Though Rich Hanlon spent his childhood painting flames on model cars for his friends in the orphanage and redrawing every issue of MAD Magazine, he never believed he would be an artist. Throughout his life, he enrolled in the army, serving as an Army Ranger for almost 15 years, attended college, and worked at UPS. He continued to paint, but he never pursued art full time. However, “one thing expands into another and another and another,” he says, and life takes us by surprise.
In October 2022, Hanlon retired from his job at UPS to commit to painting as a career, and his business has only grown from there.
Now, as Hanlon embarks on an art study throughout Pleasantville, where he has resided since 2011, his work is displayed in stores across town such as The Black Cow, Pubstreet, Dolphin South Trattoria, Jacob Burns Film Center, and more.
Hanlon often paints seascapes and landscapes, but his work for Pleasantville storefronts has taken a different form. He captures local shops and restaurants from a unique perspective that highlights the warmth, ambiance, and energy they bring to the community. And he never knows when inspiration may strike.
After eating at Pubstreet late one night, Hanlon stepped outside to see the lights on in The Black Cow illuminated against the darkness. Reminded of Edward Hopper’s painting Nighthawks, he took a picture and began painting the next morning. His work is now displayed in The Black Cow for customers to enjoy as they sip their morning coffee. Though this type of work is different than Hanlon is used to, he thoroughly enjoys it: “I like the challenge,” he says.
Even as the focus of Hanlon’s paintings shifts, the heavy texture, depth, and brilliant colors that define his work remain. Completely self-taught, Hanlon learns and grows with each painting:
“I immediately look at the painting I just finished, and I know I could’ve done better… so you grow with every painting,” he shares.
Whether in regard to his creative process, a new commission, or the direction of his career as a whole, Hanlon is simply “letting it free flow and seeing where it goes.” After all, he never thought his art would be so successful in the first place. “I’m actually surprised,” he says. “Everybody says you can’t make a living doing art, to get a real job and keep that as a hobby, but it’s actually really been growing… and it’s surprisingly fun.”
Rather than putting energy into a rigid plan that will likely change, we can learn from Hanlon to put our energy into where we are now and take a chance. He is giving his all to each new painting and opportunity, allowing life to surprise him, and enjoying it along the way.
Hanlon is able to see his hard work pay off as he walks around Pleasantville to see his art displayed. “It makes me just melt,” he shares. “I just want my art to be on other people’ walls.” As his art hangs in homes and local shops, Hanlon hopes that the joy his paintings have brought him can be shared and enjoyed by others.
