Remembering Gardnerville artist Lynne Hanson

You've probably never met local artist Lynne Marie Hanson, but you've probably seen her work. Hanson, a longtime resident of the area, died earlier this year, but she left her mark in many ways.

Her murals are on walls in businesses and homes in Eagle and Carson valleys. In Carson City, her work includes a large Mediterranean-themed mural at the Station Grille restaurant, but perhaps the most extensive display can be found at the Plaza Hotel and Conference Center.

Mike Millard, whose family owns the business, has fond memories of the Gardnerville artist and her work. She began painting at the Plaza in 1998. So pleased were the owners that they had her paint murals in 73 rooms, primarily trees and nature scenes " work that has frequently drawn comment from guests.

"It was quite an enlightening touch to the motel," Millard said. He even had her add a whimsical touch: Since there was no floor indicator light on the lobby elevator, he had her paint one, and ever since the elevator has been "stuck on the third floor."

"She was a neat lady," he said, recalling how she had a very calm demeanor. "It would be hard to match her skills."

Where else can you see her work? Not even her friends are certain where all of the murals are, but they intend to catalog her work. In addition to businesses in Carson City, Minden and Gardnerville, it includes many homes.

One of them is the home of Eleanor O'Connor of Minden, who hired Hanson after a referral from her salon.

"She did an absolutely beautiful job," O'Connor said. Hanson's themes included archways and arbors with grape vines, which she painted freehand.

"You'd swear they were real, the way she painted them," O'Connor said. "She's just a natural born talent."

Monica Bingham of Minden, a close friend and one-time next door neighbor, said Hanson, 55, "could do anything and everything," including making furniture out of scrap lumber, which she would give away as a gift.

She would also help her friends whenever she could, and Bingham recalls sometimes she'd come home to find her friend pulling weeds in her yard.

Hanson painted less in recent years, though, because of arthritis and other ailments, but the two had planned a trip to Costa Rica together.

Her friends are also working on plans to plant a tree and place a plaque in her memory in a local park.

O'Connor said she and other friends of Hanson decided to place a tribute to Hanson in the Nevada Appeal because no obituary had been written of her death. It told of her work in downtown Carson City along Curry Street and in local businesses ... "sometimes incorporating the four seasons or old western themes or nature's bounty; she could paint it all!

"Her artistic legacy lives on. We will not forget her."

Since then, several of Hanson's friends have shared memories and found solace in remembering her.

"It really made people feel better," O'Connor said. "She existed and she'll never be forgotten."

n Barry Ginter is editor of the Nevada Appeal.