We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Hannah Maltry a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hannah, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. One of the toughest things about progressing in your creative career is that there are almost always unexpected problems that come up – problems that you often can’t read about in advance, can’t prepare for, etc. Have you had such and experience and if so, can you tell us the story of one of those unexpected problems you’ve encountered?

My sob story is a wonderfully tragic one, so buckle up.

The short version is: I wanted to be a ballerina when I was young and toiled my days away working toward that dream. Went to the doctor for what I thought was a pulled muscle before taking off for what was to be THE summer of auditions and instead was diagnosed with a career ending disability. Six years after that I suffered a TIA (mini stroke) that still affects my dominate hands steadiness. I spent the next decade trying to replace that passion settling on graphic design in college. The “art” degree with a nearly guaranteed job at the end. Many different career paths later, including a web developer job for which I was wildly under qualified but had just enough confidence to talk my way into and I was still unhappy at work. Then came a mental health criss after having my first child which got me painting again to cope. Three years later I quit my web developer job and officially became a full time artist. Today I’m working on the dainty little project that is painting every bird in North America.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Hannah Maltry and I am from Asheville, North Carolina. My family had very little when I was young so creativity was necessary both practically and recreationally. My great-grandmother who I spent my early days with was a phenomenal artist. My father is exceptional at technical drawings and I have an Aunt and Uncle who are genuinely as close as my parents who are both mind bogglingly creative and artistically gifted. One of the most influential pieces of my childhood were the illustrated children’s books of my Aunt and Mothers from the 60’s and 70’s. I poured over them on rainy days. When the weather was better I was outside in the forest with my dog. I spent every second of daylight out in nature whenever possible. Watching the birds and reading about them while I myself was perched in the trees I loved to climb began the obsession that fuels my artist endeavors today.

I went to college for graphic design though the entire time my professors tried to talk me into becoming a painting major. I refused as I believed the oh so common rhetoric that one cannot make a living as a fine artist. Still I filled my extra curricular with fine arts classes honing my technical skills.

After I graduated I went into design (which I hated). Then communications work (which I hated) and finally web development which I loved! I even had the best boss I’ve ever had and yet I found the corporate world to be absolutely dreadful. When I fell into a nasty bout of postpartum depression after having my eldest son I started painting again top cope. Something I hadn’t done since my right hand was so affected from my TIA years earlier.

When I started painting I went back to mediums with which I was familiar. Watercolor and acrylic. In 100 days I painted 100 landscapes in acrylic from the primary colors, plus black and white to work on my weakest skill: color. By the end I could color match anything and I had greatly expanded my knowledge of the complex subject that is color. Next up was the task of finding my style. After so many acrylic paintings I knew the medium did not quite fit correctly so I stepped into watercolor and began my project again but this time only painting birds. 100 days, 100 birds and my style emerged into the mid-mod inspired, minimalist, movement filled style it is today.

I’m currently painting every bird in North America. I work in traditional, transparent watercolors outlined in India ink and embellished with metallic infused watercolors dominantly purchased from small batch, women owned businesses. I work to use sustainable products as much as possible. I sell original paintings, archival quality prints and stationary products. With only two exceptions I make all of this in house in my tiny studio. Making good use of that graphic design degree.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I have been physically ailed my entire life. I have to work every day to maintain my mobility and motor function necessary to paint. My studio in completely arranged to work standing, as my disabilities that lead to having. both of my hips replaced at 30 does not do well sitting. I paint in a way that allows me to steady my right hand from its occasional tremors left over from my TIA. In my case the mind is willing but the body is weak so I must adapt to maintain my abilities daily.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Buy work from living artists! Can’t buy? Tell your friends! Share our work, come see our shows, like our social media content that we all so heavily rely on these days. Help us get more eyes on our work in any way you can.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.maltrycreative.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maltrycreative/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaltryCreative/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-maltry-cantrell-2a376262
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@maltrycreative?lang=en