Meet The Maker: Hannah Jane Art
We jumped at the chance of a quick catch up with our friend and artist (of the most dream inducing pieces) at a really important stage of her journey. Hannah Radford had just moved into her new creative space, Sunny Studios which she shares with fellow artist, @Rachaelmayneart. The new paint was barely dry when we emailed Hannah to find out all of the details and plan a catch up to hear all about this huge step. Hannah’s pieces are a reflection of her own sunny disposition which is translated into playful, brave usage of colour - literally the stuff that dreams are made of. Think thick, rich texture and fluffy paint clouds of gorgeous colour – and you will find Hannah Jane Art.
Image left: Hannah amongst her beautiful artworks in Sunny Studios
What’s the vibe in Sunny Studios? Are you radio on or radio off? It's exactly what you'd imagine from a place called Sunny Studios - light-filled, warm and inviting. We always have music playing. Sometimes it's upbeat and poppy to give us a burst of energy, and other times it's something more mellow to help us sink into the flow (especially if we're chatting while we paint). It's a happy, creative space.
We’re very excited for you and your art, having moved into your very own studio. Will you hold in-house events or are you also exhibiting at galleries? Where can people go and see your work up close? Thank you - it's a very exciting step for me. I absolutely plan to host exhibitions at Sunny Studios so people can see my work in person. We are also open by appointment so anyone can get in touch to arrange a time to pop in for a viewing. I'm looking forward to hosting workshops as well, where people can come and get creative with us. There's a lot more to come - watch this space!
UPDATE: Hannah’s work is also now available via Turua Gallery
What’s your process for thinking up/starting on a new piece? I am still in a very experimental phase of my practice where I'm figuring out what art I want to make and how I translate that from my mind to the canvas, so there is a lot of play and trial and error involved. Sometimes I'll go days or weeks where nothing feels right and then suddenly something will just click, whether it's the colours or the texture or the composition and I'll then form a mini collection from there.
How do you decide on colours? Is it quite seasonal or is it just a feeling you get once you get started? Colour is one of the things that drives my whole process - I often notice it before anything else. I might see a flash of colour in a window, on a piece of clothing, a flower, a cloud - it can be anywhere - and I'll feel the need to capture it. I usually snap a photo or screenshot and that often becomes the seed for a painting. It's definitely intuitive and mood-based. I know I've got the right colour or colour combination when I feel a visceral reaction to it - it just clicks. If I don't feel it, I know it's not quite there yet.
“I realised I’d been waiting for permission to take art seriously and then one day I just realised - if you want to make art, start making art.”
Image: Hannah Jane Art
Thinking about your own personal journey and how you have pivoted your career and now becoming an Artist - what would be your top 2 pieces of advice in getting started?
First, commit to a regular practice - even if it's just a few hours a week. For over a year this time for me was all about experimenting and playing, with no pressure on the final outcome. That consistent time helped me grow so much. Second, find a cheerleader - a friend, partner, or family member who believes in you and reminds you to keep going, even when you feel stuck. For me, something shifted around my 40th birthday. I realised I'd been waiting for permission to take art seriously and then one day I just realised - if you want to make art, start making art. Up until then I'd done so many courses in painting and ceramics as a creative outlet but never thought it was something I could just do on my own. That realisation changed everything. That, and consciously deciding I was making art for myself, because it brought me so much joy and peace, gave me the confidence to start sharing my art with others
What are your thoughts and feelings on AI in the Art World?
Oh big question! AI is both incredibly exciting and a little terrifying! I love seeing what it can do, but in many ways my work is the opposite of AI. I'm drawn to texture, to visible brushstrokes, to the physicality of paint on canvas. There's something irreplacable about the feeling you get from a painting that's been handmade - where you can see and feel the artist's hand in every mark. That's something AI can't replicate.
Yummy is the word that comes to mind whilst swooning over Hannah’s art. Her pieces would work well in many interior schemes, bringing a unique and playful element to any space. Whether as a curated group of pieces dotted throughout, telling the story of a fun and whimsical place of interest, or a single framed canvas in a cosy corner – Hannah’s distinctive style creates an overwhelming sense of curiosity, sparking both the active and dormant imagination of those who are lucky enough to interact with her pieces.
Since we were last in touch with Hannah, she has launched some very exciting additions to her collection. Sunny studios is also evolving as a space and they are now hosting open studio days; creative collaborations and has become a local hub of delight. Hannah generously shares the journey, process and her exploration of works over on her instagram @Hannah_jane_art or you can keep up to date by visiting her website www.hannahjane.nz. We can’t wait to see her future collections!
Hannah Jane Art - Sunny Studios
39A Stanhope Road
Mt Wellington, Auckland
