Steve Hanks: Traveling at the Speed of Life Print | 1175/1650 | Mint Never Frame
Steve Hanks: Traveling at the Speed of Life Print | 1175/1650 | Mint Never Framed
Technical Details
Artist: Steve Hanks (1949–2015)
Title: Traveling at the Speed of Life
Medium: Limited Edition Lithograph on Paper
Year Published: 1999
Publisher: Hadley House
Edition Number: 1175/1650
Image Size: 30"h x 14-5/8"w
Sheet Size: 34-3/4"h x 19-1/8"w
Condition: Mint, Never Framed
Signature: Hand-signed by the artist in the lower left image area
Documentation: Includes original publisher-issued Certificate of Authenticity (COA)
Description of Artwork
"Traveling at the Speed of Life" is a masterclass in Steve Hanks’ signature style of "emotional realism." The composition features a young girl standing near a split-rail fence, her back to the viewer as she gazes toward a vast, open landscape. The title was inspired by a Julie Miller song that Hanks misheard; he found the phrase "the speed of life" to be a poignant metaphor for the duality of time—how it can feel agonizingly slow in youth yet vanish in the blink of an eye.
The work is celebrated for its intricate detail and the artist’s expert handling of light. By obscuring the subject's face, Hanks invites the viewer to step into the scene, projecting their own memories of childhood wonder and the quiet anticipation of the future. The play of sunlight across the girl’s hair and the weathered wood of the fence creates a warm, nostalgic atmosphere that is a hallmark of his most sought-after releases.
Artist Bio: Steve Hanks
Steve Hanks (1949–2015) is widely regarded as one of the finest watercolor artists of the late 20th century. Born into a military family in San Diego, his early years spent surfing and playing on the California coast deeply influenced his appreciation for the movement of water and the clarity of sunlight. He refined his technical prowess at the Academy of Art in San Francisco and the California College of Arts and Crafts.
Hanks’ work is defined by a meticulous attention to detail and a profound empathy for his subjects, primarily women and children. He received numerous accolades throughout his career, including the National Watercolor Society Merit Award and the Gold Medal from the National Academy of Western Art. He was consistently ranked among the top ten American artists by U.S. Art Magazine and was named Artist of the Year at the 1999 Pacific Rim Art Exposition.
Provenance and Authentication
We provide a 100% Lifetime Guarantee of Authenticity for this work. This print was acquired from a retired North Carolina frame shop in February/March 2026 is new and has never been framed.
Inquiry & Shipping
Shipping: Ships rolled in a heavy-duty shipping tube.
Inquiries: Please contact SecondMoonshot for high-resolution images of the art, edition numbering, and documentation.
Framing: Available upon request.
