Jeff Hanson - Meet The Artist

Jeffrey Owen Hanson

• Born: September 30, 1993
• Home: Overland Park, Kansas, USA
• Parents: Hal and Julie Hanson
• School: Kansas State School for the Blind

Why does a 15 year old 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 is a 15 year old 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. Jeff attends the Kansas State School for the Blind. His vision is 20/200. Despite this, Jeff sees well enough to continue creating original art work for several charities, as well as commissioned pieces.

Jeff did not have a “pity party” about his optic tumor or his vision loss. He kept a great attitude throughout his treatment, despite the usual chemotherapy side effects such as nausea, weight loss and hair loss. Jeff had to leave his home school and friends and switch to the Kansas State School for the Blind. He took all of this in great stride. Jeff used humor to help defeat “Clod.” In fact, on the last day of radiation, Jeff showed up for his final treatment IN A TUXEDO! The technicians had never given radiation to anyone in a tuxedo before. Following that, we had 125 people assemble in our front yard for the “farewell to Clod balloon launch.” There was a countdown, followed by a 100 helium balloon release, signaling the end of “Clod.” From that point on, “Clod” was only a distant memory.

Jeff started painting abstract art 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 the usual “kid stuff,” like skate boarding, bicycling, baseball, etc. Jeff’s art is totally abstract, with bright, bold colors. His vision doesn’t permit him to create any concrete images. But his color combinations are explosive!

Jeff started selling his note cards in the summer of 2006, at Jeff’s Bistro, a glorified lemonade stand in his front yard. The “business” was initially intended to be for profit. But the public response was overwhelming, and Jeff decided to give the profits to The Children’s Tumor Foundation, to help fund research for Neurofibromatosis and optic tumors. Jeff painted and sold over 5000 original cards, as well as mom’s baked goods, raising over $15,000 for the charity. 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, typically raising $500-$1200 each. And orders for commissioned works are on the rise. All of this while attending the Kansas State School for the Blind. Meanwhile, the demand for note cards has become so great that Jeff has reluctantly resorted to mass-printing scanned images of his cards, in order to continue generating funds for his favorite charities. Check out the Art Store.

Jeff’s story is about generosity. Here is a teen who, rather than wallow in self-pity about his medical condition, uses his time and talents for the benefit of many others. 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 did a feature on Jeff’s Bistro. Pastor Adam Hamilton at the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, included Jeff’s story in a sermon entitled “Defined by Generosity.” Sir Elton John granted Jeff a Make-A-Wish to meet him before a recent concert in Kansas City, at which time Jeff surprised Elton with a check for the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Sir Elton reciprocated with a gift to The Children’s Tumor Foundation in Jeff’s honor. And the Kansas VFW Ladies Auxiliary named Jeff “Outstanding Young Volunteer of the Year, 2007,” for the Jeff’s Bistro project.

“Sight for Sore Eyes” is an expression commonly used to describe a jubilant reunion among friends, as well as something pleasing to the eye--a needed relief from our weary path. 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)
May 2008