Clare Hanna | August 2026, Member of the Month

An Interview with Clare Hanna: People’s Choice Award Winner – VAA Artist of the Year 2025 and August Member of the Month

Clare Hanna – Artist Feature – VAA Member of the Month August 2026

Clare Hanna, is a painter from the North of Ireland. Her creative journey began with a degree in Fashion Design from the Edinburgh College of Art, a foundation that immersed her into the world of textiles, colour, and form. Her path naturally evolved toward Art & Design Education, where to she returned home to the North of Ireland to become a teacher of Art – now having the privilege of teaching the subject for 22 years.

One of the greatest joys of Clare’s career in art, is the endless diversity – throughout her career she has explored a wide range of disciplines, always eager to learn new skills and techniques. Ironically, painting was the one area that didn’t particularly capture Clare’s interest over time, however it has become her greatest passion and the medium through which she feels most expressive and alive. Now that her children are older, Clare has found more space for her own creative practice.

“This return to painting has been both grounding and energising, opening up a whole new chapter in my work and allowing me to reconnect with my artistic voice in a deeply fulfilling way.”

Clare’s typical day begins in the classroom, spending her time teaching art – a role that continue to inspire her even after more than 2 decades. Working with young people, encouraging their creativity, and watching their confidence grow is incredibly rewarding and keeps her to connected to the joy and spontaneity that first drew her to the arts.

After school, she shifts into family mode, heading home to organise dinner, and do the household chores. Her favourite evenings are spent in her studio where she can fully immerse herself in painting, turning the music up loud and creating a space where everything else fades into the background. The studio evenings balance the structure of Clare’s day with the creative flow that she craves – in those late night hours, surrounded by paint, music and focus, her work truly comes to life.

Clare’s work is rooted in the deep connection to the landscapes of the North of Ireland – all of the places in which shaped, inspired and grounded her throughout life. The rugged coastlines and majestic Mourne Mountains are more than subjects to her, they are emotional touchstones that continually draw her back to the canvas. Using expressive brushwork, bold colour and a focus on texture and movement, she aims to capture not only the beauty of these places, but the energy and atmosphere that make them so compelling.

Painting is about translating feeling into form – rather than recreating the view exactly as it appears, she strives to communicate the emotional charge of the moment. Ultimately her work invites viewers to experience the wildness, vibrancy, and ever-changing moods of the Northern Irish Landscape. If someone feels a sense of connection, nostalgia, or even escapism while looking at one of my pieces, then I feel I’ve succeeded in sharing the essence of the places I love most.

For more about Clare’s work, head to her website: Clare Hanna Art

Or follow her Instagram: @clarehannaart

My creative process always begins outdoors. The landscapes that mean the most to me — especially around Carlingford Lough — are where my ideas first take shape. I’ve been connected to this place since childhood, spending long summers on the beach while my dad windsurfed on the Lough. Those memories, the light on the water, and the sense of belonging I feel there continue to fuel my imagination. It’s no coincidence that Carlingford inspired my prize‑winning painting, When the Sky Slips Into the Sea.

Sometimes I’ll sketch on location, responding quickly to the movement of the landscape, and other times I wait until I’m back in my studio where the ideas can develop more freely. Either way, everything begins with sketches — working out composition, scale, and the emotional direction of the piece before I ever touch the canvas.

When I begin painting, I like to break the fear of the blank white surface straight away. I do this by layering watered‑down acrylics, letting them drip, run, and overlap to create an energetic, unpredictable base. This stage is wonderfully messy and instinctive. It gives the canvas life before the real painting begins and reassures me that any “mistakes” can be painted over later. It frees me up to be bold.

I use acrylics because I work quickly and intuitively, and their fast‑drying nature suits the pace of my process. I sketch out my main forms using chalk, and from there I dive straight in with paint. I’m constantly moving around the canvas, looking from different angles, stepping back, stepping forward — always searching for balance, rhythm, and movement.

Music plays a huge role too. With my headphones on and the volume up, the outside world disappears. The energy of the music feeds into my brushstrokes, giving them the texture, dynamism, and sense of motion that have become central to my style.

From the first spark of inspiration on the shoreline to the final sweep of colour in my studio, my process is about capturing not just what I see, but what I feel — the atmosphere, the pulse, and the living energy of the landscape of the North of Ireland.

Absolutely — staying true to myself is at the heart of everything I create. My outlook is guided by intuition, honesty, and a deep trust in my own artistic voice. While I love visiting galleries and studying the work of other artists, I see this as a way to stay inspired rather than influenced. Experiencing other artists’ creativity energises me and reminds me of the endless possibilities within art, but I am always careful to remain rooted in my own style and approach.

Over the years, I’ve learned that the most meaningful work emerges when I follow my instincts — whether that’s choosing a bold colour palette, embracing expressive brushstrokes, or capturing the emotional essence of a landscape rather than a literal representation. For me, authenticity is everything. My aim is not to emulate trends or echo what others are doing, but to create pieces that feel honest, original, and deeply connected to my own experiences and memories of the places I paint.

This mindset keeps my work fresh, personal, and evolving. It reminds me that my individuality is the most valuable part of my practice, and that the strongest art comes from leaning into who I am, not who I could imitate. Staying true to my own artistic compass is what keeps my work distinct — and it’s what brings me the greatest fulfilment as an artist.

What is your creative process? What outlook guides you?

What is your definition of artistic success?

For me, artistic success is rooted in the ability to create work that truly resonates with people. When someone stops in their tracks because something in my painting speaks to them — the colour, the movement, the emotion — that moment feels like the truest measure of success. I’ve always believed that art should forge a connection, and when viewers or collectors respond to my energetic brushstrokes or bold use of colour, it means the world to me.

I feel incredibly grateful for every commission I receive. When someone trusts me to create a piece that will live in their home for years to come, it’s both an honour and a responsibility I never take lightly. Their faith in my vision is something that continually motivates and inspires me.

Of course, like many artists, I dream of being able to dedicate myself to my practice full‑time one day. Teaching Art has been a hugely meaningful part of my life — it has shaped me, taught me, and kept me connected to creativity in so many different forms. But the idea of being able to completely immerse myself in my painting, to make a living solely from the work that comes from my heart, is a hope I carry with me.

Ultimately, artistic success is a blend of personal fulfilment and shared experience: knowing that my work is original, distinctive, and authentically mine — and seeing it continue to reach a wider audience. As my collector base grows and interest in my work expands, my definition of success grows with it. But at its core, it remains simple: to create art that moves people, and to keep evolving as an artist whose work leaves a lasting impression.

One of the accomplishments I am most proud of is being shortlisted for the VAA Landscape Artist of the Year Award and ultimately winning the People’s Choice Award. Not only was it the first competition I had ever entered, but the whole experience felt like a turning point in believing more fully in myself and my work. To know that both the judges and the public connected with my paintings was incredibly affirming and gave me a renewed sense of confidence in my artistic direction.

I am also proud of showcasing my work at Art Source in the RDS. It takes a lot of courage to put yourself, and your creativity, on display in such a public way, especially at such a major art fair. Being able to participate, meet collectors, and see the positive response to my work has been a significant milestone. It reminded me that taking risks and stepping outside your comfort zone is often where the most rewarding growth happens.

More than anything, I’m proud that I’ve stopped holding back. Promoting my work, entering competitions, launching collections, and putting myself forward for opportunities have all required bravery. Seeing those choices pay off has been incredibly motivating, and they continue to inspire me to keep pushing forward in my career.

The past year has been one of the most exciting and transformative periods of my artistic career. I’ve had the opportunity to exhibit my work in a group show in Belfast, where I showcased pieces alongside an inspiring and diverse range of practitioners. Sharing a space with so many talented artists was both motivating and affirming, and it encouraged me to continue pushing my own creative boundaries.

I also launched a new collection of paintings and limited‑edition prints — a body of work that reflects my growing confidence in my style and my deepening connection to the landscapes that inspire me. It was incredibly rewarding to see how positively this new collection was received.

Overall, the past 12 months have strengthened my belief in my artistic voice, expanded my audience, and pushed me to pursue even bigger goals for the year ahead.

What are some of the accomplishments you are most proud of? What are some of the highlights from the past 12 months?

What’s the one piece of advice that has helped you the most?

The best piece of advice I’ve ever received was simply to stop holding back and put myself out there. For years, I hesitated to share my work publicly — especially on social media — because I was nervous about how it might be received. Looking back, I don’t know why I waited so long. Once I finally took that step, it opened up an entirely new world for me.

Sharing my work online has been nothing but positive. It has allowed me to reach people far beyond my local area, connect with collectors, and build a following even without gallery representation at this stage. It has also given me the confidence to enter opportunities I might never have considered before — like the VAA Landscape Artist of the Year competition, which has been such a milestone in my journey.

Creating my own website was another leap that felt daunting initially, but it has turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made. It allows me to present my work professionally, handle sales with confidence, and give people a central place to explore my collections.

So, the advice that helped me most was to be brave enough to share my art with the world. Once I did, everything began to grow. I’m incredibly grateful I finally took that chance — and I hope my reach will continue to expand as I keep saying “yes” to new opportunities.

One of the biggest challenges I face is balancing my artistic career with the demands of my day job. Teaching Art is something I genuinely value — it keeps me connected to creativity in a different way and allows me to share my passion with young people — but it does mean that time is often my biggest obstacle. There are only so many hours in the day and finding the space to fully immerse myself in my own practice can sometimes feel like a juggling act.

I’m incredibly grateful to have the support of my employers, who have enabled me to participate in important events such as Art Source. Opportunities like these are vital for pushing my career forward, meeting collectors, and showcasing my work to a wider audience. Their encouragement makes a huge difference, but like many artists working alongside another profession, I often wish there were just a few more hours available to devote purely to painting.

Despite these challenges, I try to see them as part of the journey. Perhaps the limited time is what makes those studio evenings feel even more precious — they become moments of pure focus, energy, and escape. As my career continues to grow, I hope to gradually create more space for my practice, but for now, I’m committed to making the most of every opportunity and continuing to develop my work at a pace that feels sustainable and authentic.

What do you find hardest about improving your arts profession? What are your current obstacles?

What career goal is your current priority? How has the VAA helped your journey so far?

My priority at this stage in my career is to secure gallery representation and continue building meaningful professional relationships within the art world. I feel ready for that next step — both in terms of the maturity of my work and the direction I want my practice to grow. Having the support of a gallery would allow me to reach a wider audience, participate in curated exhibitions, and share my paintings with collectors who might not otherwise encounter my work.

In the longer term, I would love to establish a permanent space to showcase my art — somewhere people can experience my work in person, connect with the atmosphere of each piece, and gain a sense of the creative journey behind it. The idea of having a dedicated environment where my landscapes can quite literally breathe and be encountered as a body of work is a dream I hold close.

I’m fortunate that interest in my paintings continues to grow, and I’m deeply grateful for every commission and every collector who places their trust in my vision. Their support has helped me realise that there is a genuine appetite for the energetic brushwork, bold colour, and emotional depth that define my style.

As my practice evolves, my focus is very much on expanding my reach, strengthening my professional presence, and positioning myself in a way that will allow this passion to become even more central in my life. Gallery representation is the next natural step — one that I’m excited and fully prepared to take.

The Visual Artists Association has played a genuinely meaningful role in my artistic journey so far. Their platform has helped introduce my work to a much wider audience, creating opportunities that I might not have reached on my own. Being shortlisted for the VAA Landscape Artist of the Year Award was a huge milestone for me — especially as it was the very first competition I had ever entered. The recognition from the judges gave me a tremendous boost of confidence and reassured me that my artistic voice resonates beyond my own studio walls.

Winning the People’s Choice Award has been equally transformative. Knowing that members of the public connected with my work strongly enough to vote for it was profoundly humbling. It has encouraged me to promote myself more boldly and to trust even more deeply in the direction of my practice. I am incredibly grateful to the VAA for shining a light on my work and supporting artists like me as we continue to grow. Their encouragement has made a real and lasting impression on my creative path.

If I could speak to the artist I was a year ago, I would tell her to trust her instincts and keep following what feels right. Every opportunity she was brave enough to take — every application, every exhibition, every moment of self‑promotion — has helped shape the momentum I’m experiencing now. I would reassure her that pushing forward, even when it feels uncomfortable, is always worth it.

But more than speaking to myself from a year ago, I often find myself thinking about the young, enthusiastic artist I was at school. She approached art with such joy, curiosity, and fearlessness, and I carry that spirit with me every day in my practice. When I look back at my old sketchbooks, I can still sense that raw excitement — and it makes me proud of how far I’ve come.

I think the younger version of me, the one who spent hours drawing and dreaming, would be incredibly proud of what I have achieved and the steps I’ve taken to build a life around my creativity. Remembering her helps me stay grounded, grateful, and motivated to keep evolving. She is a constant reminder that the passion I am pursuing today is the same one that has been with me all along.

Is there anything you would like to say to the artist you were a year ago?