Jim Hansel - Artist
In this country, we are blessed
with many talented artists. Jim Hansel is not only talented, but
he has had to overcome special challenges to paint beautifully.
At a young age, Jim began to demonstrate his artistic ability.
Throughout his life, Jim never swayed from his childhood dream
of becoming an artist. Jim's love of wildlife and the outdoors,
has been the subject of his artwork for many years. However, Jim's
ability to paint these images has not come without its challenges.
The world we see is not always the world Jim sees.
In 1972, at the age of twelve, Jim
was diagnosed with a degenerative eye condition called Stargardts.
This eye condition has left Jim legally blind. Despite Jim's visual
limitations, he has learned to create beautifully detailed images
with the use of magnifiers and low-vision aids. As Jim paints
in the detail work on a painting, he is working only one or two
inches away from the canvas. Yet, while he painstakingly adds
these details, he has a clear picture in his mind of the final
product.
Jim also relies on his camera to
capture his ideas and bring them into focus. Like many other artists,
Jim uses photographs to bring the landscapes and wildlife models
back to his studio. At this point, Jim will enlarge the images,
if it is necessary, for him to see them more clearly. But, snapping
pictures is not the same as painting original oils. Amazingly,
as Jim puts on his glasses and begins his brush strokes, his paintings
come into focus. But, only a few square inches at a time. Jim
believes that due to his vision, he spends more time on a painting
adding more detail than many other artists. He has spent up to
four months on a single painting.
Jim has said that he wants his artwork
to be judged on its own merit and not on the basis that he is
an artist with a visual impairment. This determination has launched
Hansel into the national spotlight. Since the release of his first
image in 1987, Jim has produced nearly 100 limited edition prints.
Many of the editions are sold out. His reputation for detail and
his distinctive, colorful landscapes, have proven to be very popular
with art collectors across the country.
Reaching his level of popularity has not been achieved on his
own. Jim's wife, Lois plays a major roll in the success of their
art business. Since their marriage in 1985, Lois has been involved
in the production of Jim's art prints. With a background in advertising
and print production, Lois oversees the printing of Jim's artwork
to ensure the highest quality possible. Jim and Lois have two
children, Joe and Laura, who share their lives.
Jim has also received much recognition
and numerous awards for his work. In recent years, Jim has been
commissioned to produce several paintings, which have been featured
by Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever and The Minnesota Deer Hunters
Association. The limited edition prints are being used to raise
money for these conservation organizations. Hansel has been honored
with many other awards to his credit. He believes that hard work
and perseverance is why he has been so successful.
