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

Hannah is the founder of Art Hugs, Healing through Art, and the head workshop instructor and illustrator. 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.

We are all perfectly imperfect. Celebrate it!

Meet the Team

Hannah cannot do it all alone!
She has an amazing support system that makes Art Hugs what it is!

Ella (She/Her)

Ella is Hannah’s daughter; this is a family hands-on business, and Ella shines in her role assisting classes with the children's needs. Ella has won numerous awards in the arts industry for character development in drama, writing, and leadership through her schooling and has just completed a Certificate III in Screen and Media while completing year 11. 2024 is her last year of schooling, grade 12. While she is currently completing her senior year as college captain at Claivaux Mackillop College, she does hold qualifications in the creative arts area. 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.

Emily (Any)

Emily is new to the Art Hugs team and joins 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 works with Art Hugs in our workshops and paint functions while she pursues higher education in the field of counselling. Coming from a family of teachers, she assists, like Ella, with studio workshops, functions, and art materials. She was awarded the Art Excellence Award for her final year at school and brings extensive knowledge of anime and manga skills to the classes, a creative mind, and a kind and approachable personality. She holds a current Blue card, and holds classes in Hannah's absence.

Noah (Him/He)

Noah is Hannahs son, he is a talented creative souls that joins Art Hugs sporadically to assist with holiday workshops and joins the teen class as a teacher's assistant. Noah is a talented artist and musician, often found taking drawing requests for the younger children. His skills are greatly valued in behind the scenes creative process for lesson content and often can be seen preparing the additional supplies list required for lessons. He currently is completing year 10.

Rob

Rob is Hannah's Husband, he is an excellent all rounder that provides assistance where needed for emergency builds and assembles, feedback and creative insight. He is an experienced and qualified graphic design and print production specialist his skills and expertise are invaluable. 

(Rob left, Jaffle on the right, one of our beloved pugs by our class participants)

Together we are Art Hugs!