Art School 1946-1949

JLH enrolled in Portland Art Museum School in September, 1946, soon after being discharged from the Navy in March. He worked summer breaks during art school in various positions such as a log truck driver, long shore man, lifeguard, and linemen. In 1948, JLH began constructing a home, foundry, and studio by Burnt Bridge Creek, Vancouver, WA with salvaged lumber from the Vanport flood (a war housing city completely destroyed, 2^ndlargest city in Oregon at that time). In the following year, his daughter, Valinda Jean, was born in July and he completed the first studio section and two rooms of the house. By 1950 JLH completed building the bronze foundry in the studio from salvaged industrial materials and had graduated from the Portland Art Museum School.

During this time period, Annie, who was always supportive of her artist husband, kept working and ended up with the Phone Company on the swing shift. This was ideal for JLH as he could continue attending art school, building their home, studio and foundry, during the morning and afternoon hours and then he could care for his daughter, Valinda, while Annie worked. You could say they were ahead of time, they had a vision and they both believed in it. After their second daughter, Yauna, arrived in 1956, Annie was able to quit working and tend to both the girls and help JLH in the foundry and elsewhere wherever she was needed.

1946 – Enrolled in Portland Art Museum School in September – worked summer breaks during five school years as a log truck driver, long shore man, life guard, and lineman.

1947 – Cary Life Drawing Award, Portland Art Museum School, Portland, OR.

1948 – Began constructing home and studio by Burnt Bridge Creek, Vancouver, WA, with salvaged lumber from the Vanport flood (a war housing city completely destroyed by flood. 2nd largest city in Oregon at that time).

James Lee Hansen (kneeling), Rick Norwood, Jack Hammack, and Manuel Izquierdo in sculpture studio class at the Portland Art Museum School, c. 1949; Courtesy of Pacific Northwest College of Art Charles Voorhies Fine Art Library Archives.

1949 – Daughter, Valinda Jean, born July 18th.

1949 – Completed first studio section and two rooms of house.

1956 – Daughter, Yauna Marie, was born April 13th.