Nature Inspires Artist Who Paints the Familiar

Fay Lamson Hannon said she couldn't have a better setting for her paintings than the Massachusetts Audubon Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary.

"It's such a beautiful space to show this work," the artist said.

"When you look out the window and see the lovely woods and garden, it creates a continuing theme," she said.

 "Going Outside," a collection of 21 oil paintings by Hannon, depicts natural settings that she's seen many times and continues to love.

The exhibit, currently in the event room at 10 Juniper Rd., will be on display until Aug. 28. The opening reception is Wednesday, Aug. 18, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The paintings offer Hannon's renderings of scenes from Fresh Pond in Cambridge, several spots in Maine, the White Mountains in New Hampshire and the Potomac in Virginia.

"I didn't paint them all outdoors but each painting has been inspired by nature," she said.

"I especially like painting scenes where I've spent a lot of time."

Hannon believes artists must be interested in what they're painting.

"You have to have some emotional attachment to make a good painting," she said.

"Without a strong connection to the subject, you wouldn't have the desire to stay with it for the amount of time it takes to improve it."

As artists get better, Hannon said, they look at their subjects more and paint less.

"Instead of focusing on replicating the source material and wondering if you're made an exact copy, you ask 'Have I created a good painting?'"

Hannon only creates oil paintings. She loves the medium for its colors and the opportunity it affords to change her work without starting a piece over from scratch.

"With oil, you can paint over it, scrape it off or mix in another color," she said.

"It's exciting because you can experiment right in the moment and make decisions as a way of learning."

Hannon started painting eight years ago. After her youngest son graduated from high school, she realized she didn't have to spend so many hours driving him to various sports events and was able to devote time to a new pursuit.

"I made it my full-time job," she said.

"I didn't want to just dabble but invested in painting full-time," said Hannon.

Hannon worked as an accountant for years before retiring in 1997.

"Now I tell people I've moved to the other side of my brain," she said.

Between classes and painting in her home studio, Hannon aims to work at least four days a week.

She's had six shows since she started painting, including another one at Habitat in 2008. She said that's a fairly high number of exhibitions for a painter of her experience.

But seeing her work in a show helps her learn, Hannon said.

"When I have an exhibition and look at each painting, I have one of three reactions by the end: That's a pretty good painting; that doesn't make it but I'm not sure why; or I bring it home from the show to work on it again," she said.

Hannon is no stranger to Habitat. She brought her two sons there quite a bit when they were younger to attend classes and has walked through the trails her countless times.

"I love going past the formal garden into the woods," Hannon said.

"I've created several paintings from the scenes I enjoy at Habitat."

The exhibition is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on weekends by calling Lisa Becker at 617-489-5050 for available times. To learn more about Fay Lamson Hannon's work, visit www.fayhannon.com