Hannah Stouffer – Microcosmos

Hannah Stouffer endeavors to understand the greatest human conflict and the constant contentions that we all endure.  In her work, feminine decorative embellishments are counterbalanced by macabre motifs, the animal kingdom, and the never-ending pursuit of illustrating explosive emotional transcendence.  Stouffer is best known for the incongruity of intricately executed imagery and shadowy and ethereal themes.  For her first piece here with 1xRun.com, Hannah has given us a  Giclée print pulled from her December exhibition, entitled Microcosmos. Read on for videos of Hannah along with our 1xRun Thru Interview where Hannah talks about past and present influences, the first piece of art she purchased and more!

1xRun Thru Interview

Hannah Stouffer – Microcosmos

1xRun: What was the original piece created with? Also is it still for sale?

Hannah Stouffer:  The original is a 22 x 28″ 300lb cold pressed watercolor illustration created using acrylic ink, airbrush mediums, watercolor and ink pen. Sadly no, it is not still for sale.

1xRun: When was Microcosmos drawn/created?   

Hannah Stouffer:  December 2011 for Michael Rosenthal Gallery.

1xRun: Talking specifically about Microcosmos is there anything immediate you would like us to highlight?      

Hannah Stouffer:  It’s a step into a new direction and series of landscapes that I’m going to explore, focusing on creating on solitude, loneliness and the barren landscape- as a metaphor.

1xRun: Tell us how the idea and execution of this piece came about?   

Hannah Stouffer:  Quite naturally.

1xRun: How long did the piece take?  

Hannah Stouffer:  A solid couple of weeks.

1xRun: What is unique about this piece?         

Hannah Stouffer:  It’s the first piece in a new series exploring a very specific escapism, sought to represent an ideal.

1xRun: Why should people buy this ?          

Hannah Stouffer:  Art has a very subjective existence. There should be some sort of visual or emotional attraction to what one finds appealing.

1xRun: Describe this Run in one gut reaction word.        

Hannah Stouffer:  ethereal.

1xRun: When did you first start making art?    

Hannah Stouffer:  At the beginning…  

1xRun: What was your first piece?      

Hannah Stouffer:  There have been too many to remember.

1xRun: What artists inspired you early on?      

Hannah Stouffer:  Is Animal from The Muppets considered an artist?? I’ll go with Animal.

 1xRun: What artists inspire you now?

Hannah Stouffer:  Killian Eng, Maxfield Parrish, Roger Dean, Julie Bell and Boris Vallejo, Caitlin Hackett, Skinner– really too many to name…

1xRun: Do you listen to music while you work? If so what? If not then what is your environment like when you work?

Hannah Stouffer:  I have to. The air feels dead without music, it helps me focus. It’s really all over the place, Sabbath, Gucci Mane, Die Antwoord, Lepplin. Space, light and breath-ability is also really important to me too, and organization- and water. The studio I’m working in has to be set up right.  I guess I’m kind of specific…

1xRun: If you could collaborate with any living artist who would it be and why?           

Hannah Stouffer:  I’m not big on collaborations, but the work that Joseph Lucero and I complete together and our aspirations in the future are always incredible.

1xRun: If you could collaborate with any deceased artists who would it be and why?   

Hannah Stouffer:  I just wanna sit and watch how Warhol goes about his daily business.

1xRun: What was the first piece of art that you bought? Do you still have it?    

Hannah Stouffer:  It might have been a gorgeous little lady on red plexy glass by Kelly Tunstall in San Francisco, and yes, I do still have it.

1xRun: What was the last piece of art that you bought?           

Hannah Stouffer:  I think it was a Hypnotize illustration from Los Angeles based DeamonBabies.

 1xRun: What else do you have currently in the works?

Hannah Stouffer:  I want to loose myself in the landscape, both physically and creatively.

1xRun: Anything else you would like to add? Anything you want to make sure we include or omit ?     

Hannah Stouffer:  I recently completed a large scale permanent installation in Christian Dior in San Francisco. Pictures and videos can be found on my blog.

1xRun:   Where can people find you across the internette? 

Hannah Stouffer:  Website – Facebook –  Tumblr – Etsy

– 1xRun.com