Hanson’s artwork commissioned for Ronald McDonald House Charities
A world-renowned artist with Red Oak ties was commissioned to paint two-dozen “kid art” paintings for the Ronald McDonald House in Louisville, Ken.
Jeff Hanson, the son of Dr. Hal and Julie (Swanson) Hanson, formerly of Red Oak, created 24 12 by 12 inch squares “kid friendly Backyard Safari” paintings, which will be displayed in the fourth floor south playroom newly renovated Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kentuckiana. The Ronald McDonald House and Hanson’s art were unveiled in early July.
It was another Red Oak native, Rebecca Butler Mona, who is Optimist International President, who commissioned Hanson for the prestigious honor. Mona and Julie were high school friends and Mona had been following Jeff’s story for numerous years.
Jeff started working on the paintings March 1, and they were successfully shipped to Louisville June 10. The art elements include butterflies, turtles, hearts, kittens, flowers, birds, rabbits and smiley faces with the colors coordinating with the interior of the Ronald McDonald House.
“Children and their families staying at Ronald McDonald House need to return from their treatments to a kid-friendly, welcoming space. Having endured chemotherapy and radiation at age 12, I understand what these kids and families are going through,” said Jeff. “I am thrilled to be a part of creating a happy environment for them.”
Additionally, the Hansons provided the keynote presentation July 2, during the morning business session on, “The Lessons from CLOD,” a book written by Hal about his and Julie’s only child.
Jeff was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis at the age of 6, which resulted in an optic glioma, a slow growing tumor of neuroglia tissue in the optic nerve or optic chiasm, heralded by vision loss.
The “bank of dreams” Hal and Julie had for their child became empty with the medical diagnosis, but only for a moment. Jeff would open up Jeff’s Bistro, which eventually led to his own business, Jeff Hanson Art. The painted notecards he sold at the bistro evolved as well into large canvases. He has not only sold his art but has donated it to various organizations, becoming a well-known philanthropist as well.
Through his artwork, Jeff has met Warren Buffet, Olivia Wilde, Rob Riggle, Henry Block (who started H&R Block), and Jack Black. Through his talent, Jeff’s original paintings on charity auctions have generated $5 million, and Julie said he has the goal of raising $10 million by the age of 30.
“Jeff is changing the world through art,” said Julie. “As told in our book, Lessons From CLOD, following chemotherapy and radiation, as Jeff’s parents our dream bank was depleted. We had no more dreams. Today our dream bank is bulging with deposits.”
For those interested in seeing Jeff’s art in person, there are several at the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital.
Jeff gifted a painting, titled Grandma’s Love, in memory of his grandmother, Beverly Swanson, to the hospital. It hangs in the main hospital lobby. In 2010, he gifted a collection of five paintings titled Erin’s Garden to MCMH in memory of Erin Boylan, which hangs in the outpatient lobby.
Julie said the Red Oak High School Class of 1982 also commissioned Jeff to paint State Dinner in Dublin, which hangs in the lobby at the Wilson Performing Arts Center.
“I believe every act of kindness helps create kinder communities, more compassionate nations and a better world for all … even one painting at a time,” Jeff said.
To learn more about Jeff and his artwork, go to JeffHansonArt.com.