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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. 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.
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.
“I’ve tried to be responsible and put positive
images out into the world,” says Hanks. “I hope that my work
brings comfort, pleasure and insight into people’s lives.”
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