My art is to show how nature's uplifting happy energy can be an oasis from our hectic draining society. My passion is connecting to nature and spreading its radiance and joyfulness through my paintings. I feel a sense of rejuvenation and happiness when I am witnessing the sparkle of sunshine and flowers in bloom and hiking through forests, along streams, and lakes and gardens. I paint these joyful experiences as a visual story by using bold, vibrant colors and strong contrast with light to uplift and spark joyful feelings and be an oasis for my viewer. Hiking through nature continues to be my inspiration to create radiant paintings to share with others and provide moments relief and happiness from our hectic lives. 

My Story

Artist, Leanne Hanson, paints large radiant oil paintings immersing the viewer into nature's joyful energy of enchanted sun-kissed landscapes and vibrant flowers. Art and nature have always been a passion for Leanne. Her love of both started early in her life. Born and raised in Duluth MN, Leanne spent hours exploring the natural beauty out her back door on the north shore of Lake Superior. Also, having a father, Arthur E. Smith, with a PhD in art education, an art professor, and an artist himself was instrumental in Leanne's art education with years of personal instruction. 

Leanne followed her passion for painting after college. Leanne's realistic painting style developed by combining the technical drawing skills from a landscape design degree at the University of Minnesota and with her fine art training. Leanne has been painting professionally since 1992 juggling a family-owned business with her husband and raising her two children. 

Using her realistic style with transparent watercolors, acrylics, and oils she has been commissioned to paint many paintings of diverse subjects for customers such as portraits, architectural cityscapes, and natural landscapes, and even a few abstracts. Her artwork is displayed in numerous private and corporate collections nationally. Among her numerous commissions, Leanne has been juried into shows and won several awards in art fairs such as the Minnesota State Fair. 

Now that her children are out on their own, Leanne is now pursuing her art career full-time with gusto. Leanne says she is “overflowing with enjoyment” painting large oils of her nature adventures. The culmination of all Leanne's art education and experiences have influenced her artistic style and will always be evolving and growing.

My art business has been designated as a "Trusted Art Seller" with The Art Storefronts Organization, which means you can shop with confidence, and know that I stand behind the quality and value of my products.