TomHokansonArt

In August of 2021, we went to Zilker Botanical Garden in Austin and I captured Mathilde and Rachel tip-toeing across the lily pond.   

While visiting my Mother-in-Law a couple of weeks before her death, I noticed a magical print outside her room by G. Harvey called "Children in the City". It depicted a snowy city scene where the street lamps, building windows, and street car windows shown brilliantly against dark backgrounds. I wanted to attempt to reproduce the light/dark contrast effect in a similar painting on some new linen canvas paper that Jill gave me for Christmas.  Below is my work. City Snow Fall

  "Visions of Portofino" was a gift to Joan for Christmas. It was painted with acrylics on a 36 X 24 inch stretched canvas and now hangs above our fireplace. Based on the picturesque harbor in Portofino, Italy. Here is a time lapse of my work. You will see that I removed or changed some things, like the boats or the chairs. Visions of Portofino Time Lapse Video See more Portofino, Italy art on Fine Art America: portofino art

"Leaving the Wedding" was my gift to Jill and Jacob this Christmas, just after they celebrated their first wedding anniversary. The reference photo is below. The truck is Jacob's, a 1931 Ford pickup that they actually drove away in the wedding in after the ceremony!  

"Introduction to Paddleboard" was a gift to my daughter and son-in-law, Rachel and Perry, for Christmas. The subjects are their daughters, Evelyn (age 2, at the top) and Mathilde (age 4, at the bottom). The source photo is also below showing them on a weekend outing where they rented a paddleboard.  

"Blue Butterfly" was a Christmas gift to my Mom. Find more butterflies on Fine Art America: butterflies art  

"The Welcoming Bench" reminds us to be charitable, gracious, compassionate and loving. Painted with acrylics on a 12x12" canvas .  

This little painting was a gift to my friend and Pastor, Brad Highum. I knew of his fondness for all things Celtic so I chose the subject and inspirational quote with that in mind. His response makes me realize how important it is to take care in choosing what to paint.  " A foundational truth from a teacher I revere … a style of cross that speaks to me of the deepest levels of contemplative spirituality … a vibrance of color and light that conjures images of Iona … all the meaning of doorways and thresholds … the wonder of personal artistic expression, which is one of the greatest gifts one can give to another …"

Painted this bluebonnets and butterfly acrylic piece on an 8x10 canvas and donated it to tomorrow's Abiding Love Holiday Market. Hope someone will like it! See more Monarch Butterflies on Fine Art America: monarch butterfly art

My first in-person class at The Contemporary Austin - Laguna Gloria was enjoyable. The class was Magnificent Acrylics taught by Phillip Wade. There were 15 students in the class. Week 1: Landscapes. I select this mountain photo featuring a rocky outcropping. The rocks were difficult but I got there . Week 2: Landscapes. I selected a phot of Barton Springs I took early one morning when nobody was in the pool. It had some nice reflections I wanted to tackle. Week 3: Still Life. The instructor place several different fruits and other items on a large table with a spotlight shining on them. I picked this copper pot with an Orange and was pleased with the results. Week 4: Another Still Life but this time the instructor had us prep a palette using a palette knife so there was some texture. I selected these pears as my object. Week 5: Palette Knife Painting. This proved to be difficult as I selected a photo of abstract art. Funny story - I didn't like the way to looks so reworked it into ...