Today we’d like to introduce you to Hannah Hawthorne.
Hannah, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’ve always been drawn to art, even as a child. I have distinct memories of painting with watercolors at my kitchen table, and coloring tons of pictures to be displayed on the fridge. I was fortunate enough to attend an elementary and middle school where the arts were prioritized, and I even got to have the same art teacher kindergarten-8th grade. I always enjoyed her class, not because I was the best artist, but creating was genuinely fun for me. Growing up, I always told people “I suck at art, but it’s a lot of fun!”
Fast forward a bit to 2017, and halfway through my sophomore year of college, I went through a really tough time mentally. And I found myself at such a low point and even questioning if life itself was still worth it. I ended up seeking out professional help, but I still needed a creative outlet to help me process everything and to ease my mind at the same time. I bought a sketch pad and some pencils and began to sketch some of what I was going through. I realized that sketching wasn’t my thing, so I tried a lot of different mediums and techniques to create art. During that search, I stumbled across a style called, “fluid abstract art”. The videos were not only satisfying, but the art that was created was so captivating. I’m someone who tends to get “stuck in their head” and focuses way too much on being perfect, and I found relief in being able to let go of some of that mental weight for awhile. So, I bought the cheapest materials I could find and I gave it a try. From that moment, I was instantly hooked.
In 2018, I began posting small snippets of what I was doing on my Instagram stories just to show my friends and family. I created an art page, and in February of last year, a friend reached out to me because she wanted me to create a piece for her new kitchen. I had never been asked to do commissioned work before (or even sold a painting!) I was nervous, but I went for it and I haven’t looked back since.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It hasn’t been an easy road. One of the many struggles, that I still encounter would be a lack of space to create. I still live at home with my parents, (who are the best parents in the world by the way), but my only work area is their kitchen, and only a small part of it, because I live with other people who need to use the space as well. I often have to leave pieces out to dry for a while before I can move them somewhere else to give myself room to create another piece. I would love to have a studio space to create in one day, but in the meantime, it’s just me and the kitchen counter. haha.
In addition to that, learning how to work with certain paints, pouring mediums, and inks has also been a learning curve. It’s half art, half chemistry and I was never a science person, so I can’t even tell you how many pieces I have ruined because the consistencies or ratios were off, or even the temperature in the room was too hot or too cold. There’s also good old’ artist’s block that bites me from time to time. I’ll often go months without creating a piece or even starting one because I don’t feel an ounce of inspiration or have any idea as to where to even start.
Additionally. motivation has always been a battle for me in a lot of different areas because as someone who lives their day to day life with clinical depression and anxiety, a lot of days are about surviving, and sometimes my motivation to even do the one thing that I love most completely goes out the window.
I also find myself falling into the death grip that is the classic, comparison trap. There are SO many talented artists out there and they all inspire me, but if I’m not careful, I begin to compare my work to theirs. I had to learn that I will never create art like them because I’m not them. But, I am me, and I can create like me, which is more than good enough.
And as much as I don’t want to admit it, I have a hard time incorporating the business aspect that is necessary to run your own art business, alongside the creative, often scattered, follow-my-heart personality that makes up who I am. Numbers aren’t the most important to me, promoting myself on social media feels inauthentic, “branding” makes me feel like I’m stuffed into a box, and I can’t branch out, scheduling, emailing and all things business aren’t particularly enjoyable for me, and I sometimes let my lack of enjoyment for that, prevent me from continuing to work. I’ve learned that it’s a balancing act between the two, but for my sanity and quality of life, I still plan on investing in a personal assistant in the future. haha.
Please tell us about your art.
Currently, Art By H. Marie is purely abstract art. For now, I mainly work with fluid acrylics and alcohol inks, but I have been exploring different mediums within the last few months. I create art inspired by nature, my emotions, society, people, and sometimes the colors and patterns I see in my head when I’m listening to music.
As an artist, I have had to learn how to stand my ground as a creative who monetizes their work, while still remaining true to my own personal values and needs. When I started selling my artwork, I made a promise to myself to remain true to who I am as an artist, meaning that I create pieces from my heart and because I’m excited about what I’m making. I can confidently say that each piece is created with love, passion, and from a place of me wanting to create something I’m proud of.
I truly care about each piece that I make and where it ends up. It’s not about selling as much as I can, it’s about quality and creating pieces that I love and waiting for them to resonate with someone who loves it too. Lately, I’ve been trying to create some of my pieces with a story from either my own life or the lives of those around me. to bring hope, moments of healing, and messages of encouragement. I have plans to combine my love for writing with my art pieces soon, and I can’t wait to show everyone what I have planned!
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
This is honestly a really good question that I’ve never thought too much about before, but maybe I should. In today’s society there’s an overwhelming amount of pressure to have your life figured out, even when you’re as young as I am. I know that for me, I often look around at my peers and I don’t feel successful at all. But I’m learning that I can’t place my entire worth, or how successful I am, in a college degree (because I don’t have one), I can’t place it in a high paying, and glamorous dream job, (because I also, don’t have one either, and jobs come and go), I can’t place it in social status, money, followers on the internet or the amount of material items I have to show off, because all of those things are fickle and can change with only a moment’s notice.
Lately, success for me has looked like reflecting on who I was yesterday and striving to be a little bit better today. Success looks like baby steps and taking risks. Success is trying something new, failing at it, having the humility to admit you can’t do it all, grace to give yourself for not being perfect, and still having the courage to try again next time. Success looks like being content with where I’m at and trusting in the unique purpose Jesus has specifically designed for my life, even if I don’t see it yet.
Contact Info:
- Email: artbyhmarie@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artbyhmarie/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArtByHMarie/
Image Credit:
Emily Dukes
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