Flower Template Patterns

Self-taught artist creates with wood, iron and mirrors

OWEN - When Lynn Hansen woke up on Sept. 11, 2001, he ate breakfast and hopped into his car to begin the hour-long journey to the marketing class he was taking at Chippewa Valley Technical College.

Deciding against the radio, he instead listened to CDs as he enjoyed the drive from his Owen home, thinking it was a day like any other.

But when he walked into the school, he found TV monitors flashing images of smoke and destruction. Hansen learned about the devastating attack on the World Trade Center in New York.

"I remember feeling just sick to my stomach that day," Hansen said. "It really upset me."

Despite his anger and sadness, Hansen said he went home after class and used his creativity to turn a terrible event into beautiful and detailed art - eight mirrors that bear engravings of images from Sept. 11 and prayers for courage and peace.

Glass etchings like those found on his Sept. 11 mirrors have been a hobby and creative outlet for Hansen since 1998, he said.

Hansen has had no formal training in his art.

"I taught myself," he said.

In fact, Hansen has an associate's degree in police science and worked in law enforcement for several years.

But 13 years ago, Hansen was flipping through a magazine and saw an advertisement for a company selling engravers. Intrigued, he called to find out more and ended up investing in an engraver and short tutorial video. After that, learning the trade was only a matter of practice, he said.

Hansen said he has always been interested in art.

"In high school, instead of working on algebra or geometry, I would be drawing pictures," he said.

But learning how to etch words and images on glass was only the beginning, he said. Soon he began to wonder whether he could frame mirrors and put lights behind engravings.

"I thought, 'Wow, I could make some really nice pieces.' But I couldn't find anyone to do it for me, so that led to woodworking," he said.

Hansen began experimenting with lights and taught himself woodworking in 2005. A year later, he taught himself how to work with iron.

Soon Hansen's products caught the eyes of interested customers, allowing him to turn his passion into a business, Hansen said.

Today Hansen combines those materials in a variety of creations and operates his business, HanCraft Custom Designs, from his home. He uses his garage as a shop, where he completes etchings, details wood and molds iron creations.

spinogmoro: flower patterns and designs

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