Jeff Hanson - Meet The Artist
Jeffrey Owen Hanson
Why does a teenage kid need a web site? Because he has a great story to tell about keeping a positive attitude through adversity, compassion and contagious generosity. And he has some very fun art to show off.
Jeff Hanson (born 30 September,1993) is a philanthropic artist from Overland Park, Kansas, USA. Jeff is visually impaired from an optic nerve tumor (he nick-named “Clod”) associated with a genetic condition called Neurofibromatosis. The tumor started causing severe vision loss in 2005, and Jeff received radiation and chemotherapy in 2005-2006. Despite his low vision, Jeff sees well enough to continue creating original art work for several charities, as well as commissioned pieces.
Jeff never had a “pity party” about his medical condition. He kept a great attitude throughout his treatment, despite losing his hair and all the usual “chemo” side effects. Jeff said good-bye to his home school friends, and spent three years at the Kansas State School for the Blind. He took all of this in stride, and used humor, creativity, and a headlong immersion into his art work to defeat “Clod.” On his last day of radiation therapy, Jeff showed up for treatment in a TUXEDO! “Clod” was not going to win—or be taken seriously. Following that final treatment, a helium balloon launch in our front yard signaled “farewell to Clod” and a new page to life.
Jeff started painting watercolor note cards in the spring of 2006, when he was 12 years old. It was a hobby and pastime for him, since his visual impairment prevented him from doing sports and the usual kid stuff. Jeff’s art was totally abstract, with bright bold colors. His vision did not permit him to create any concrete images. But his color combinations were explosive! Jeff sold the note cards at Jeff’s Bistro, a glorified lemonade stand he set up in his driveway in the summer of 2006. Jeff painted and sold over 5000 note cards that summer, along with mom’s baked goods, raising over $15,000 for
The Children’s Tumor Foundation, to help fund research for Neurofibromatosis and optic tumors.
Since that time, Jeff has moved into larger works, using acrylics on canvas, with much of the profit going to various charitable foundations. Jeff also donates canvases to several of his favorite auction fundraisers—often raising over $2000 each. And orders for commissioned works are on the rise. In 2009, Jeff painted over 300 canvases and made charitable contributions over $35,000. Jeff’s first ever sole-artist exhibit, in Kansas City’s Crossroads arts district, sold 118 canvases in four hours, generating thousands for our local Children’s Mercy Hospital and an orphanage in South Africa. Meanwhile, the demand for note cards has become so great that Jeff has reluctantly resorted to mass-printing digital images of his original cards and canvases, in order to continue generating funds for his favorite charities. Check out the ART STORE. Jeff’s art work also appears in his new note pads, and electronic greeting cards.
Jeff’s story is not really about great art…it’s about a great heart! And about generosity. Here is a teen who, rather than dwell on his medical condition and personal problems, uses his time and talents for the benefit of many others. Jeff’s total gifts to charity, at age 16, have now exceeded $150,000!!! And his generosity has not gone unrecognized. See MEDIA COVERAGE. Phil Witt from FOX 4 NEWS in Kansas City has aired three stories about Jeff. The Kansas City Star ran features on Jeff’s Bistro and also Jeff’s gifts to the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Sir Elton John gave a gift to The Children’s Tumor Foundation in Jeff’s honor. The Kansas VFW Ladies Auxiliary named Jeff “Outstanding Young Volunteer of the Year, 2007, for the Jeff’s Bistro project. Pastor Adam Hamilton at the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, featured Jeff in a sermon entitled “Defined by Generosity,” and in his new book, “Enough.” Jeff was a 2009 National Winner in the Kohl’s
Kids Who Care scholarship program. Kansas City’s new aLOFT Hotel chose Jeff as the sole artist for display at their 2009 grand opening. And Whole Foods Market will use Jeff's art to decorate their 2010 reusable grocery bag, with proceeds benefitting one of Jeff's favorite charities.
Jeff’s mission statement is to “help create kinder communities, more compassionate nations, and a better world for all…one painting at a time.”
“Sight for sore eyes” is an expression commonly used to describe a jubilant reunion among friends, as well as something pleasing to the eye. It connotes uplifting emotions, safety and security. For Jeff Hanson, it is his joyous art, interpreting the world through his “sore eyes” and splashing it onto canvas for all of us to share.
Hal and Julie Hanson (proud parents)
Spring 2010
