Today we’d like to introduce you to Hannah Brown.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My story, like many artists, began early in childhood guided by an artistic family. My hands were never still. I was either drawing, painting, or making jewelry out of colored wire and leather.
This artistic passion led me to Colorado State University where I graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a concentration in Metalsmithing and Jewelry. Following my education, I returned back to Dallas and started my career as a custom fine jeweler for a local elite designer.
Much of my time as a jeweler was spent hand drawing precisely scaled renderings for clients during the design process. I spent countless hours studying diamonds and gemstones and how to depict facets and the reflection of light onto a two-dimensional surface.
After eleven years of honing my craft, I felt the need to switch gears and go after a lifelong dream of becoming a studio painter.
I am now using these skills and applying them into my paintings with different techniques and applications. I happily spend most of my days alone in my studio with my dog Solo (Yes, like Han Solo. No, I didn’t pick his name).
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
My journey has consisted of smooth roads, bumpy roads, detours, and roads that seem to just go in circles.
The smooth roads were put in place by the encouragement of extraordinary family and friends. I am so very lucky to be financially and emotionally supported by my husband. This gift of time has allowed me to explore, grow, and really experiment with my paintings.
The not so smooth roads however have come in the form of feeling a bit on my own with a lack of guidance or knowledge of the industry. I mean, with so many different avenues, which is the CORRECT path for ME?! What road takes me north? Or wait, do I want to go north? Maybe I need to go South? East? West? Can I do everything, pursue all my different ideas at the same time?? The answer, I have come to find, is no. At least for now.
Listening to podcasts and interviews of other artists, reaching out to the art community and becoming more involved has really helped over the past year.
At the end of the day, I try to put my internal battles aside, focus and acknowledge it just takes time to get to where I want to go.
Please tell us more about your art.
My oil paintings are recognizable by diamonds, jewelry, and gem encrusted works.
I am currently known for painting large scale crows wearing jewelry. I really enjoy the contradiction of something ugly portrayed in a rather elegant and sophisticated manner. I also find the merge of nature with glitzy diamonds and gems interesting… a clashing of my backgrounds so to speak. The Crow Series is a bit odd and unusual, but each piece ends up with its own personality and a surreal, dreamlike mood that captures the attention of viewers.
Several years ago, I talked a lot about painting and even had the idea for the crow series well before getting started. I am proud of myself for finally picking up that paintbrush and actually doing what I had talked about for so long. I had little consideration at the time for what people would think of my work, it was just exciting for me to actually see my ideas manifest and come to life! And I am even more excited to keep moving forward with new ideas and goals!
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
By far my parents have been my biggest supporters and cheerleaders. When I told my parents I was going to get a major in metalsmithing I’m sure they were thinking ummm whatcha going to do with that Hannie?? But to me, they never once showed any sign of uncertainty.
No doubt they pushed at times for me to get moving and challenge myself, but they always had the belief (even when I didn’t) that I would be successful no matter what I did.
To this day, one of my very favorite things to do is spend the day out with my mom. We bounce ideas around and feed off of each other’s energy as we laugh at the weird things we come up with together. And when I’m unsure about colors for a painting, design questions, or I need help coming up with a title for a painting, she’s the one I call. She even jokes that she needs to be on my payroll.
Where do you see your industry going over the next 5-10 years?
I subscribe to several newsletters and recently read an article about predictions for art in the 2020’s. Among topics such as remixing museum collections, art departments diversifying, mega galleries becoming more mega, and the pendulum swinging away from figurative and back to abstraction are some changes we are starting to see and will continue to evolve over the next 5-10 years.
But the biggest and fastest trend, I believe, is how Instagram and technology have become an innovative tool for artists and galleries. We are seeing new ways to view artwork and the speed at which we can connect and communicate with people all over the world is rapidly changing the way collectors purchase art.
It really is creating an exciting (sometimes scary and overwhelming but yeah, mostly exciting) time to be an artist.
What is your favorite memory from childhood?
Hmm. Well, I’m not sure I have one in particular that stands out. I had a relatively normal and happy childhood.
My mom said I was always going 100 mph… perpetual motion. I always had friends over, I basically lived in the pool in the summer, and we always had new pets… dogs, a cat, birds, numerous fish, a rat, a turtle, lizards…
My sisters and I would joke with my parents that we were Amish because we were usually behind in all the new techy stuff in the 80’s. Instead, I remember playing drawing games with my sisters that my mom would come up with, designing and drawing detailed menus for lunch, or creating my own coloring book… I even have a picture I drew when I was six of what appears to probably be a Fruit Loop necklace that says, “I like to mack neglises”… guess it really all did begin with my love of drawing and jewelry.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hannahbrown.art
- Email: art.hannahbrown@gmail.com
- Instagram: @simply_hbrown
- Facebook: @simplyhbrown
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