Artist Profile: Genevieve Hanna

Biographical Info

My introduction to art started quite early on because 3 of my older siblings were very artistic along with 2 of my uncles. The uncles would take turns painting floor to ceiling landscape murals on our living room walls and they would change them out every couple of years. That’s probably why I like to paint big!

When I was 8 years old my family and I immigrated from Poland to the US (Cleveland).  There were 7 of us and we lived with my grandparents for a few months. 

My first encounter with my classmates in my new school was not an easy one. It’s hard to fit in when you don’t speak the language and are shy. The first time that I felt in my element and accepted was during art class. My classmates gave me lots of praise and encouragement which made me feel more comfortable and confident.

Art continued to be my love and refuge, on and off, over the years. I would paint and draw whenever something else wasn’t more important to tend to.

It was then that I was able to totally immerse myself in this most fulfilling and creative process. Because Covid emerged, I was able to spend hours each day painting, researching, watching tutorials and experimenting in every and any new medium that piqued my interest.

Presently, when I’m doing a large painting, usually a landscape, I use acrylic paints on a canvas. For smaller paintings I have segued into an intuitive approach using watercolor, pen and ink. The intuitive watercolor process was so intriguing to fellow artists, I’ve started teaching this technique in the Trilogy Artisans Art studio.  There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t go into my studio (den) and do what I love and get lost in it. I’m usually working on something for our bi-annual “Art Walk” that is in March and November, or a commission for someone looking for artwork that is very personal to them.

I have posted my work on Instagram primarily to connect with fellow artists here and around the world to get inspired by what they do. Pinterest is also a great source of information on any type of artwork you can dream up.