We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Hannah Miner. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Hannah below.
Hannah, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
As an artist, it can be very difficult to fulfill your creative practice into a career. A lot of risks are taken. I’ve seen some artists who work a part-time job to help pay for the bills while they’re also selling their art as their primary source of income. I’ve seen artists who work full-time jobs and use their creative practice as a side income. I’ve seen artists who have taken the hugest risk of leaving their job to fulfill their life as an artist. All of these creative routes are beneficial in their own ways, depending on the person taking the path. Personally, I’ve been on all of these paths at one point or another in my life.
By the end of 2019, I graduated college with a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts and a concentration in Studio Art. I was residing in Texas around this time with the intent to move; I had no job planned after I graduated nor did I really know what I wanted to do next. I was working a dead-end job as a fine dining server and creating art just for my own pleasure when I felt like it.
I had always talked about becoming an illustrator but didn’t have the resources or the confidence to accomplish what I dreamed of doing. Right after graduating, the pandemic hit; my job ended up getting severely compromised, I was mostly staying home except for the few pick-up/delivery shifts I was working. While I was miserable doing this, it gave me time to seriously consider where my life was heading and what I wanted to change. I spent months pushing ideas around, and with the encouragement of one of my friends from college, it was around a year later that I chose to sell my art for extra income. The risks I would be taking were very high considering I was not guaranteed to sell anything; I actually ended up getting some backlash from my job for this decision; my boss actually told me no one would ever want “dead animals” hung on their walls and that I was “selling my art for nothing”. Nonetheless, I chose to start.
I started with a 4′ table and just a few 8.5″x11″ prints from a local printing company. For my first show, I only sold one piece. I was rather discouraged, though unwilling to give up. By my next show, I readjusted my print prices and setup which resulted in a way better outcome; I was selling so much more. After a few good shows, I began doing more shows at different bars and managed to make extra income. It made me so happy to see that I was going in the direction I wanted to, regardless of how small it was. Because I chose to sell my art, I managed to save enough money to move out of Texas by June 2021.
Around the middle of 2021, I moved to Fort Collins, Colorado. I started working as a full-time server once again. I felt as if I had restarted back to step one, which honestly felt a little depressing. On top of that, I didn’t know anyone in the area and had no guide. It was definitely a lonely start.
Around the beginning of 2022, however, I met a bartender who told me about music venues needing local art vendors for their shows; I didn’t see any other way of starting my artist career again, so I decided to give it a try. From that show, I met MULTIPLE artists who I immediately connected with! It took a small show where I didn’t sell much to find those few connections that lit up the path toward local art markets.
A couple of art shows and a lot of encouragement later, around May 2022, I was faced with a risky decision. At this point, I was working a full-time serving and bartending position where I was not happy at all. A few opportunities were knocking at the door meanwhile that wouldn’t fit my schedule as a server… so I made the riskiest decision to quit my serving/bartending job to sell my art full-time rather than continue to compromise myself for a dead-end job. It was a terrifying decision to make because I was not guaranteed a job if I wanted to go back. Nonetheless, I chose myself and left to pursue my passion.
Months passed by and I was managing to pay my bills with just my art. It was an incredible feeling! While I had a lot of trial and error in the process, I still succeeded in making ends meet, throwing money back into my business, and creating a life that felt worth living! Through that process, I’ve met a ton of incredible artists, created portraits of pets that brought my friends a lot of joy, and improved my quality of life.
I’ve been selling my art for about a year now. There have been pros and cons of my decision that I have faced. And while I now have a part-time job at a music venue for extra income, I still pay all my bills with my art. Making that transition was the best decision I have ever made for myself. My life is a million times better off than it ever was prior because I chose to take that risk.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Hannah Ruth Miner, and I am a watercolor artist residing in Fort Collins, Colorado. I’ve been drawing since I was a toddler and never really stopped. Art classes have followed me from elementary school to college. I was always drawing, whether it was doodling on my notes, or complex sketches in my sketchbook. Human figures and animals were always prominent interests of mine. I found the most passion when I was drawing life in my own complex way; my favorite topics to pair with life were darker aspects such as trauma, human emotion, death, grief, and mental illness.
It’s been years since I made the decision to get serious about creating these surreal, eccentric images replicating macabre themes of life and death. My work has in a way evolved with me. I’m still obsessed with creating these masterpieces and especially love it when people give me commissions where I can replicate this theme into a relatable piece for them – in a way, I feel like I can connect with people on a further level with my art which in return fulfills me. Creating an image where the animal is replicating an abstract concept such as “loneliness” or “anxiety” while also following lighter topics such as “love” and “forgiveness” helps me remain in touch with my own humanity while also allowing me to explore further wild ideas which create further beautiful concepts. It almost feels like a dance between the philosophical debate of life and death.
Drawing keeps me sane while also acting as a reminder that I am still alive and vulnerable; in a way, my practice prevents me from losing myself.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
Support locally! Go to local markets and First-Friday shows! Talk to the artists about their journey and practice! Most don’t bite ;)
But seriously, there are tons of local artists that love what they do. Keeping that creative drive is what brings a community, whether big or small, together. I think art is what gives color to this earth and keeping that flame burning bright is essential to a happy, healthy, colorful society.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
I literally just started. It was terrifying and I didn’t think I was going to get far, but I started anyway. Do not let your fear of rejection stop you from starting; that’s the biggest hurdle artists have to go through. Despite thinking people would hate my work, I made an artist account and began posting my art there. It didn’t matter if the art was good or bad, I just posted. Eventually, people began noticing my work and began to follow me! The algorithm is difficult for artists nowadays, so consistency is important. Keep drawing and keep posting! Another thing I’d recommend is to get your art on walls; there are tons of local businesses that want to support local artists. It’s how people recognize your work! The best way to build an audience is to either create a QR code for your profile or get business cards when you go to markets or show your art on walls. People will follow you and your name will spread! I sold a couple of huge originals because someone saw my pieces at a market, took my contact information, then a couple of months later said they wanted to purchase it. Believe me when I say this, while exposure shouldn’t be your only payment, it CAN pay your bills in the long run! 
Contact Info:
- Website: www.hannahruthminer.com
- Instagram: @_hannahminer_
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hhminer
Image Credits
(c) Hannah Miner Art