 
Steve Hanks-The Complete Artwork Collection
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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New ReleasesClick on an image to see pricing, size and description of art.
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A Moment for Reflection
$ Multiple Options | 
A New Beginning
$ Multiple Options | 
After the Bath
$ 1150.00 | 
All Gone Awry
$ 80.00 | 
All in a Row
$ 275.00 | 
An Innocent View
$ 595.00 | 
Angel at the Gate
$ 160.00 | 
Beginning
$ Multiple Options | 
Being Perfect Angels
$ Multiple Options | 
Bewitching
$ 225.00 | 
Beyond the Horizon
$ 595.00 | 
Beyond the Path
$ 175.00 | 
Big Shoes to Fill
$ 725.00 | 
Black Lace Nightgown
$ 725.00 | 
Blending Into Shadows and Sheets
$ 435.00 | 
Blue Morning
$ Multiple Options | 
Candle in the Wind
$ Multiple Options | 
Captive Audience
$ 355.00 | 
Casting Her Shadow
$ 495.00 | 
Castles in the Sand
$ 75.00 | 
Catching the Sun
$ 1395.00 | 
Cats Lair, The
$ 160.00 | 
Centered
$ 160.00 | 
Children on La Jolla Shores
$ 550.00 | 
Comfort in Solitude
$ 245.00 | 
Comforting the Heart
$ 160.00 | 
Connections
$ 160.00 | 
Contemplation
$ 400.00 | 
Count Your Blessings
$ 160.00 | 
Country Girls
$ 250.00 | 
Country Home
$ 415.00 | 
Dancing on the Shore
$ 210.00 | 
Daughter of a Great Romance, The
$ 160.00 | 
Dreamseekers Suite
$ 200.00 | 
Duet
$ 595.00 | 
Emotional Appeal
$ Multiple Options | 
Fathers Day
$ 195.00 | 
Finding Yourself in the World
$ 175.00 | 
First Light
$ 175.00 | 
For Generations To Come To
$ 975.00 | 
Forever a Mystery
$ 300.00 | 
From a Higher Level
$ Multiple Options | 
Gathering Thoughts
$ 1245.00 | 
Gift is in Her Presents, The
$ 160.00 | 
Her Domain
$ Multiple Options | 
Her Side
$ 775.00 | 
Her Time
$ 300.00 | 
Hold on to Your Dreams
$ 165.00 | 
Hold Onto the Gate
$ 250.00 | 
Holding the Family Together
$ Multiple Options | 
In Her Dreams
$ 50.00 | 
In Her Thoughts
$ 50.00 | 
In Mothers Arms
$ Multiple Options | 
In the Eyes of the Innocent
$ 165.00 | 
Inside Looking Out
$ Multiple Options | 
Interior View
$ 250.00 | 
Its His Time Now
$ 125.00 | 
Journey is the Goal, The
$ 1025.00 | 
Leaving in the Rain
$ 245.00 | 
Life Size
$ 145.00 | 
Like Diamonds in the Sun
$ 145.00 | 
Listening to the River
$ 495.00 | 
Little Angels
$ 975.00 | 
Little Black Crow
$ 160.00 | 
Looking Back
$ 350.00 | 
Love for the Unattainable
$ Multiple Options | 
Matters of the Heart
$ 600.00 | 
Michaela and Friends
$ 145.00 | 
Morning at Bakers Beach
$ 165.00 | 
Morning Bath
$ Multiple Options | 
Mother and Child Bond
$ 970.00 | 
Moving On
$ 165.00 | 
Music Room, The
$ Multiple Options | 
My Little Angel
$ 195.00 | 
Mysteries Suite
$ Multiple Options | 
Natures Beauty
$ 165.00 | 
Natures Touch
$ Multiple Options | 
New Arrival
$ 215.00 | 
New Shoreline
$ 450.00 | 
Newest Angel, The
$ Multiple Options | 
Ocean Breeze
$ 1200.00 | 
On Shadows of the Past Run the Future
$ 1735.00 | 
On the Warm Side of Winter
$ 165.00 | 
One Step at a Time
$ Multiple Options | 
Pacific Sanctuary
$ 1015.00 | 
Places I Remember
$ 150.00 | 
Private Recital
$ 165.00 | 
Raising Daughters
$ 695.00 | 
Reflecting on Indian Beach
$ 550.00 | 
Room to Think
$ 1025.00 | 
Savoring the Sun
$ 165.00 | 
Scenic View
$ 495.00 | 
Seeking the Light
$ 50.00 | 
Sending Flowers
$ 525.00 | 
Sharing in Silence
$ 160.00 | 
Sharing Key Time
$ Multiple Options | 
Sheer Grace
$ 160.00 | 
Sheets of White
$ 50.00 | 
Shelter for the Heart
$ 165.00 | 
Small Miracle
$ 125.00 | 
Someone to Watch Over
$ Multiple Options | 
Sometimes its the Little Things
$ Multiple Options | 
Sound of Tiny Fingers, The
$ 95.00 | 
Southwestern Bedroom
$ 475.00 | 
Standing on Her Own Two Feet
$ Multiple Options | 
Streets of New Orleans
$ Multiple Options | 
Stringing the Children Along
$ Multiple Options | 
Sunlight Suite, The
$ Multiple Options | 
Sunshine After the Rain
$ 2745.00 | 
Taking Their Time
$ Multiple Options | 
The Road Less Traveled
$ Multiple Options | 
Things Worth Keeping
$ 1245.00 | 
Thinkers,The
$ 160.00 | 
Thinking it Over
$ 200.00 | 
Time Standing Still
$ 1475.00 | 
Time to Listen, The
$ 160.00 | 
To Behold
$ Multiple Options | 
To Dance Before the Sea And Sky
$ Multiple Options | 
To Search Within
$ 165.00 | 
To Touch a Heart
$ 165.00 | 
Touching the Surface
$ Multiple Options | 
Traveling at the Speed of Life
$ 150.00 | 
Treasures on the Shore
$ 75.00 | 
Undercover
$ 40.00 | 
View From the Balcony
$ Multiple Options | 
Waiting in the Rain
$ Multiple Options | 
Water Lilies in Bloom
$ 195.00 | 
We are Bound Together
$ 150.00 | 
When her Blue Eyes Close
$ 100.00 | 
When the Fog Rolls In
$ 175.00 | 
Where the Grass is Greener
$ Multiple Options | 
Where the Healing Begins
$ 1825.00 | 
Where the Light Shines Brightest
$ 150.00 | 
Wind Through the Window
$ Multiple Options | 
Wonders of a Woman
$ 100.00 | 
Yesterday and Tomorrow Suite
$ 225.00 | 
Young at Art
$ Multiple Options | 
Young at Heart
$ 275.00 |
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