Mette Hanson

Artist Bio:

I am delighted by the intricate wonders of nature. I love the beautiful forms and patterns I can see out on a walk and also the hidden ecological relationships that take longer to discover. My work as a free-lance artist and as an exhibit designer at the Woodland Park Zoo gives me opportunities to study both the art and science of nature. I have worked in fabric to create models of fish lifecycles and the internal anatomy of animals from cats to cockroaches. I’ve worked with clay to create carved tiles representing northwest animals—you’ll see some of these in the residence halls at Islandwood. Right now I’m primarily doing blockprinting from woodcuts, featuring northwest scenes and animals.

My work also gives me the opportunity to teach kids, which I find inspiring and fun. We’ve dug clay and done sawdust firings, made paper and baskets, experimented with natural dyes and practiced drawing animals and plants. I look forward to exploring blockprinting and watersheds with kids at Islandwood!