Biography

Moe Hanson has extensive formal training in the realist-based classical techniques. Reflecting years of tutelage, her finely rendered works are derived from a true sense of craftmanship, augmented by skills honed through years of diligent effort and enhanced by the innate sense of beauty which goes into making a true artist. Her works are held in numerous private collections and several public institutions worldwide, including the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, The United States Naval Academy and the University of Maryland's Dental Museum, as well as appearing on magazine and bookcovers such as National Geographic and Miramax-Hyperion. Her studio is located in Annapolis, where she works on portrait commissions and figure paintings.

WORKING METHODS

Ms. Hanson's methods follow the established practices of classical technique. She generally requires one formal sitting, at which she will make preliminary sketches. She will also photograph the client at various angles and poses. These reference photographs, in lieu of having the client dedicate several weeks to sitting for the portrait, are employed to augment the sketches and figure studies which precede any finely-crafted portrait. This initial sitting will often be accompanied by several compositional elements, so as to obtain a feel for the portrait from the very beginning. Once these studies and reference tools have been completed, the real work now begins in Ms. Hanson's studio, where several weeks of preparation, followed by months of intense effort, will give life to an engaging, intriguing and artistically valuable portrait.