Meet the Artist: Hannah March

In these articles I interview artists about their life and art practice, finding artists you may be unfamiliar with, and hoping to answer the question why does art matter?

Our artist today, Hannah March is a multidisciplinary artist and Art Therapist based in Naarm (Melbourne), Australia, she describes her practice...

"Emotional, explorative and intuitive. I find myself asking myself questions like, what do I need from my practice today? What do I need to survive? Whenever I am heading into the studio."

Hannah's beautiful studio materials. Photo by Samantha Sederof.

When did you first notice yourself being creative?

When I was a kid I remember watching a Playschool episode on TV where they were using scraps - cardboard - to make fun playful sculptures. I remember thinking wow, what could I do with the toilet rolls we had at home, and it was so exciting to think about the possibilities! I remember I ended up making a giraffe.

What materials are you drawn to?

Predominantly Oil paint and clay.

Hannah painting in her light-filled studio. Photo by Samantha Sederof.

What kinds of things/places/people inspire you to make an artwork?

I am definitely very inspired by memory and nostalgia which has led to the majority of my paintings being referenced from photos I have taken. Everyone in my images is someone in my life who is important to me. It feels like a kind of preservation of memory and the emotions and feelings associated with them.  

Are you inspired by the art making process or by using a conceptual framework?

I am definitely process driven. I get in my head if I start thinking about the concept too much at the beginning and often don't end up  producing the kind of work I like. I prefer to work more intuitively and then reflect on the common themes that arise across several paintings. 

Hannah works with ceramics and oil paint. Photo by Samantha Sederof.

Do you work alone or with others? And how do you find this experience?

On a typical studio day I am alone, although there are lots of people around in other spaces. I like it, I find I can just really focus, get into a rhythm with my artmaking. I have recently had friends in the studio, and have been supporting them to create things with clay, which has been so lovely! 

Where do you work?

In my private studio space.

What are you making at the moment?

I am currently working on building up a body of work consisting of paintings. I have also been making quite a few hand-built ceramics for a possible market opportunity. 

Paintings by Hannah March, Photo by Samantha Sederof.

Who are artists you admire?

This is tricky because I don't remember names very well. There is an artist, Gerhard Richter who deals with memory and I remember seeing him at GOMA in Brisbane. Jenny Savill, Julie Fregar 

How does your art practice relate to your art therapy practice?

That's a good one. I remember while studying my BA Fine art I was so consumed with trying to figure out what art other people might want me to make. Since studying MA Art Therapy and working as a practicing Art Therapist  I guess my approach to art making has become more centred around what I might be needing that day. I don't force myself to do one thing when I need something different. I am aiming to be in-tune with myself. I want my art practice to be nurturing and nourishing because it's something that brings me joy!

You can follow Hannah's art practice @_hannah_marchart

Key words:

art therapist near me

Artists in their studio

art materials

online art therapy sessions

art psychotherapy support

one-on-one art therapy

art therapy for stress relief

simple mindfulness art activity for anxiety

how to use art therapy for stress relief

step-by-step mindful drawing exercise

can art therapy help with anxiety

creative ways to become more mindful