My name is Hannah Neville and I am the artist behind Hanla Art. I’m a part time urban planner and an every-spare-moment creative living in Canberra. Together with my husband, Cadeyrn, I’ve lived in several Australian cities as well as overseas, but my roots are decidedly rural, having grown up in Condobolin in central west NSW.
My immersion in painting came about during a career hiatus whilst having two children. What started as some much needed 'me-time' quickly became a hobby to consume all of my spare time and has grown from there. I find painting to be about the most effective way to wind back the cortisol levels of motherhood and when I am not painting, I'm soaking upinspiration just about everywhere. Canberra sure does deliver on that front!
Since picking up a paintbrush for the very first time, I've been drawn to a great many subjects and styles, however, I have a strong affinity for creating large pieces which typically feature some combination of semi-abstract florals, landscapes and/or birds. These larger pieces appeal to me because of the scale of impact they can have in a room - I am a lover of all things design and an interior that flows from a piece of original art is music to my soul. That being said, I can't resist a nursery mini or five every once in a while, and often wonder whether I will ever be the sort of artist that finds a lane and sticks to it!
Not only is each piece in this collection nestled playfully in a table setting, this exhibition has been curated with a looming sense of nervous excitement, a chance to bare and share the inner workings of my latest personal flavour of creativity. With bold colours and striking stripes, it represents the courage of creatives (even those of us with raging imposter syndrome and a 'day job') when putting our work out into the world for all to see.
Sticking to my signature love of colour and fun, this collection celebrates some of my usual subjects; florals, foliage and birds but in a lesser explored setting throughout my practice; tablescapes and still life settings. Some pieces were inspired simply by my local surroundings here in Canberra; a drive home from work observing stark white gums against lively green canopies and a stormy summer sky or a happy encounter with a Crimson Rosella in my front yard, while others came about as a product of my love of a good pun. Lemon zest and sulfur crest must surely take the cake!