Anne Hanley

My Batik paintings are created on ricepaper using watercolor paint and a mixture of paraffin and beeswax.

I graduated in graphic design and hold a BA from Illinois State University and was an art director in Chicago, Illinois for many years before staying home to raise my three daughters.  While home I began painting on cotton using batik then after a time I switched to ricepaper. I enjoy the fluid hot wax and its reaction to the paper.  I alternate layers of hot wax and watercolor paint until complete.  Then I remove all the wax at the end and the results are often amazing. 

So much depth and illusion gives a bit of mystery to the final piece. I enjoy painting large so I use a paper that comes in large rolls so I am not defined by any particular size.  My inspiration comes from my many years drawing the human figure and the relationship to forms found in nature.  I love the Michigan Dunes, the Lakeshore and the miles of forest and trails in the Dunes.   I have an intuitive sense of color and feel the wax lends itself often to large bold strokes.  I never tire of the medium although it is not very forgiving at times the possibilities are endless.  

My subjects are often as the mood strikes me.  I love to take the medium in all directions and see what works.  I know that I will continue to explore all that it has to offer.

Artworks by Anne

City Lights

Heart Beats

Kite Strings

Practising Balance

She Took a Walk With Headphones

Anne is a Batik Guild member