We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Glen Hansen. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Glen below.

Glen, appreciate you joining us today. What’s the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?

When I was a teaching drawing and painting at the School of Visual Arts a student of mine introduced me to his parents Vickie and Bob Zoellner. They became friends and patrons, sponsored me to go to Paris to paint. That grew into trips to Venice and Prague. Always chasing the light , it changed the trajectory of my life.

Glen, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I was fortunate to have 2 great high school instructors, Bonnie Newman and Saul Rosenbaum. I got excepted to the School of Visual Arts in NYC and met some great instructors who were influential with my path as an artist, Paul Waldman and Andy Gerndt. Paul showed at Leo Castelli gallery and got me a job after college as an art handler. The best job I’ve ever had, got the hang the work of art hero’s -Johns, Serra, Oldenburg, Stella, Ruscha… etc. My first exhibition was in Soho at Helio gallery followed by another. After Helio I dropped my slides at Fischbach gallery on 57th st and ended up showing there for 20 years, produced an exhibition every 2 years along with many Armory show on 67th st. My work is in several museums including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, American Museum of Natural History, Nassau County Museum of Art. Currently in great exhibition at the NCMA, the real, surreal and Photoreal, starting in January I have the privilege of being the Artist in Residence for 3 months at the Museum. My painting has been described as photorealistic or hyper realistic, I consider myself a contemporary representation realist painter. Definitely influenced by the photorealsts like Cottingham and Estes but also the work of Hopper along with old masters such as Ingres and Gerome. The Maroger painting medium is a rediscovered medium from Rubin’s, The glazing techniques i use come from studying the Flemish painters and the artist Maxfield Parrish. I lived in NYC in Hells Kitchen on 45 th st and in Tin Pan Alley on 28th st for 25 years. I currently reside on the North Fork of Long Island in South Jamesport.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I guess the rewarding part of being an artist is the privilege to be able to create everyday. I’ve been painting in oils for the last 45 years…there are good days and bad, the struggle is to stay focused and disciplined, to quote my old friend, the guitarist Cecil Greggory, “Brother Glen, Your Art Will Never Let You Down”. I think I knew what he meant.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

An early major move was when a former instructor , Paul Waldman, got me a job after college as an art handler at the Leo Castelli gallery in SoHo. I got to hang works of artists I studied about in college, John’s, Serra, Oldenburg, Stella, Ruscha…etc
It was the mid 80’s , the art world was booming and Castelli was the top gallery. The best job I’ve ever had.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Glenhansen.net
• Instagram: Glen.Hansen