Original Oil Painting by John Austin Hanna. “300 SL Mercedes Gullwing” – 24″ x 48″

RS Hanna Gallery is proud to present a one man show of family member and quintessential Texas artist, John Austin Hanna. The shows opens Friday, March 2nd, Texas Independence Day and will be on display through March 31.

John and his wife Sherry moved to Fredericksburg in 1978 when “we made that fateful drive through Fredericksburg on the way to Big Bend and fell in love with the historical feel of the city”. He was ready and happy to trade in the “big city skylines” for the rock houses, livestock, and landscape of Gillespie County. “In 1978, Fredericksburg wasn’t the tourist destination and retirement community it is today,” he explains. “For several years I worked in two rooms over Dooley’s Five and Dime, and later in a small house. “These days, I like to get up early, grab a cup of coffee and head out with my camera to see what’s new. I never run out of things to see and see things I want to paint” he says.

This year John donated a painting entitled “Ridin’ High” to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. The painting will be unveiled in a ceremony during the Rodeo this year and become a part of the “Hanna Collection” of artwork on display in the executive offices. The “Hanna Collection” consists of 9 paintings; the eight events of the rodeo and a large painting that commemorates the 150th anniversary of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

A limited edition, hand signed and numbered canvas giclee print of “Ridin’ High” will be available.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is the world’s largest and richest live entertainment and livestock exhibition. 2011’s attendance topped more than two million people and has always drawn some of the world’s biggest name recording artists, (Presley, Dylan, Willie, George Strait, ZZ Top)