American Iconography and Mountainscapes Take Center Stage

Photo: Jared Hankins Fine Art

Realism has always been the cornerstone of work by self-taught artist, Jared Hankins. His career began with creating package design and branding for large corporations, and it was then that Hankins began to hone his style, pushing the boundaries of balance and composition with a focus on texture and film elements to create a vintage look.

“My artistic path has always been rooted in a realistic, contemporary take on the American West,” Hankins explains. “I really began to explore with black and white paintings that forced me to examine the contrast of cool and warm tones to create dimension within the work.”

Photo: Jared Hankins Fine Art

 With an artistic journey that is anything but straight, Hankins learns through extensive trial and error. “Art is about exploring and incubating concepts until I’m able to align my vision with my ability,” he says. “There are ideas that stay dormant until the right set of control, ambition, and ability come along to make it happen.”

Born and raised in Denver, Hankins began painting in his early 20s. His experimental style became popular in the Bay Area, and he cultivated a group of Blue-Chip collectors who were admirers.

Photo: Jared Hankins Fine Art

Hankins was drawn to a technique that “pulls the painting” vertically and horizontally incorporating streaky brush and palette knife strokes. This gives his work a vintage quality that is reminiscent of old film. “The technique gives my paintings a loose and accessible take that creates added visual interest,” he notes. This technique has become a part of Hankins’ artistic signature.

Mountainscapes and wildlife have been frequent subjects of Hankins’ work—but the discovery of iconography offering relatability and nostalgia has become a popular part of his portfolio. Depictions of Americana, including bowling alleys and roller coasters, invoke the charm of the American experience.

Photo: Jared Hankins Fine Art

“Almost everyone has a roller coaster story,” Hankins relates. “They recall the first time they rode one, who they were with, or what happened before, during, or after the ride.” The same goes for images of vintage ski boots and art based loosely on American outdoor sportsmanship, celebrating memories of a love of skiing and the ski town experience.

Hankins’ work can be seen in commercial spaces including the Ritz Carlton in Bachelor Gulch, the Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom in Denver’s Five Points, and the Denver Four Seasons Hotel. 

Photo: Jared Hankins Fine Art

The Vail Raitman Art Galleries exhibition runs from June 15 to July 15 with a special event hosted by the gallery and sponsored by Oskar Blues Brewery on July 5. To learn more about Jared Hankins, please visit his website. To view exhibition schedules, please visit the Raitman Art Galleries online events section.

Photo: Jared Hankins Fine Art