Biography

Carol A. Hanna
Born: Toledo, Ohio

Education

Various universities, with BFA, Eastern Michigan University, 2003, Graduate courses, 2005, 2006.

Artist Statement

The Songs of the Bird Series was inspired by a particular moment in time while listening to a bird sing in a wooded area along the shore of Lake Michigan.  Since that defining moment, I have endeavored to transform the sound of birdsong to the two-dimensional surface.  My desire is to interpret the song in color, rhythm, and the illusion of time. 

Within a species of bird, each has its' own variation of color and each has its' own variation of song.  No two birds sing exactly alike.  Representing a bird's song via the musical staff is difficult.  Most birds are pitched beyond the highest octave of the piano with slurs between the notes.  However, they can sing in different keys and different measures of time. I interpret each bird's song while viewing the sonogram and simultaneously listening to a sound recording.  The vibratory effect of the soft edged stripes through the use of the airbrush, correspond with the slurring of song notes.  The color for each bird is researched at the Biology Department at the University of Michigan

 

A small reference photo of the bird may be shown next to the painting along with an attached sound recording enabling the viewer to hear the bird sing while viewing the painting.

Collections

Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanit, MI

ABN AMRO World Headquarters
Ann Arbor, MI

Mectron Engineering Company, Inc.
Saline, MI

 

Various Private Collectors

Awards and Honors

  2010
Third Place Award

Ann Arbor Women Artists' Summer Exhibit, Riverside Gallery, Ypsilanti, MI, Juror:  Ms. Marcia Polenberg, Visual Arts Department, Univ. of Michigan, Flint.

  
First Place Award

Ann Arbor Women Artists' Spring Exhibit, Ann Arbor District Library, Ann Arbor, MI, Juror:  Ms. Brooks Harris Stevens, Asst. Professor of Fibers, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti.

2008

Best of Show
Ann Arbor Art Center's 86th Annual:  All Media Exhibition, Ann Arbor Art Center, Ann Arbor, MI,  Juror:  Vince Castagnacci, University of Michigan Art Professor,

 

2nd Place AAWA
AAWA Summer Exhibit, Riverside Arts Center Gallery, Ypsilanti, MI, Juror:  Don Werthmann, School Visual Arts, Washtenaw Community College

2007

Artistic Excellence Award
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI 

Gold Award
Our Town Art Show, Community House, Birmingham, MI, Juror:  Barbara Heller, Chief Conservator of the Detroit Institute of Arts

2005

American Frame Award
Ann Arbor Women Artists
University of Michigan Hospitals

 

Honorable Mention
Watercolorists at EMU
Ypsilanti, MI

2003

American Frame Award
Ann Arbor Women Artists
University of Michigan Hospitals

2002
Best of Watercolor
Annual Student Art Exhibition
Ypsilanti, MI

Writings

 

  • Cantu, John Carlos, Diversity Displayed in Spring Exhibition, Review.  Annarbor.com, (April 4, 2010).
  • Studio Visit Magazine, Andrew Katz, Associate Publisher, The Open Studios Press, (March, 2009).
  • Cantu, John Carlos, Work Reflects Greater Latitude, Review.  Ann Arbor News, (September 14, 2008).
  • Studio Visit Magazine, Andrew Katz, Associate Publisher, The Open Studios Press, (February, 2008). 
    Art Showcase Magazine, John Himlin, Publisher, (Spring, 2004), pp. 10-11.

airbrushed acrylics artist

  • information
    • biography
    • education
    • artist statement
    • collections
    • awards and honors
    • writings