Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Danny Hanson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Danny, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?
For myself, I find that simply calling attention to me being the only Chicanx present can make a big difference in how much sway I hold in leadership spaces. A lot of organizations pride themselves on being colorblind, but I’ve found that pretending everyone in the room holds the same amount of privilege and has the same background can be stifling at best, and oppressive at worst. When I point out that I’m the only Chicanx, and in some cases, the only nonwhite individual, my opinions tend to hold more weight. It also forces everyone to consider how to diversify. My goal in situations where I’m the only nonwhite person is to bring in more nonwhite people. If I’m the only Chicanx, I will ask ‘why’? In those scenarios I will also always try to engage with other People of Color, to try and form some solidarity. There is power in numbers.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am a practicing artist. I currently live in and work from San Jose, California. This informs my work, as I like to focus on California wildlife when I choose to draw plants and animals. I love what I do because my work helps me connect to myself, and find the joy of living. When I am creating, I tend to get lost in thinking about my life, myself, and the choices I make. Especially when making geometric patterns, I enter a meditative and reflective state. I depict people, animals, and places that I love. I think that my work is unique because I combine bright colors, living forms, and abstraction. I am inspired by feminism, my queer identity, my racial identity, children’s media, forms from nature, the sea, and simple shapes. I also specifically aim to depict women of color (especially Chicanas) because I want more artwork to exist celebrating the beauty of brownness. I am also a board member for Works Gallery, a San Jose non-profit organization dedicated to uplifting local artists. I am the volunteer coordinator, and I really love engaging with my community to help our organization reach everyone that needs it. Our current exhibition is the Community Art Auction, wherein many local artists donate their work to our gallery to help raise money for us. Up to 50% of the proceeds go back to the artists as well. Auction night is Saturday, April 6th beginning at 5pm at Open San Jose!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Honestly, I think that the three things I have working in my favor are hard work, passion, and luck.
It has taken me a long time to acknowledge to myself that I work very, very hard. I’ve heard the story from teachers that I am lazy and always taking short cuts. Peers have told me they don’t understand how I’ve succeeded since I don’t seem to work that hard. Even the stereotype of the “lazy Mexican” has permeated how I view myself. But the truth is, I am always trying to promote myself on social media, network with my peers, and take as many opportunities that come my way. I read books about art techniques regularly, because I believe I can always improve my work. I don’t consider drawing to be my “hobby”, I consider it my career. I take it very seriously, while working a day job as well. One thing I’ve noticed newer artists doing is not taking themselves seriously. I think that can really work to their detriment, because if you don’t take yourself seriously, no one else will. It’s a fun career, but it’s still a career like any other, so dedicating your time and energy towards improving relationships, marketing, and your practice will really help you shine.
I think that my passion for the arts has also helped me. I love creating artwork, but I also love hearing others talk about their artwork. I want to look at art every day of my life. It’s a highlight of my entire week to hear an artist tell me about their process. I grew up in Silicon Valley, so I’ve seen a lot of peers end up following careers that they don’t like, and aren’t passionate about, because they are chasing success and money. While it’s definitely a practical choice in todays world, I myself couldn’t live that way. I am wholeheartedly dedicated to art as my life, and I think that passion has allowed me to take on leadership positions to help other people realize their passion too.
Lastly, luck is honestly on my side. I don’t want to diminish the qualities that I have, per se, but I have to acknowledge what has allowed me to get as far as I have. I was very lucky to go to private school for all of my primary education, and I was very lucky to go to college and get my degree in art. My day job, which taught me so much about networking and interfacing with the public, came to me because my mom also works there. These were all things that gave me the tools I needed to get my work out there and eventually become a board member. I think it’s important to know how you’ve gotten to where you are. My advice for everyone is to take advantage of what you’ve been given. Say yes to good opportunities that come from friends or family. Play off of the strengths of what already exists in your life.
All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
I would say that my biggest challenge right now is Imposter Syndrome. As a person of color, it’s really easy to fall into the traps of white supremacy. There is subliminal (and sometimes overt!) messaging in our culture all the time trying to convince us that we’re forever “less than” white people. I find myself feeling that I don’t deserve to have all the wonderful things that I’ve worked so hard to bring into my life. I worry that my contributions to board meetings aren’t smart enough or relevant enough. I catch myself thinking that my artwork is only mediocre, that the skills I’ve cultivated just aren’t good enough. And yes, I play the comparison game on social media all the time! This has been an ongoing battle in my life, and I find that what helps is to once again draw attention to white supremacy. What I tell myself is “I won’t let white supremacy speak using MY mouth”. What that means for me is letting myself make mistakes, and genuinely celebrating my wins. It also means that I listen to other People of Color, be it through writing, music, or visual arts. It reminds me that the way that I am is okay, and that I deserve success just as much as anyone else.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://dannyfelizhanson.com/
- Instagram: hubris.jpeg
Image Credits
Lauren Crittenden (1st image only)
