Bret Hansen

Bret Hansen originally from Baltimore, Maryland is a painter and graphic designer based in Los Angeles, California.
His design career spans art direction roles in publishing, branding and advertising at firms in New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles. His bold, dynamic designs can be seen in everything from album covers to advertising campaigns. Bret received his MFA in design from Virginia Commonwealth University and later taught design courses at Pratt Institute's graduate program in Manhattan.
Bret's paintings blend expression with a graphic design sensibility and explore themes of alienation, disorientation, authenticity and hope. Incorporating a graphic design sensibility, the artist's approach in his painting emphasizes clean lines, geometric shapes, and a vibrant, synthetic palette. Elements like artificial paint drips and pixellated stars form a visual language that bridges a digital aesthetic with painterly expression. Bret's canvases reflect our struggle to find footing in a world turned upside down and our persistent, sometimes defiant, drive to seek out light and balance amid chaos. Bret's work is a testament to his ability to evoke emotion and provoke thought through his art. His paintings serve as a mirror to the complexities of the human experience, capturing the essence of our society's constant evolution and the individual journeys we all embark on.