Ann Hanson

Ann Hanson biography:

Ann Hanson has been painting the West – as she sees it – for over 30 years. With a deep love for the Western way of life, she creates art that spans from depictions of cowboys and cowgirls to Native Americans, all infused with her personal touch. Ann began her artistic journey studying graphics and technical illustration at a community college for two years, but her love for painting is self-taught and continues to evolve through constant research and experimentation.

Her work captures the heart and soul of the West, with a goal of immersing the viewer in the moment and making them feel as though they’ve experienced it firsthand. Ann’s paintings are known for their realism and attention to detail, evoking the subtleties of everyday life and offering intimate glimpses into the lives of her subjects. While she started with pencil drawings, Ann transitioned to pastels and, in 1995, began working in oils, developing a unique style that combines technical skill with an emotional depth.

“I love capturing the subtleties of day-to-day life and portraying the small snippets that look into the lives and hearts of my friends and neighbors,” Ann explains.

Ann’s career has seen her featured in numerous prestigious national Western art shows. Notably, she received the Artists Choice Award at the 2017 Cowgirl Up! exhibition at the Desert Caballeros Museum in Wickenburg, AZ. She has also participated in the Prix de West at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, OK, and the Buffalo Bill Art Show in Cody, WY since 1990, winning the William E. Weiss Purchase Award. Other recognitions include the People’s Choice Award at the 2014 Quick Draw and the Plein Air Magazine Award. Ann was the featured artist at The Cattleman’s Show in Paso Robles, CA in 2003.

Her work has graced the walls of numerous renowned shows, including The Settlers West American Miniature Show, Cheyenne Frontier Days Art Show, Heart of the West at the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in Fort Worth, TX, The Mountain Oyster Club Art Show, The West Select at the Phoenix Art Museum, and Small Works, Great Wonders Winter Show at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. In 2015, Ann’s work was featured in a two-person show, “On and Off the Wall,” with Julie Oriet at the Brinton Museum in Big Horn, Wyoming. She was also part of the “A Timeless Legacy” exhibition at the Hockaday Museum in Kalispell, Montana, in both 2017 and 2019.

Ann has earned features in notable art publications such as Art of the West, Western Horseman, U.S. Art, American Artist, and InformArt Magazines. She was highlighted in Southwest Art Magazine in 2006 and 2007, with her painting “Sharpshooter” gracing the cover in March 2006. Her painting “Cayde and Company” was featured on the February 2011 cover of Western Horseman Magazine, and in January 2013, her work “Diamond X Ranch Girls” was featured on the cover. Other notable appearances include the cover of Western Horseman in September 2014 with her painting “Secrets,” as well as features in Art of the West in 2016 and Southwest Art in 2017. Her most recent cover was in April 2020, with the piece “Mama’s Girl” and an accompanying article titled “In the Moment.”

In 2009, Ann was invited by George Lucas to create new works inspired by the Star Wars saga. Her piece, “On The Hunt,” was included in the book STAR WARS Art: Visions (October 2010), alongside over 100 other artists from around the world. Ann’s work is also featured in the acclaimed book Brushstrokes and Balladeers (2013) by the Range Conservation Foundation and RANGE Magazine, as well as in their latest publication, Reflections of the West: Cowboy Painters and Poets.

Reflecting on her career, Ann says, “I’m having a great time doing what I love. Thanks to my wonderful, supportive family, I feel truly blessed.”

Her paintings continue to celebrate the beauty and spirit of the West, connecting with those who share her passion for this rich and enduring culture.