Hi! I'm a multidisciplinary artist specializing in landscapes, portraits, and abstract works, using acrylics, watercolor, charcoal, and pastels. I'm inspired by the subtle beauty of nature—rolling clouds, tobacco fields, and moss-covered branches—the play of sunlight and shadow on a loved one's face--the drama between colors and textures. I seek to capture moments that resonate beyond words. My work has earned several accolades, including Scholastic Gold and Silver Keys and the Congressional Art Award for North Carolina, as well as a solo exhibition in high school. I earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, but when I became a wife and mother I put art-making aside. I'd almost always made art for others - assignments, commissions, or attempts to start conversations and make friends (I've suffered lifelong social awkwardness). So with sleep and time elusive, I saw no point in carving out time for something that didn't bring me joy.

Then something amazing happened. We moved to a neighborhood, all my kids achieved a new level of independence, and in January of 2025 I felt I had enough time to start offering a kids' art class to the neighborhood. And here's the mystery: as I created projects for the kids, I fell in love with making art. Gone was the pressure; I was finally making what I wanted to make. We made watercolor abstracts, pet portraits, pop-up cards...and I kept making. I got out all my old art that had been in storage, and talked to a local shop in Wendell about putting some art in their store. Momentum grew: I started painting, drawing, and making things for me. Now art is my job, and I make everything from abstracts to commissions, and lots in between.

To me, art is like cinema—an immersive experience that speaks directly to the heart. If I can't find the right words to get a feeling or belief across, I remember that a picture is worth 1000 words. Each piece is a portal to the emotions and thoughts of its creation, and I hope you'll find your own journey within your favorite pieces too.

Contact:

Email: janddhanna@gmail.com

Website: www.daniellehannafineart.com