Check out Hannah Aaron’s Artwork

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

Hannah, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
Like many artists, I found drawing as a way to escape. As a kid, I often felt frustrated and isolated by my lack of communication skills, so I would draw. When I was twelve, one of our neighbors saw my love for drawing and paid for me to have a few months of private lessons. My parents were penny pinchers, so I was extremely grateful for this opportunity. Many of the components I learned were collegiate level skills. In high-school, I began to experiment with watercolor paints. During this time, I was angry, impulsive and careless. It wasn’t until I had a spiritual experience with Jesus, that everything changed for me. It was like I had been living in a world of sepia, and my world was transformed into living color. My paintings became more confident and reflected my new reality. I submitted a watercolor portrait into the 2008 AP College Board Exhibition, and my work was accepted out of 36,000 submissions. My painting traveled in the exhibition for a year. At this point, I knew I could make a career out of painting. Eight years and two universities later, I finally received my undergrad degree in Drawing and Painting. Right now, I am halfway through the graduate program at the University of North Texas and teach foundation level Drawing classes.

We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I’m a figurative oil painter, primarily. My work reflects my love for people and spiritual experiences. For example, the figures are often in a transcendent or euphoric state. In many of my paintings, the figure will be fully described in one area, and other areas of the painting are loosely painted with contour line, as though the figure is being sculpted or unraveling. Realism and abstraction, are essential components to my work because they reflect the abstract nature of prayer while relating to the confines of the human body. If there are any takeaways, I want viewers to know they have permission to fully express themselves, like I have with my spirituality. And of course, I want a visually stimulating painting for people to enjoy.

Have things improved for artists? What should cities do to empower artists?
In many ways, conditions for artists are easier with the reach we have through social media. The challenge then becomes battling the stigma of self-promotion. Nobody likes being marketed to. So, presenting oneself authentically on a social platform is absolutely necessary. For me, most of the opportunities I discover have been through social media. I think if Dallas had stream-lined source of opportunities, grants, funds, events, and gatherings for artists, it would help create community, in the long run. Many of the opportunities that I find are scattered and unaffiliated. Instagram is and will be, a great way to draw Dallas artists to these sources.

Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
I have a thesis exhibition in the Spring of 2020. This is a great opportunity to see my work in person. If you would like to see my work digitally, Instagram is the way to go @hannahaaronart. I update my IG more regularly than my website, although both are avenues of viewing. An awesome way to support me would be to purchase a painting! This would help me pay for grad school (help a sister out!). If anything, coming to my thesis exhibition would make me feel so supported. If you follow me on Instagram, I will keep you updated on the time and location.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.artworkbyhannahaaron.com
• Email: hannahaaronart@gmail.com
• Instagram: hannahaaronart

Image Credit:
Hannah and Wade Aaron

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