she is right!

Lost in Spaces

For over a year I have been reliving my travels, wishing I could be there, knowing I cannot be there, painting myself into the memories of daily French street life, market and cafe routines.

Having the good fortune to live in the little hotel, around the corner from the flower shop, for three weeks, in the little "ville" of Bois-Colombes.  These paintings bring back the memories.  Watching the baguettes strapped to the back of scooters each morning, racing home for breakfast.  Visiting with the local artists, friendships and connections - - - Maybe in the future I could return to show my work again.  It was a privilege to be a part of their art community for that time.

Digging Out of the Mire: "Economy Crisis"

Two years of creating with little hope of selling. The good news, I have been on a two year learning curve, experimenting, having fun, clipping coupons.

Now the fog is rising, and opportunities have been revealed. Now the real work begins, now is the time to be smart enough to exhibit in the proper places and circumstances.

There is hope!!!