Finding freedom in expression: the stunning artwork of Cindy Hanson

Cindy Hanson, executive secretary for Teaching and Learning Technologies (TLT), has always had artistic talent, having grown up drawing and studying graphic design as early as middle school.

“I have books of sketches. I’ve always liked art and drawing,” said Hanson, who has even volunteered at the Utah Arts Festival every year for the past 25 years.

Her most recent venture, thanks to a Continuing Education class, has been using alcohol-based ink to create her pieces – a process that can only be done on non-porous surfaces, such as polypropylene paper, metals, ceramics, and glass. The effect is an incredibly vibrant and mostly unpredictable work of art.

“I haven’t mastered the art of control yet, and I don’t know if I want to,” said Hanson. “Every piece is unique.”

While the ink generally has a mind of its own, there are techniques that can be used to apply a bit of control, by using compressed air, blending tools and/or blending solution, cotton swabs, and even blowing through a straw.

“I’m developing technique,” said Hanson. “The more I do it, the more I can recreate certain flows.”

Her collection of pieces includes beautiful greeting cards, ceramic tiles, magnets, jewelry, full-size prints, and even smartphone backgrounds. She’s already been asked to participate in two different arts festivals to sell her work, and she’s considering participating in the Craft Sabbath special holiday market at the end of the year.

“If I can finish my card collection fast enough!” she added, laughing.

Hanson, who described herself as a very controlled and organized person, has found the unpredictable process of using alcohol ink to be freeing. 

“It’s helped me to sort of let go,” she said. “The thing I’ve learned is that art is subjective. Life is subjective. Your taste in art is different than my taste in art, so what I think is a flaw, you might think is gorgeous.”

Just recently, Hanson sold her first commissioned piece.

“It’s only lately that I’ve actually started to feel like an artist,” she said, giving credit to her TLT colleagues Jon Thomas (director), Paul Burrows (service architect), and Erik Hjorten (associate director) for always supporting and encouraging her to follow her passion.

With coworkers and friends constantly asking when she might start to sell her artwork on a regular basis, it stands to reason that Hanson has been quite the artist long before she ever considered herself one.

 

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