Colleen Hanley grew up in a large family, the youngest of four brothers and three sisters. She left her South Carolina home while still a teenager and traveled south to Costa Rica, and then to San Clemente, California where she currently lives with her husband and son. Colleen surfed her way through many amateur and professional competitions, but decided to make art her career. Her time in Costa Rica inspired her use of vivid colors. Her love for surfing and writing/singing/playing music can be found in her smooth strokes that flow seamlessly on the canvas. Her work captures the essence of stoke that many surfers experience in the water. While not all of her art is surfing specific, it definitely plays a huge part. Colleen is the official artist for the USA Surf Team, her artwork has appeared in Billabong stores, and she’s designed logos for various companies, and has donated her work to breast cancer awareness. While oils on canvas are her first choice, she¹s also put paint pen to surfboards and skateboards.

Why do you like to paint?
Painting is an outlet for me much like surfing is. You need no words, no rules and no deadlines, it's the most beautiful thing to teach a child and also it releases stress builds confidence and allows me to share good imagery with the rest of the world.

What is your inspiration?
Musically, my brother Kevin Hanley and also Bob Marley. Artists that impress me are Pablo Picasso whole line of work and Remi Bertoche.  As a writer I'd have to say my mother and also Any Auto Biographical author who is either an athlete, chef or teacher. As an athlete I'd always look to my older sisters Kathleen and Christine also my brother Joseph. As a surfer I admire Freida Zamba, Occy Clay Marzo, Dane Reynolds and Courtney Conlouge.

 

What are your goals?
To continue to progress in all aspects of life,  whether it's being a better communicator, companion to my child or just being able to land front-side airs in the water. Daily challenges are numerous so, maybe to cut down a few a year would be just fine. More openness and also allowing for more patience in order to develop more of my skill. And usually these things lead to a better mind set, a better day and also to sell more work to the international crowd.