Author: Alicia Muir

Q & A with Hannah Gilson

We are so excited to welcome artist and illustrator Hannah Gilson to Art Republic, and are sure that her fun and playful artworks will make her a firm favourite. We spoke with Hannah about what inspires her, her love for animals and colour, and her creative process.

AR: Where does your passion for art come from and when did you realise you wanted to be an artist?  

I’ve always loved drawing. When I was a teenager I would sit for hours painting and drawing with my headphones on, constantly trying to hone my skills by experimenting with paints and different materials. I think it was about that time that I realised that I wanted to be an artist. Took me another 20 years to action that though! 

Q & A with Hannah Gilson | Image

Banbury Cross by Hannah Gilson 

Q & A with Hannah Gilson | Image

AR: Your artworks feature many interesting characters and animals, where do you get your inspiration and ideas from?

I’m interested in the role of both women and animals in folklore, mythology and cautionary story telling. I enjoy the retelling of well known stories - playing on the imagery that people are familiar with and juxtaposing it with pop cultural references and messages of female empowerment. I’m in the process of developing a series of prints based on Hans Christian Andersen’s ‘The Wild Swans’ for my solo showcase at the Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair this year. 

AR: Can you tell us more about your creative process? You work with a range of mediums, do you have a favourite? 

I typically start with a very basic pencil sketch of ideas that I then develop into digital sketches on photoshop. I’m very time poor at the moment so working digitally gives me the freedom to work quickly. I will then artwork these into stencils I can screenprint. I’m really enjoying the screen-printing process at the moment. I like how punchy the colours can be and that you can combine the process with drawing. 

 Q & A with Hannah Gilson | Image
Fearfully by Hannah Gilson 
Q & A with Hannah Gilson | Image

 

AR: Your artworks are so vibrant, is colour important to you?

Colour is really important. I specialised in painting and I think I still think like a painter when I’m experimenting with colour. If the colours don’t ‘sing’ the work just looks jarring. Colour has the amazing power of connecting the viewer to the work- people often comment on how they are drawn to the colour in my work - it’s the first thing before they see anything else. 

AR: What artwork are you most proud of?

‘Wonder’ is my favourite - it was a beast to draw. It brings together so many different narratives around the female experience with a bit of humour and irony.

Q & A with Hannah Gilson | Image

Wonder by Hannah Gilson 

Q & A with Hannah Gilson | Image

AR: How has your artistic style or practice developed so far, and how do you see it developing in the future?

So far I’ve evolved from a painter to an illustrator and now I’m printmaking and starting to dabble with mixed media - who knows? I find things tend to go full circle - I would love to go back to painting big originals but I would need a bigger studio for that! 

To explore Hannah's collection of artworks, visit her collection here

AFFORDABLE ART

CJP £75

Rewilderness - A3

29.7 x 42cm

Limited Edition of 185

Hearts & Flowers - Clementine

45 x 45cm

Limited Edition of 20

Anthropomorphic Bowie

42 x 60 cm

Limited Edition of 100

You Are My Sunshine in Multicolour -...

45 x 64cm

Limited Edition of 20

Nothing Matters - Remix, 2020 Art Print by Dan Hillier
Exclusive

Cats Pyramids

24.7 x 39cm

Limited Edition of 42

Daffy (Red Stripe)

70 x 50cm

Limited Edition of 50

Reginald Botanical

29.7 x 42cm

Limited Edition of 99

Lazy Afternoon Cheetah

29.7 x 42cm

Limited Edition of 99

Lone Pine, California

33 X 48 cm

Limited Edition of 25

HOPE THAT KILLS YOU

21 x 29.7cm

Limited Edition of 100

Cherry Drop

35 x 35cm

Limited Edition of 32

Premium Sunflower Safety Matches

54 x 64cm

Limited Edition of 25

Acne Pink

30 x 42cm

Limited Edition of 100

Lemon Blossom 3

40 x 40cm

Limited Edition of 100

Adventure Awaits, 2020

50.7 x 45cm

Limited Edition of 25

Ellipsis - Remix, 2020 Art Print by Dan Hillier
Exclusive

Ellipsis - Remix, 2020

42 x 42 cm

Limited Edition of 100

Paralluxe Primary Edition

50 x 50cm

Limited Edition of 25

Charlotte Farmer £115 £97.75

Anyone for Tennis?

29.7 x 42 cm

Limited Edition of 50

BOUNCE! 2020

42 x 42cm

Limited Artist Proof

The Sun Rises in the East Art Print by Hooksmith Press
Exclusive

The Sun Rises in the East

32 x 45cm

Limited Edition of 40

Bananas

29.7 x 42cm

Limited Edition of 20

Patrick Art Print by Lee Ellis
Exclusive

Patrick

40 x 40cm

Limited Edition of 25

Vintage Girl

70 x 100cm

Limited Edition of 50

MK-Ultra II

19 x 19cm

Limited Edition of 177

Lisa Lloyd £100 £85

Hummingbird with Blue Background - Medium

29.7 x 42cm

Limited Edition of 50

Gorilla - Neon Pink

42 x 59.4cm

Limited Edition of 20

Right Hand Red, 2020 Art Print by Static
Exclusive
Static £35

Right Hand Red, 2020

20 x 20cm

Limited Edition of 500