The parents of a self-taught, visually-impaired artist are pushing the charity efforts of their son forward in Nebraska. Jeff Hanson raised millions of dollars for charity before he died two years ago, all through his colorful works of art. In the 27 years of his life, Hanson raised over $7 million for charity. Hanson's style was defined by bold use of colors in high-contrast, heavily-textured canvases that pop off the walls. But there was a reason for Hanson's style; He was born with neurofibromatosis, which causes Hanson to have brain tumors that damaged his vision. "He started painting simple watercolor notecards, and eventually, those watercolor notecards became heavily textured Acrylic on canvas," said Julie Hanson, Jeff's mother. It is this style that a group of Creighton medical and art students sought to emulate on Tuesday, with Hanson's parents, on their own canvasses. "For me personally, I'm blessed to be able to contribute to his art. He's a big donor of the community, and a lot of people know him," said Monty Khela, a Creighton medical student. "Jeff's life was about love, kindness and generosity. So this giving of paintings to live charity auctions is how he became defined. He didn't wish to be defined as the kid down the street with a brain tumor," said Julie Hanson.Hanson credited his poor vision for helping him create his style of art, which now hang in the homes of Warren Buffett and Elton John. "Focus on what you can do, not what you can't do," said Julie Hanson.Hanson's family has the goal of reaching $10 million for charity in honor of their son.Watch the video above for the full story.
The parents of a self-taught, visually-impaired artist are pushing the charity efforts of their son forward in Nebraska.
Jeff Hanson raised millions of dollars for charity before he died two years ago, all through his colorful works of art.
In the 27 years of his life, Hanson raised over $7 million for charity.
Hanson's style was defined by bold use of colors in high-contrast, heavily-textured canvases that pop off the walls. But there was a reason for Hanson's style; He was born with neurofibromatosis, which causes Hanson to have brain tumors that damaged his vision.
"He started painting simple watercolor notecards, and eventually, those watercolor notecards became heavily textured Acrylic on canvas," said Julie Hanson, Jeff's mother.
It is this style that a group of Creighton medical and art students sought to emulate on Tuesday, with Hanson's parents, on their own canvasses.
"For me personally, I'm blessed to be able to contribute to his art. He's a big donor of the community, and a lot of people know him," said Monty Khela, a Creighton medical student.
"Jeff's life was about love, kindness and generosity. So this giving of paintings to live charity auctions is how he became defined. He didn't wish to be defined as the kid down the street with a brain tumor," said Julie Hanson.
Hanson credited his poor vision for helping him create his style of art, which now hang in the homes of Warren Buffett and Elton John.
"Focus on what you can do, not what you can't do," said Julie Hanson.
Hanson's family has the goal of reaching $10 million for charity in honor of their son.
Watch the video above for the full story.
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