Most of the collection of work focuses on the birds Hanau has observed during her time bird watching. She collects her own photo references with a primary focus on birds at the Tijuana Estuary which are used for her paintings. Hanau uses a mixture of mediums such as acrylic, watercolor, gouache, and pastel. Some of her work has a mixture of at least two mediums in one art piece. She enjoys using toned background because it helps break the ice of creating.

Cinnamon Teal Study. Gouache and pastel on toned pastelmat. 2025

Male House Finch Study. Soft Pastel on toned paper. 2025

Life of Cliff Swallow. Pastel on Toned Paper. 2025

“This painting was inspired during my bird watching moments when I had this amazing experience of watching these swallows on the ground collecting materials. I wanted to document this moment, so I combine some photo references I took when creating this painting. Along with that I hand stitched the four small 5x7 painting to create a larger piece.”

Light-footed Ridgeway’s Rail. Watercolor and soft pastel on green toned paper. 2025

California Towhee and California Brittle Bush Study. Gouache and pastel on pastelmat. 2025.

The Elegant, Yellow-Crowned Night Heron. Pastel and watercolor on toned paper. 2025

Tijuan Estuary is Home. Acrylic on wood panel. 2025.

“This painting is dedicated to the Tijuana River Research Reserve.”