For Mercer Island resident Louise Hankes, getting into painting was a way for her to find the playfulness in art once again.

“I was always trying to prove that my art was legitimate,” said Hankes.  “These are just fun.”

An experienced printmaker, Hankes worked for a number of print and sign-making companies throughout California before making her way to the Northwest. She’s since dabbled in a variety of other mediums: silkscreen, etching, watercolor, woodcarving, glass blowing, multimedia and sculpture – as well as jewelry making. Hankes will make her debut as a painter at this year’s Bellevue Festival of the Arts, July 27-29.

Inspired by a number of her father’s Norwegian Rosemaling wood carvings, Hankes’ “Whirlism,” series combines airbrush acrylic paints and organic swirls on canvas to create pieces vibrant in both look and feel.

While Hankes originally thought about making the whimsical images using printmaking techniques, she had a change of heart when she started painting with a handful of friends on a weekly basis.

As far as method, Hankes said she starts by mocking up the painting on small tiles.

“I have tried to do some without the thumbnails,” Hankes said. “But all of the ones I’ve tried didn’t turn out.”

She then sketches the shapes on the canvas using a pencil. Next, she paints the background – and moves to the more eccentric shapes from there.

“Sometimes [the idea] is in my head, sometimes it’s not,” Hankes said. “Sometimes, I just let the shapes speak to me.”

The “Whirlism” series was originally intended to be a series of eight paintings. Eighteen months later, Hankes has completed 24 different works of art.

In regard to the festival, Hankes said her interest was sparked after checking it out a few years ago.

“[My husband] wanted me to try and sell other art I’ve done,” Hankes said. “But it’s not what I wanted to do.”

Hankes said she decided to submit her work to the Bellevue Festival of the Arts jury because it had a different feel than other fairs she has looked in to.

“The other shows I checked out didn’t seem as artist friendly,” Hankes said.

She said the organizers of the festival have been extremely supportive in helping her prepare.

Hankes currently works in a studio located in the basement of her house, a creative space she also shares with her son and daughter, ages 10 and 12.

‘They’re really into it,” Hankes said into her childrens’ involvement with her paintings. She adds that there individual interests in art have been a major inspiration to the project.

Hankes said her painting is also inspired by her years as an art docent at Lakeridge Elementary.

In addition to 24 large format paintings, Hankes will have a number of Giclée (fade-resistant, archival) prints for sale. The large format paintings (36×36) range from $1500-2500. The giclée prints will be in the $200-250 range. In regard to the small space her booth provides, Hankes said she will have a catalog with pictures and descriptions of each piece for sale.

Hankes said her experiences with painting has sparked her creativity so much that she hopes to take elements of the series in to different mediums. She is especially interested in making the whimsical shapes in to metal sculptures for her garden – and has already begun to make prototypes out of cardboard. She also has a new series of paintings in the works – of which the details she is still figuring out. She said, it will involve even more color, textures and shapes.

To see more work by Louise Hankes, go to www.visualizeart.com. You can also stop by her booth at the Bellevue Festival of the Arts, July 27-29, near Cost Plus World Market, just north of Bellevue Square.