When Frank Hanavan wakes up to go to work, he picks up his easel, a few brushes and several acrylic paints and stands on the corner of a busy Hoboken intersection. He paints for hours if the weather is nice.
Hoboken has been Hanavan’s inspiration for more than a decade. He has painted almost every section of the mile-square city, and for the first time ever, a collection of his work can be found at the Hoboken Historical Museum on Hudson Street. The show is called "Painting the Town."
Many collectors of Hanavan’s pieces have loaned museum curator Bob Foster their artwork for a show that will be displayed until Dec. 28.
"He is a down-to-earth guy with a real romantic vision of our town," Foster said. "There’s always a parking spot in his paintings. He captures the Hoboken we all want."
Hanavan moved to Hoboken more than 10 years ago. Born in Buffalo, N.Y., he studied art at the University of Buffalo, the Art Institute of Chicago and the Chautauqua Institute. He moved to New York City after school and he lived there for several years.
Using a technique popularized by the Impressionists at the turn of the last century, Hanavan started painting New York City landscapes.
He eventually moved to Hoboken with his sister. On the weekends, Hanavan said he started walking around town and taking snapshots of his favorite areas. When he came back to his home, the snapshots inspired him to paint a rendering on a canvas. He realized he was good at it, and soon after, Hanavan was bringing his art tools to city corners.
"People stopped me on the street and asked me if I could paint their home or business," Hanavan said. "That’s when I began getting commissions. A lot of merchants wanted me to paint their stores."
Hanavan has painted almost every storefront on Washington Street.
Residents and visitors to Hoboken alike will recognize many scenes in his paintings, like Washington Street green groceries, corner bars, brownstones, sidewalks showered with spring blossoms, and even the Mr. Softee truck.
Most of his recent works have been commissioned by businesses. They include the pizzeria Benny Tudino’s, the Frozen Monkey Café, the restaurant East L.A., and Maxwell’s restaurant and club.
For the "Painting the Town" exhibit, Foster has matched late 19th and 20th-century views from the museum’s collection with some of the paintings to further our understanding of continuity and change in Hoboken.
"The owners get very attached to the paintings. It fills a void in their lives," Foster explained.
Hanavan may be a realist painter with romantic views, but his paintings have also helped preserve some history in Hoboken. The development boom of the ’90s on the waterfront and the addition of many new businesses changed the face of the town, and Hanavan has painted much of it. Some of his pieces of the Lackawanna terminal and Pier A Park do not have recent buildings in the background. The sky is more visible and less people are on the streets.
"I never thought of myself as a historian. I’m a painter that provides a service," Hanavan said. "Modern art has let the common man down. I give them art they can use, and feel for."
Hanavan moved to Jersey City last year, but he still does the majority of his work in Hoboken. He also paints several New York City neighborhoods.
On Oct. 19 at 3 p.m., Hanavan will be at the museum to discuss his work and answer any questions people may have.
"I really enjoy painting the parks. Church Square is very visual and Stevens has a great view," he said.
The museum is located at 1301 Hudson St. in Hoboken. For information call (201) 656-2240 or visit www.hobokenmusuem.org. q