Erin Hanson: ALCHEMIST of COLOR

October 5th - December 28th, 2023

Channel Islands Maritime Museum // Oxnard, California

ABOUT THE SHOW 
In Erin Hanson’s paintings, nature is an entity bursting with energy and color. These kaleidoscopic scenes contain perfect harmonies, splendid contrasts, delicate gradations, wild depth, and power. It may be surprising to know that Hanson’s brilliant landscapes are often achieved using just a few primary colors: red, blue, and yellow.

From only a few pure pigments, Hanson mixes all of her colors before beginning a piece, creating a limited palette with a full range of vibrant hues. Each brushstroke is placed intentionally. Hanson lays colors side by side without overlapping. The result is crystalline and defined, every inch radically charged with light, as clean and vivid as the famous stained glass windows of the Chartres Cathedral. The style of painting, characterized by a mosaic of textured brushstrokes and striking color, Hanson calls “Open Impressionism.”

As the originator of "Open Impressionism," Hanson’s techniques are now taught in art schools and colleges worldwide. This style is a blend of classic impressionism and modern expressionism with a pinch of Plein-air methodology. Instead of reflecting the landscapes through stark realism, Hanson seeks a new scene defined by the movement of prismatic color planes, relaying the pure emotion of the atmosphere. The primary purpose of "Open-Impressionism" is to capture the true feeling of being outdoors.

Hanson’s particular approach to painting allows the viewer to participate in the finished artwork. She asks her audience to fill in the blanks, she pushes us to explore the colors of nature in all its variety: harmonies, contrasts, peaks, and depths. These pieces reveal our richness of vision.

Show Dates:
October 5th - December 28th, 2023

Artist's Reception:
Thursday, October 12th
4 pm - 6 pm

View the
C O L L E C T I O N

VISIT CIMM
Thursday- Monday: 12pm – 4pm
Closed: Tuesday and Wednesday
Closed New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day

The Museum is located at the Channel Islands Harbor
at 3900 Bluefin Circle, Oxnard 93035

Admission:
Adults $10.00
Seniors and Active Military $5.00
College Students (with ID) $5.00
Youth/Children under 18 Free

The Channel Islands Maritime Museum aims to provide a friendly, accessible environment for all our visitors and the widest possible access to its buildings, exhibitions, and collections. All exhibits are placed for wheelchair and walker access. CIMM also provides handicapped parking in front of the Museum. There is an elevator that provides access to the Upper Deck and temporary exhibits. If other special accommodations are needed, please call the office 805.984.6260 (Monday-Friday 9:00 – 5:00).

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Erin Hanson Gallery
(503) 334-3670
amy@erinhanson.com

Introducing Erin Hanson: Alchemist of Color Exhibition
Journey around the color wheel with Erin Hanson’s Open Impressionist works

Channel Islands Maritime Museum in Oxnard, California, will exhibit Erin Hanson’s vibrant, impressionist paintings during the Erin Hanson: Alchemist of Color Exhibition. This showing features Hanson’s bold landscape paintings, each utilizing pure pigments in a limited palette. The exhibition will take place from October 5th through December 28th, 2023

Every painting in this bold showing will take viewers around the color wheel, with each piece showcasing a particular color scheme. This effect is achieved by Hanson’s Open Impressionist technique of placing each brushstroke side-by-side, without overlap. The result is crystalline and defined, every inch radically charged with light, as clean and vivid as the stained glass windows of the Chartres Cathedral.

Collectors and aficionados alike will enjoy Erin Hanson’s classic landscape paintings, in which nature is an entity bursting with energy and color. These kaleidoscopic scenes contain perfect harmonies, splendid contrasts, delicate gradations, wild depth, and natural power. Instead of reflecting the landscapes through stark realism, Hanson seeks a new scene defined by the movement of prismatic color planes, relaying the pure emotion of the atmosphere. The primary purpose of Open Impressionism is to capture the true feeling of being outdoors.

Hanson’s particular approach to painting allows the viewer to participate in the finished artwork. She asks her audience to fill in the blanks as she pushes us to explore the colors of nature in all its variety: harmonies, contrasts, peaks, and depths.

Where:
Channel Islands Maritime Museum
The Channel Islands Harbor
3900 Bluefin Circle
Oxnard, CA 93035


When:
October 5th through December 28th, 2023
Thursday- Monday: 12 pm – 4 pm
Closed: Tuesday and Wednesday
Closed Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day

Admission:
Adults $10.00
Seniors and Active Military $5.00
College Students (with ID) $5.00
Youth/Children under 18 Free

About Erin Hanson: A lifelong painter, Hanson began her study of oils as a child. Her passion for natural beauty can be seen in her work as she transforms vistas familiar and rare into stunning interpretations of bold color, playful rhythms, and raw emotional impact. Her frequent forays into National Parks and other recesses of nature include backpacking expeditions, rock climbing, and photo safaris. Hanson's unique painting style has become known as Open Impressionism, with hundreds of collectors eagerly anticipating her work. As an iconic driving force in the rebirth of contemporary impressionism, Hanson is recognized as a prolific, modern master.