Hannah wears: Her own vintage jeans and the Cooper Rib Tee

How did your love for painting begin?

My love for creating and making definitely started at a very young age. I was brought up in a very creative and artistic household. The environment of my childhood was always making something new or crafting a new project.

My love for painting on the other hand only really began towards the end of my Fine Art degree when I realised I wouldn’t be able to continue my printmaking practice from home, like I could a painting practice.

You grew up in a pretry large family, did that shape what you do today?

Growing up in a house full of family has been really grounding for me. I’ve always been very family orientated and I love travelling around Australia to visit my siblings who are now dispersed across states.

I’ve always been inspired by my siblings and because they were all older than me, I looked up to them and everything they were achieving. I think this built a somewhat competitive nature in me to strive for more and reach goals from a young age.

Where do you draw your inspirations from?

I draw inspiration from a myriad of sources such as landscape, travel, architecture, craft and even music. However, the ocean, coastline and seascapes that surround me wherever I am, often have the most overriding influence on my work. Because of this, I find travel and experiences in different environments and landscapes are quite fundamental for my work.

The Saltie Slides

What are you currently working on?

I’m incredibly busy at the moment planning and crafting projects for the coming months and the exciting year to come of 2018.

In November I will be apart of The Design Files 2017 Open House event in Melbourne which is so exciting to be amongst such a vibrant group of Australian creatives.

Then in December I will also be apart of my first interstate group show at Saint Cloche in Sydney. I can’t wait to share what I’ve been working on for this!

What do you do to relax?

To relax for me, often means to reset. I practice yoga to restart my mind. I have long showers cleansing my skin from head to toe to restore my body. In summer I swim, SUP or lie on the beach for hours on end to refresh my wellbeing.

What's your favourite thing about living in Melbourne?

My favourite part of living in Melbourne is that I live in bayside, far enough away from the city to feel secluded near the beach but not too far. I’ve always lived close to the beach and I can’t imagine it any other way. The other really nice thing about living in Melbourne is that my parents are here, we are very close so I love that I can stay connected to them.

What's the best advice you've ever been given?

“You can only do one thing at a time.”

This is something my dad said to me recently, it kinda sounds negative but it was said to me at just the right time. I'm not sure if its the best advice I've ever been given but it has definitely gave me a lot of clarity lately.

My personality is to go go go, always saying yes to opportunities and pushing myself to always do more. But sometimes if something is worth doing, its worth doing properly and most of the time, that means slowly. Slow down and take each day, one step at a time.

It gave me a lot of freedom knowing I didn’t have to do everything. Just one thing at a time is enough.

Hannah wears: The Jet Rib Tee

Follow Hannah's journey: @hannahnowlan