Meet Hannah Grable

Today we’d like to introduce you to Hannah Grable.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Well, I was born in St. Joesph, MO and at a young age, I was always a bit creative. A core memory that stands out that really got me into art was when I was drawing with my mom.

I remember her drawing this yellow house with a red door and it was drawn really nice (at least in my 1st-grade mind) and thought to myself, “I want to be better than my mom at drawing” I was always a bit competitive but it quickly turned into a passion.

I eventually had to move to Iowa away from home and was very shy. I kept to myself and I lost my love for drawing for a bit because of this big adjustment. But around 6th grade, it came back and just kept going all the way to high school and now college at KCAI. I’ve always had supportive teachers, friends, and family that didn’t hold me back from what I love, which is creating.

When it came to choosing a college, I always had a feeling I would go back to my roots and come back to Missouri. So, the Kansas City Art Institute just felt right. I mean I wasn’t really good at math or science so art seemed like the best route to go in for a career. So far, I think it has paid off as I have grown in confidence with my art and overall talking about my art.

For the future, I’m not 100% sure what will happen. But, I do know I want to create. I’ve thought a lot about doing children’s books or editorial illustrations. Thought a passion of mine is creating fashion, especially wearable illustrations and how a person can be a walking piece of art.

I don’t think illustration can be confined to a piece of paper but to just about anything and that is what I think KCAI and illustration excel at. There is no limit or confinement on what is considered an illustration.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I think some struggles have been confident in my art and getting my name out into the world. I mean it can be difficult to get a shy kid out of their shell.

But, another thing I think any artist can worry about is money. I mean going to art school can be expensive and then going out into a very competitive field is a big risk.

So while I may be limited in challenges, I know in the future I will have some challenges in securing a job or project with other amazing and talented artists.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
So I am an illustration student at KCAI currently. I don’t really have a specialty, yet. But I am not afraid to be a bit silly with my art and get a little weird.

I mean a recent piece I did had to do with euphemisms about breasts. It’s really shocking to know there are over 300 but I narrowed it down to three. It was silly and in your face, definitely gave people a laugh and I always find that successful. My personality can be silly especially when talking about my art.

I also think what really encompasses me is making pretty things. I am pretty girly at heart and you really can’t go wrong with making art with a girl in a pretty dress. I think sometimes people will see it as childish with no depth but sometimes it is fun to embrace the girly girl in you.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I think it’s best to always prepare for rejection and to grow from it. I try to not let it deter me from continuing to create, it just pushes me to be better.

I also think it’s best to go to people rather than wait for people to come to you. But yourself out there and you will find people that take interest in your art. I mean one of my first big commissions was for Selfie WRLD and I took a risk by going to them to create murals for them rather than having them come to me.

I was small and not recognizable. So, it definitely paid off to go towards the opportunity rather than sitting and waiting.

Contact Info:

• Email: hannah.grble@gmail.com
• Website: https://hgrable.myportfolio.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/hanbananaart