My Instrument Series celebrates the intricate craftsmanship of and details of musical instruments. From the delicate keys of woodwinds to the glittery power of brass, each piece highlights the unique character of these musical tools.
Bass Clarinet
I painted this bass clarinet watercolor art in watercolor and ink.
Bass Headstock
This was painted from an upright bass that I photographed at a music festival.
Bassoon and Contrabassoon Reeds
Painted in layered watercolor with ink accents, this piece celebrates the handmade precision of the double reed. By focusing on the tools of the craft, this artwork honors the patience and dedication required before a single note is even played. Thanks especially to Rhonda who sent me this beautiful photo of her reeds. Created on…
Bassoon Reed Watercolor Painting
Painted in watercolor with orange ink details on 300 lb hot press paper.Original measures 6″ x 11″ and includes a certificate of authenticity. Ships unframed. This watercolor features a pair of bassoon reeds painted in rich purple and orange, with subtle hints of pink and green. The layered color and delicate linework highlight the craft…
Bb Clarinet in Peacock | Musical Instrument Painting
30″ x 6″ original watercolor on 300 lb Arches paper, May 2025. Bold, fluid, and alive with color, Clarinet in Peacock is painted with vibrant washes and cool turquoise lines. This tall, narrow piece will be a conversation starter with its rhythmic detail and vertical presence. Part of my ongoing music series, this work makes a…
Bb Clarinet on Cobalt | Musical Instrument Painting
30″ x 6″ original watercolor on 300 lb Arches paper, June 2025. Bold, fluid, and alive with color, Clarinet in Cobalt is painted with vibrant washes and cool cobalt blue lines. This tall, narrow piece will be a conversation starter with its rhythmic detail and vertical presence. Part of my ongoing music series, this work…
Bb Trumpet
Original is about 20″ tall and drawn with a dip pen and painted in watercolor.
Black and Green Oboe | Musical Instrument Painting
This large-scale oboe artwork will be a pop of color perfect for your music studio or music classroom. Exuberant and colorful, display your love for your musical instrument on your walls with art from my music series. This is a gallery-wrapped print of my original watercolor painting is printed on high quality artist-grade canvas or…
Blueberry Oboe
This oboe was inspired in part by one that I thought I wanted to play in middle school. This blue and gold watercolor might make a thoughtful gift for a music teacher or oboe player.
Capo and Headstock
The bright pink-coral hues and vibrant details of the guitar and capo make this piece a unique and eye-catching addition to any room. Whether you’re a musician or simply appreciate the beauty of musical instruments, this painting is a fun and creative way to add a touch of musical inspiration to your home.
Cello Headstock
I painted this little quinacridone colored cello headstock in watercolor on rough paper.I recently ordered some beautiful heavily textured watercolor paper. The deckled edges and the rough texture of the paper make this little sketch rustic and ethereal at the same time.
Cello Headstock in Strawberry
I painted the scroll and tuning pegs of a cello because this quiet corner holds so much history and touch. Strawberry tones soften the structure and bring warmth to the wood. I painted this after a watercolor workshop with my mentor Carol Carter, and I pushed the size and color farther than I usually do.…
Clarinet in Crimson
The clarinet is a true workhorse of the orchestra; a versatile and expressive instrument that holds an important place in every ensemble. This striking piece captures the full length of a standard B-flat clarinet, rendered in rich crimson and designed to bring a bold statement to any space. This 10″ x 30″ art print is…
Clarinet in Plum
Clarinets have been used in a wide range of musical styles and traditions, from classical music to jazz to popular music.
Colorful Clarinet
This colorful clarinet watercolor was inspired in part by one that I played in middle school. There are so many complex valves and buttons on this glittering instrument, and I loved studying them to get them in the right spot.
Colorful piano keys
At home in a piano room or music room, this piece was painted from our 1920’s parlor grand piano.
Cunningham
One of my most popular prints, I painted this colorful piano keyboard from my family’s 1920’s Cunningham parlor grand piano.
Double Reed No. 2 in Orange & Violet
Painted in watercolor with fine ink accents on 150 lb cold press paper.Original measures 5″ x 13″ and includes a certificate of authenticity. Ships unframed. This tall, expressive watercolor captures the delicate structure of a handmade oboe reed, rendered in bold orange and violet. Painted with care and precision, the piece honors the quiet craft…
E-flat Alto Clarinet in Purple and Turquoise
This watercolor highlights the unique beauty of the E-flat alto clarinet, with its graceful lines and distinctive “fish key.” Layered washes of vibrant purple and seafoam turquoise bring the instrument to life, capturing both its elegance and its playfulness. The original was created with watercolor on 300 lb hot press paper and measures 9″ x…
Eb Alto Clarinet in Blue Watercolor by Jamie Hansen
Painted in watercolor with fine ink accents on 300 lb hot press paper. Thank you, June, for the reference photos of this beautiful vintage instrument.Original watercolor measures 6″ x 14″ and includes a certificate of authenticity. Ships unframed. The E♭ alto clarinet stands as one of the most expressive voices in the clarinet family, bridging…
Eb Alto Clarinet Watercolor art by Jamie Hansen
Prints: archival paper or gallery canvas. Seldom spotlighted. The alto clarinet is the rarely featured middle voice between the B♭ and bass clarinet. June, a past client, sent reference photos of her newly purchased instrument to me. A luminous study of an uncommon woodwind: transparent violets and teal washes, fine linework, and soft edge blooms…
Eighteen Keys
I painted this fragment of a piano keyboard because repetition and spacing carry their own rhythm. I like how a partial view lets the mind finish the music. I painted the original years ago and finally decided to release it as prints. I gave the original away, but prints are available. Prints ship unframed unless…
Electric Guitar Headstock
The electric guitar is a type of guitar that uses a pickup to amplify the strings’ vibrations, allowing the instrument to be heard at higher volumes. It was developed in the 1930s, and has since become a staple of popular music, appearing in a wide range of genres from rock and blues to jazz and pop. This is the headstock of my son’s electric guitar.
English Horn Bell in Indigo
I focused on the bell of an English horn and used deep indigo tones to emphasize depth and resonance. I love how this single area holds so much of the instrument’s character. Max in Arizona suggested I zoom in on this exact section, and I took his advice. The curve, the shine, and the weight…
English Horn in Blueberry
This artwork of the English Horn uses layered watercolor and fine ink to highlight its unique sound. Featuring deep ultramarine and soft seafoam colors, it brings a calm and elegant presence. The original measures 11″ x 22″ on 300# arches hot press paper with deckled edges and includes a certificate of authenticity. Prints are available…
English Horn in Raspberry
The English horn has a voice that is rich, mellow, and unmistakably soulful. This watercolor painting captures a close-up view of its intricate keys and glowing wooden body, rendered in shades of deep raspberry with washes of lime green and gold drifting through the background. Part of my music series, this small piece celebrates the…
Euphonium in Blueberry
A vibrant watercolor captures the intricate beauty of a euphonium in cool blueberry hues. I photographed this pretty and shiny euphonium at the VMEA 2025 conference. Original Artwork Medium: Professional watercolor on heavyweight 300# hot press paper Dimensions: 8″ x 8″ Pigment Note: Features a beautiful granulating pigment called Glacier Green, accented with Magenta and…
Flute in Moonglow and Magenta
This piece captures the graceful voice of the flute, an instrument that brings a bright and ethereal quality to any musical performance. Painted in a wash of vibrant magenta, moonglow and cool green, this artwork reflects the instrument’s melodic and a little mystical sound. The original is a watercolor painting created on 300# arches hot…
Four Valve Euphonium
I centered this piece on the valve cluster of a euphonium, where mechanics and music meet. I painted the weight, the spacing, and the places hands actually touch. I photographed the source instrument at the November 2025 VMEA conference while I wandered the manufacturer booths looking for reflections and angles to paint. I drew the…
French Horn in Orange
The French horn, also known as the horn or simply the “horn,” is played with a hand-held cup-shaped mouthpiece, and is known for its versatility and ability to play a wide range of pitches and dynamics.
Glockenspiel
This watercolor captures the clean geometry and reflective surfaces of a glockenspiel, balancing precision with softness. I met George at American Drum while I was photographing instruments at VMEA, and he generously let me capture this glockenspiel. I tested a few color arrangements on my iPad, then committed to this one, bright gradients and all.…
Harp in Blue and Ochre
A watercolor painting of a harp in a striking palette of blue and warm ochre. As a former student of the piano, the harp feels similar, and informed this piece. Capturing the intricate pegs and strings without overworking them was a challenge. It took me two tries, but my hope is that fellow harpists will…
Honey Colored Baritone Horn
I painted this baritone horn for its rounded form and supportive voice. Honey tones give it warmth, weight, and a little glow. I photographed the source instrument at VMEA in 2025 because I love hunting for shiny brass at those tables. I built the color with undersea green, then I sparked it with nickel azo…
Lavender Euphonium
I painted this euphonium in lavender tones to balance strength with softness. The color feels unusual on brass, and that is exactly why I wanted to try it. I photographed the instrument at the 2025 VMEA conference in Norfolk, Virginia. I used new Daniel Smith colors, including lavender and wisteria, and I let them behave…
Lemon Mallets
I painted these mallets in bright lemon tones to give percussion tools the spotlight they deserve. I love the balance of repetition and tiny variation across the set. I photographed the source mallets at the American Drum table during VMEA in Norfolk, Virginia. George filled his table with beautifully arranged percussion instruments, and I left…
Lemon Viola
The viola is a stringed instrument that is similar to the violin, but has a slightly larger size and a lower pitch.
Martin Guitar Headstock
I painted this acoustic guitar headstock to honor the wear, craftsmanship, and familiarity of a well-loved instrument. I leaned into color and shape more than brand or exact replication. I photographed this from my husband’s guitar, one of our favorite acoustics in the family. I intentionally left the logo off and pushed the saturation because…
Microphone
Something beautiful happens in repetition. We create ourselves in the act of showing up at the same spot in the morning before the sun rises, or by not being afraid to fail and start again. We practice again and again for that one fleeting moment on stage.
Oboe Reed Watercolor in Orange and Violet
Original measures 6.5″ x 11″.Includes a certificate of authenticity. Ships unframed. Celebrate the subtle beauty of sound with this small watercolor painting of an oboe reed in vibrant orange and violet. Inspired by the artistry behind double reeds, this piece highlights the elegance and precision that oboists bring to their craft. (Frame not included.) This…
Piccolo in C – Watercolor of a Wooden Piccolo
My painting of a piccolo will brighten the walls in your music shop, studio, music room, or band room. Whether you’re a musician who feels every note or a collector drawn to the poetry of everyday objects, Piccolo in C is a pretty fragment of song, ready to be matted, framed, and hung in a…
Piccolo in Purple & Orange
Painted in vibrant watercolor, this piece captures the lively and bright voice of the piccolo, an instrument that adds a touch of brilliance to any orchestral performance. The rich purple and fiery orange tones celebrate its powerful sound and dynamic presence. Created on high-quality 300lb hot press watercolor paper with delicate deckled edges, the original…
Raspberry French Horn
The French horn, also known as the horn or simply the “horn,” is a brass instrument that has been a staple of classical music for centuries. It has a distinctive, mellow sound and is used in a wide range of musical styles, from classical to jazz and popular music. The French horn is played with a hand-held cup-shaped mouthpiece, and is known for its versatility and ability to play a wide range of pitches and dynamics.
Saxophone in Lavender
The saxophone is a woodwind instrument that was invented in the 1840s by Adolphe Sax. It has a distinctive, warm and rich sound, and is used in a wide range of musical styles, from classical to jazz and popular music. The saxophone is played with a single reed mouthpiece, and is known for its versatility and ability to play a wide range of pitches and dynamics.
Silver Coronet
I painted this coronet to capture the compact elegance of a brass instrument people often hear but rarely study up close. I focused on the curve and shine without turning it into a sterile object study. I mixed cadmium scarlet with phthalo blue to build the silver tone. The blue settles smoothly across the heavier…
Silver French Horn Watercolor art by Jamie Hansen
11″ x 15″ original watercolor on 300 lb Arches rough watercolor paper. Prints: archival paper or gallery canvas. The luminous heart of the French horn—valves, rotors, and looping silver tubing—abstracted into cool teal and deep blue with flashes of warm brass light. Rough 300 lb paper adds crisp broken edges and natural texture the camera never…
Sousaphone in Magenta
A vibrant watercolor painting of a Sousaphone, bursting with energy in shades of magenta and drawn in lavender black iron gall ink. This colorful source photo was a gift from an educator at the 2024 VMEA Conference: the original image was captured by a marching band student. It’s a celebration of music, education, and the…
Straight Soprano Saxophone in Magenta
A vibrant watercolor painting captures the sleek form of a straight soprano saxophone, painted with a palette of magenta and Indanthrone blue. This piece was painted from a photo I took at the 2025 VMEA conference. Original Artwork Medium: watercolor on 300# hot press Arches watercolor paper Dimensions: original is 13″ x 6″ Pigment Note: Painted…
Sunrise
Sunrise began as a study of light spilling over the piano keys, but as the colors spread and the ink lines found their rhythm, it became something more. This 15″ x 30″ watercolor with ink accents glows with the energy of morning, when sound and color meet for the first time each day. The original…