Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Hanna.
Kelly, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Never in a million years would I have predicted that in my forties I’d become an artist. Even after I had been painting for a few years, it still was hard to say the words “I’m an artist” when asked what I do for a living. It can still feel surreal at times.
My creative life started in my late teens when I was dead set on being a fashion photographer. I was so inspired by Patrick Demarchelier, Steven Meisel and Peter Lindbergh. When I was in college, an art director suggested taking a graphic design class to help my photographic eye. I did and an entirely new world opened up to me. I credit the professor, she inspired me both creatively and in my personal life as well.
After that class, I landed an internship in the art department of a top fitness magazine and that lead to eight years art directing in the editorial world. It combined my love of photography with my love of design. I enjoyed those years tremendously but by the time I turned thirty, I felt uninspired and craved more outside of the magazine world. It was then that
I started my own design firm. For thirteen years, I built up a client base of fashion and entertainment photographers, fashion designers, jewelry designers, clothing stores, wineries, etc. I had an eclectic group of clients and I loved the freedom that came with running my own business. I’m very proud to have accomplished that in a city like Los Angeles, where I’ve lived since I was 22 years old.
Ultimately, I began to feel unchallenged, and I wondered what else was out there for me. It took a few years of pondering what to do before I slowly closed up shop, taking on less and less work. I spent my time writing, I took a sewing class, I even took improv classes at The Groundlings, which was a total blast. I highly recommend everyone do improv once in their life. Then one day I thought about creating art on canvas, so I bought some materials and started to experiment. I think the first time I sat in front of a blank canvas was my first panic attack, I didn’t know what I was doing.
I painted some wild abstracts and created collages from my old fashion magazines and finished them with surfboard epoxy. I loved the process, but one day I felt like painting an ocean to hang in our dining room. That piece is called “Mauna Kea”, named after a special place in Hawaii. From that one ocean painting, I had friends and family who wanted pieces and it started to evolve. I’ve been painting ocean inspired art ever since. I am branching out now to paint more abstract landscapes and palm inspired pieces, and I’m excited to see where it’ll take me over the next few years.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I can’t imagine anyone having a completely smooth road when starting a new business but it’s been a fun challenge, I’ll say that. I’m navigating an entirely new world. I have no fine art training and I didn’t study fine art in college, my focus was on photography and design. At times it can feel overwhelming, especially when self-doubt kicks in. I try to squash that immediately because I know it’s just part of the creative process and it always passes.
One of the biggest challenges in terms of the business side is that now I am selling an actual product as opposed to offering my design services. It’s exciting because I’ve designed logos and marketing for many brands over the years, and now I get to figure out my own marketing strategies, but then I tend to overthink everything and that can often lead to procrastination. With that said, I’ve been designing and re-designing my e-commerce site for about a year. I’m hoping to launch it within the next couple of months. I hope that doesn’t jinx me!
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know? What are you most proud of and what sets you apart from others?
I am a mixed-media artist specializing in abstract landscapes. I paint using acrylic and natural materials such as palm fronds, seeds, dried bird-of-paradise flowers, bark, etc. I tend to use bright colors and people love that, but lately I’ve been experimenting with neutral tones and dark palettes, which I’m really enjoying. I love every color of the rainbow and I’d like my art to reflect that.
I’m proud when I hear people say my artwork makes them happy, that it soothes their mind. I’m proud when other artists reach out and compliment my work and tell me I’ve inspired them. I’m proud to give back to ocean conservation organizations, such as Oceana. I’ve donated an original piece for the past two years to their annual SeaChange Summer Party, which is their largest fundraiser of the year. The pieces are auctioned off and all proceeds go towards helping save the world’s oceans which is very important to me.
I’m not sure what sets me apart from others, but I do feel I have a distinct vision and that shows through in my work. I’ve been told often from collectors and other artists that they’ve never seen anything like my art and that’s very encouraging to hear.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I am definitely not a person with regrets, so I’m not sure I’d do anything differently. I’ve always had a lot of interests and I often wondered what my life would be like if I had focused on dance or the music industry. I think I would have made a great music executive and I’m still someone who loves a good dance party. Perhaps in the next life. Who knows!
Contact Info:
- Website: kellyhannastudio.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/kellyhannastudio
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/kellyhannastudio
Image Credit:
The image of me and the image of the orange painting in front of palm trees are by Isabel Macias – her instagram is @bellacreativeps
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