We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Hannah Gaffney. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Hannah below.

Alright, Hannah thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

As a fiber artist my work ranges from bookbinding to illustrative pattern design to weaving. Growing up I had teachers who saw the joy I found in learning about these crafts and encouraged me to keep practicing them. I don’t think I would have done anything to speed up my learning process, because it’s happened in such an organic way that has really shaped who I am as a person. When I first learned about bookbinding, I went to a small school and noticed the art teacher making a book. I didn’t have any classes with her, but she was happy to teach me, and from there my passion grew and I began to teach others this amazing new skill. I used to attend watercolor and drawing classes and it’s interesting to think back on how, because that was all I knew, I just figured maybe I’d be some sort of illustrator one day. I was very focused at that time on the idea of having a particular style, so although I became good at technical skills, I would get really down on myself that my work didn’t feel cohesive. I think my time at SCAD has taught me that process beats style. I’ve learned that when I can create from a place of joy or curiosity rather than pressure to be “perfect” my work feels truer to myself, I end up learning more about the skills I’m using and myself, and in the end my work tends to feel cohesive because it’s coming from my heart.
Weaving is a somewhat newer craft I’ve learned but has become essential to my work. I technically learned about weaving on a frame loom in elementary school and loved it, but I didn’t pick it up again until just a few years ago in an introductory techniques class at SCAD Fibers. We learned many different weaving techniques on the frame loom, and ironically, I didn’t find much joy in it and didn’t love it as much as I had originally. However… I then took a weaving course learning how to use the, much larger, and more complicated frame looms, and my passion for weaving was rediscovered. There is still so much I haven’t explored in the craft, but it has become so important to me for multiple reasons. First being, the meditative quality weaving has. Its repetitive motions are something I find to be incredibly soothing. I also have been lucky enough to spend time working at the Nantucket Looms as a production weaving intern. This experience was so important for me to be able to see how the craft that I love could turn into a career.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Hannah Gaffney, aka, One Eyed Bunny. A name that stems from a shirt my aunt gave me, which says, “there’s nothing funny about a one eyed bunny.” and of course her own one Eyed bunny, Minkus. Growing up, art was like therapy for me. I struggled with battling chronic Lyme disease, and though I wasn’t always able to be in school, I was always busy creating. I still struggle today with my mental health and creating is always something I can fall back on. My art Comes in many forms; Weaving, print and pattern design, bookbinding, etc. I’ve always been interested in textiles, antiques, collecting, and storytelling, much due to the influence of my mother, Missy, and My Grandmothers, Bubbie and Giggy, who share my love of collecting and antiques. As I’m still in school, my work is at times functional, but often experimental and a chance for me to interact with the world around me. A lot of my work tends to revolve around themes of tradition, Judaism, family history, and I’m really proud of the way my practice has evolved into something so meaningful. For a period of time I was taking bookbinding commissions, but currently, I’m taking time away from both school and commissions to focus on my health as well as to take some time to be creative, removed from the pressures of school, employers, etc. Sometimes, you need to remember for yourself why you find joy in creating.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I think at times people underestimate the amount of work and energy goes into being a creative. By no means do I take for granted the fact that I’m privileged enough to make this my path and talented enough to make it a profitable path. However, I often get frustrated when people seem to assume that because I am talented, it is easy, or because my work may look aesthetically pleasing, my life is the same. I think it’s important to remember that everyone has their struggles, and for me a lot of my struggles come in the form of mental health issues, which my art can be an outlet for. I also recognize that art is something that keeps me grounded, and so I couldn’t see myself going down any other path. Because of this, it’s something I put my all into. On social media, most of what’s shared doesn’t tell the full story. so you don’t always see the hours of thought and deliberation put into a project, the testing of materials, the practice of technical skills that once were challenging for even the most talented artist, and the struggles someone goes through to then transform it into something meaningful.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Currently I’m having to go an unexpected route in my journey, as I’m taking time off from school. Because of this, I’ll have to attend school a year longer than expected, but it felt like the right decision. As I’ve mentioned, I often struggle with mental health, and when I’m in school it’s easy to put too much pressure on myself and let my anxiety and depression snowball. Although it wasn’t an easy decision to make, I decided that I value my health more than I value societies idea of success. I’m setting goals for myself to help me rediscovering my love for creating and to feel stronger going back to school.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://oneeyedbunny.wordpress.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oneeyedbunny/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannahegaffney/