Jim Hansen Rocks

An early career as a musician lit a creative spark in Jim Hansen, who is now hosting his first solo painting exhibition.

Sandgate-based artist Jim Hansen had spent years working in real estate and the public service before discovering his passion for painting. Before I started painting seven years ago, I was painting traditional folk art furniture and making leadlight windows,� Jim said.

I have studied visual art at the Queensland Technical College ' now QUT ' and a full-time course at TAFE and other private courses,� Jim said.

Jim is the frontman for the Sonics, a local music group who played popular Brisbane venues such as Cloudland in the 1960s. They now play the 'Rock Under the Clock' shows at the Sandgate Town Hall.

He has been interested in art his entire life, after visiting many galleries locally and globally.

Australian artists that have influenced my work are William Robinson and William Delafield Cook,� Jim said.

My favourite overseas artist would be Monet and his waterlilies paintings.�

Jim specialises in painting landscapes he has encountered through his extensive travel in Australia and overseas.

Really it's my first solo exhibition, which will show some of my work from the last few years,� he said.

[The exhibition] will feature my recent series on the High Country, Kosciusko and Tasmania, and my current work on depicting the rainforest.

All the paintings in the show are of places here and overseas that have inspired me.�

Jim paints in a studio separate from his house and works there most afternoons accompanied by his favourite music.

He enjoys creating hidden details in his paintings for the viewer to discover.

I am a representational painter, and love painting highly detailed images, which allow the viewer to discover secret places within the work and then to carry these images with them when they are exploring the natural landscape for themselves,� Jim said.