About Us
This journey started with a deep appreciation for a beautiful, time-honored art—and a desire to make sure it continues.
When I had the opportunity to acquire the stencil collection of Jean Hansen, I knew it was something special. Jean spent decades designing these layered stencils, each one carefully created to bring depth, shading, and a distinctive three-dimensional look to theorem painting. Her work reflects not just skill, but a true love for the craft.
I feel incredibly honored to now be the caretaker of her designs.
My goal is to preserve what Jean created while also making it accessible and inspiring for others. Whether you’re new to theorem painting or have loved it for years, these stencils are meant to help you create something you’re proud of. The layering process, the blending of color, the moment when the design comes to life—it’s something really special.
Traditionally, theorem painting was done on velvet. Today, I offer kits using velour board, along with other surface options, so you can explore the art form in a way that fits your style. At the same time, I remain committed to honoring the roots of this tradition.
This isn’t just about selling stencils.
It’s about keeping an art form alive.
I’m excited to share this work with you and to see how you make it your own.
Check out some finished works in the portfolio section.
Meet Jean Hansen
Jean Hansen has over 50 years experience in the field of Decorative Arts as a student, teacher, designer, retailer, and distributor. An RN by profession Jean has made her living in the decorative arts since 1971. She was owner of the Tinker's Painter in Old Saybrook from 1980 to 1986 one of the largest decorative painting shops in CT at the time. She is often recognized for her stroke work in Early American Tole Painting and Rosemahling Techniques.
She is perhaps best known for her teaching and design contributions to the Art of Theorem Painting, her focus, since the early 1980s. Jean was one of the first to make the switch from artist oils to the Paintstiks early in the 80s. Touch of Velvet II is considered the cross over book for the updated technique. She was also the first Theorem designer to have her designs laser cut (1989) which made this beautiful technique doable for most anyone. She is especially known for her floral and bird designs which are used by many muralist throughout the country.
She has taught at numerous national and regional conventions for the National Society of Decorative Painters and The Stencil Artisans League. She is currently a member of the Bridgeport Art League.
Her designs have also been frequently featured in such publications as Painting Magazine, Tole World, Priscilla Hauser’s Workbook, Craftworks for the Home, Paintworks, and Somerset Magazine. In the mid 80s she was contracted by Binney and Smith to do a book called Kinder Bears which featured their Liquitex products and Jean's well known Teddy Bear Designs. She self published the classics, Touch of Velvet I (out of print) and Touch of Velvet II.
Jean’s products can be viewed on line at www.jeanhansen.com Jean has traveled from New Hampshire since 1996 for her All Day Workshops in Middletown, CT. This is one of the most incredible creative groups Jean has ever taught. It is their motivating force that has enabled Jean to produce more than half of the Jean Hansen "Stencil with a Difference" Collection.
In April of 2014 she was honored to be asked and to teach two classes at the Museum of Modern Art in New York city for a Allison Smith Workshop within a week of relocating back to CT to be closer to family and students and now resides in Middlebury, CT.