Today we’d like to introduce you to Hannah Claire.

Hi Hannah, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?

I have been creating art for a long as I can remember but what I would consider the first spark of my passion for art would be school project when I was 10. We had been given an assignment in class where were assigned an historic individual which we were to create a small presentation to show in class. I was assigned George Washington Carver. Knowing most kids were just going to write a few paragraphs to read a loud. I of course had to be different so I decided to draw a portrait of George Washington Carver to go along with my presentation. That was the first freehand drawing I had took any pride in. Through the years my grandma would encourage and help flame my passion for art. We would stare at her paintings as she told me about when she used to spend hours working on them. She would also tell me how important it is to reach for dreams whenever ever you get the chance no matter how hard it became. With her bits of wisdom in mind I kept creating. Challenging myself a little more each time. After I became an adult I got lost in life tirelessly working to survive until finally one day I realized that a golden opportunity wouldn’t just fall into my lap. I had to make the choice to go for it. To finally stop making excuses and find the courage to reach towards my dream.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?

I always want to chuckle a bit when I get asked something like this because there has been very few moments in my life that were what you would consider a smooth road. Growing up wasn’t easy for me or my sisters. Our childhood tended to be very tumultuous. From one day to the next we never knew what to expect. Sometimes even one hour to the next. Those that were supposed to love is and take care of us unconditionally spent their time working or running from their own problems through addiction which made it impossible for them to be present for us in the ways that all children need. In a lot of ways our childhood was stolen from us. Circumstances forced us to mature much beyond our years. My older sister having to raise me for a good portion of childhood and I in turn having to do the same for my little sister. There were a lot of times that we had to figure out ways to make our own bits of money so that we could eat and get school supplies. The constant rollercoaster we had to become accustomed to left me with loads of anxiety and depression and PTSD. Creating art was the first healthy form of coping I found when I was young. It helped pour my emotions out and connect with parts of myself that I had no idea how to. It also allowed me to calm my mind when the intrusive thoughts wouldn’t stop. I found joy in art when I thought I would never be able to find joy or happiness in anything.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?

I am a freelance artist from Iowa. I like to create vibrant, colorful works of art mixing realism and abstract. I mainly use watercolors and acrylics but I also dabble a bit in pastels and charcoals. I normally paint portraits of people, animals, plants, and landscapes, although I would say my specialty is the animals, flowers, and birds. My fellow artists would probably say I’m known for my use of vived colors and the way I can transition those colors. I still have so much I want to accomplish with my art career but I am most proud of how far I’ve come and how much I persevered. I remember when I was in high school so many would ask what I want to do with my life or where did I see myself in 5 or 10 years. I spent most of days wondering if I would even make it to adulthood so I never knew how to answer those questions. One thing I did know is I never wanted to lose the joy I found in creating. I finally decided when I was about 17 that I wanted a career in art but when I found the courage to tell my dad he became livid. He yelled and yelled saying there could never be a future in art and that I would accomplish nothing, that I would be nothing. When I tried to stand up for myself, telling my father that art was still what I wanted to do, he stormed into my room grabbed all of my art and through it in the fireplace. That was probably one of the most emotionally crushing moments of my teenage years. It was like watching parts of myself being burnt down to nothing but ash. I cried for so many hours that night. When my father finally left the next day my little sister came out holding the only one of my drawings she was able to hide before my father had burnt the others. I blubbered and started crying again thanking her saving it. Honestly I don’t think anything sets me apart from the others. I know they always say you need to find something that makes you stand out from the others but I’m just me. Just doing my best to get past simply surviving, to feel like I’m actually living while also trying to be a better person and help leave this world a better place then when I came into it.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?

The art industry is on a precipice. It’s a little hard to judge exactly where it will be at in 5 or 10 years especially after the creation of AI. Hopefully AI doesn’t overtake the creation of art and doesn’t discourage the next generation from wanting to dive in and be their own artist. I do think that art is going to have a huge role in showcasing and possibly illuminating struggles with diversity and social justice in the next few years.

Pricing:

• Commissions range from $50-200;per painting
• Prints range from $5-40 depending on size
• Original paintings range from $50-225
• Painted lanterns range from $80-150

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.hclaireartz.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hclaireartz
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hclaireartz/