Of Norwegian descent, Scott-Hansen grew up in Denmark, the U.S. and Norway where she began her formal art training, working primarily in mixed media.

Always, it was textures that intrigued her: the old iron hinges on Scandinavian doors; scraps of iron, whether rusted and rough or smooth and new, struck her as rich and elemental. By the late 80's her work in textured collages had changed into a complete devotion to the artistry of welded steel.