Steve Hanks

Steve Hanks (1949-2015) was a master of what he called ’emotional realism.’ His extraordinary ability to capture the interplay of light, texture, and human form earned him a place among today’s most celebrated watercolorists. Hanks’ signature style allows the entire human form to convey emotion, while his masterful rendering of sunlight filtering through fabric and space creates scenes of profound intimacy and psychological depth.

Hanks refined his artistic vision through formal training at the California College of Arts and Crafts before discovering his true medium during a period of artistic experimentation in New Mexico. His technical virtuosity has garnered numerous accolades, including the National Watercolor Society Merit Award and the National Academy of Western Art Gold Medal, establishing him as one of America’s foremost figurative painters.