Learn a little about our team here at Art Hugs, where mindfulness and art are combined.

Hannah is the founder of Art Hugs, mindfulness through art, art therapy practitioner and illustrator/author. Her career spans over 25 years in the graphic art and children’s book illustration worlds. As a professional children book illustrator for the independent author world, she is able to offer her unique skills to her students. She has extensive knowledge in the watercolour medium (her first watercolour external class was at 14 years old), and she isn’t afraid to do things a little differently. In fact, she celebrates an out-of-the-box approach to most things! 

She has many industry-based art awards under her belt, commissions, gallery showcases and charity involvement. Supporting smiling minds, Walk for Kids mental health, the R U Ok Foundation, The Black Dog Institute, and various cancer foundations through donation and active participation in events. 

Based in Brisbane, Hannah is a Practitioner of Art therapy (HH Prac.(Art.Th) and Clinical Art therapy (Cl.Art.Th) through Health and Harmony Colleges and an member of Holistic Health Associates International, qualifications in digital and visual art and design, spanning a 25 year career.

Hannah inserts educated mindfulness practices into her art offerings and one-on-one sessions, to incorporate art as a way of easing anxieties and assisting in being mindful.

She holds a NDIS worker screening card, a Working with Children blue card and relevant insurances in the Art Mindfulness field. Unfortunately, we are not an NDIS provider

When not lesson planning or doing art therapy she teaches through the Art Hugs TV free on YouTube

We are all perfectly imperfect. Celebrate it!

Emily (She/Her)

Extra-curricular facilitator /Student Counsellor

Emily is one of the first Art Hugs employees, she joined us after Hannah taught at Carmel College as an extra-curricular art teacher in early 2023. Emily finished her year 12 studies in 2023, and currently is in her 3rd year of a Bachelor of Counselling. She works with Art Hugs in our classrooms, workshops and paint functions while she pursues higher education as a counsellor. Coming from a family of teachers, she has lived experience with teaching and is one of our head art teachers. In her final year of school she was awarded the Art Excellence Award. Emily brings extensive knowledge of anime and manga techniques to the classes, a creative mind, and a kind and approachable personality. Often engaging with students about their interests and creating additional content for lesson plans. We're excited to announce that Emily will be offering student counselling sessions for our Art Hugs community. If you are interested in this service please contact arthugsheal@gmail.com

Ella (She/Her)

Extra-Curricular School Facilitator

Ella is Hannah’s daughter; this is a family hands-on business, and Ella shines in her role assisting with our extra-curricular school programs. Ella has won numerous awards in the arts industry for character development in drama, writing, and leadership through her schooling and has completed a Certificate III in Screen and Media while completing year 11. She graduated high school in 2024 and has begun her 2nd year of a film and television production degree. She brings a lot of natural artistic skills to the workshops, is patient, and is fun for the children to be around. Her charisma is welcomed and loved by the participants.