We are delighted to kick off our new store and wall gallery opening with the red, white, and blue works by Hannah the Artist.
Hannah the Artist
Hannah is a 35 year old female artist on the Autism Spectrum. She is non-verbal, but communicates using sign language, gestures and through her art. Hannah receives residential services from CTA Community Supports to live as independently as possible.
Discovering art
From the beginning Hannah has always enjoyed coloring and drawing, but began actively painting in 2008. Shortly after graduating from school, Hannah began attending an adult day program for people with autism and developmental disabilities known as ADAP. Suprisingly, she became the most active participant in their Creative Arts Program. It was there that Hannah was first introduced to the world of painting.
During her studio time Hannah was given various materials and was challenged to choose and experiment with different mediums. Slowly, through consistent routine and positive encouragement, Hannah was able to sit down, choose her colors and paint.
Art technique
Today she prefers to use a sponge brush and tempera paint on large canvases and boards. She uses different types of lines to fill the entire surface with repetitious pattern, texture, color, shape and direction.
While painting her lines start off as straight, all running in a similar directions. After a while she varies the lengths and directions of the lines, filling the surface with contrasting intersections and blocks of color. Over time her paintings have started taking on a more figurative and landscape like quality. Additionally, her lines change constantly, first into a looping, circular pattern, and then into a stippling like technique that resembles reptile scales. Each painting is a different combination of these line techniques that she uses to break up the space in different ways.
Art today
Hannah is a very prolific painter. Undeniably, painting and creating her art is now the most important part of her day. In line with the nation wide movement to support people with disabilities and with autism in a more inclusive and individualized manner, Hannah now has her own art studio. Hannah paints and produces her work in a private art studio located at The Art Factory in Salt Lake City, Utah. Hannah produces her work in this creative industries incubator along side other creative professionals and artists.
Above all art is changing Hannah’s life. It is an avenue for her to learn, change and grow. Painting and art gives Hannah a universal voice to tell the world that she is a person full of opinions, emotions and great talent.
She can be found on social media and at local art markets.
https://www.facebook.com/share/1BMbqa9PwU/
https://www.instagram.com/hannah_nan_paints?igsh=MTNkM2NzcHp2YmVkaw==