John Austin Hanna (Texas, 1942-1994), "The Red Vest", oil on canvas

sight: 9 x 12 in., frame: 16.5 x 19 in.

Provenance: Property from a home in San Antonio, Texas; originally purchased from a gallery in Fredericksburg, Texas

John Austin Hanna is a Southwestern painter known for his expressive portrayals of Western life, capturing subjects ranging from Texas wildflowers and small-town streets to rodeo scenes and working cowboys. Deeply rooted in the culture he paints, Hanna draws on personal experiences and extensive research to authentically depict the rugged independence and diversity of life in the American West. Though not a cowboy himself, his familiarity with the lifestyle informs his work with realism and respect. Trained through life experience and driven by passion rather than formal schooling, Hanna paints what moves him, using his brush to celebrate the beauty, grit, and subtle details of Western heritage.