Artist in conversation: Hanna Bode
Just like Alice Neel I feel like „people come first“ and mainly paint family members and friends. I am an autodidact and painting is my daily escape from the world, I need it like breathing. I also work as a medical doctor in a hospital but art is my real love. Both my parents studied art and took me to all the beautiful museums when I was a child!
What initially inspired you to become an artist, and how did you develop your unique style?
Art has always been a big part of my life since my parents both studied arts and graphic design. From early childhood on they took me to museums and we had many artbooks at home. I always liked to draw but never actually thought that I could paint. It took me 29 years to realize that my talent might be something I have never really tried. My style is probably a mixture of the work of my favourite painters I look at frequently. I like to paint realistic portraits but I always try to stay far away from photorealism.
In terms of subject matter, what themes or motifs do you frequently explore in your work, and what draws you to these topics?
I am mainly interested in faces and hands. Somehow I feel like the impression of a face or a gesture are the most difficult and catching things to paint. I don’t really care about the backgrounds in my paintings.
Could you share more about what draws you to portray the people closest to you in your artwork, and how it influences your artistic process?
I can put the most emotions into a painting when the person of the portrait is really close to me. I need to know their faces and need to look at them often. I love to paint people in their everyday life. So I just take photos of them when we have dinner or when they are sleeping and then start to paint based on the photos and my memory.
How do you find a balance between your profession as a medical doctor and your love for painting? How does being immersed in the medical field impact your artistic perspective and vice versa?
Sometimes it is difficult to find enough time to paint due to my high workload. But it is just an essential part of my life so I will always find a way. I think working as a doctor gives me a lot of freedom to paint just exactly what I want because I don’t need to sell my paintings to pay rent. I don’t need to follow any trends or accept commissions I don’t really like.
Can you discuss a specific piece or project that challenged you as an artist, and how you overcome those challenges?
I tried a self-portrait once and failed so bad. It is probably because I never see myself, my gestures and facial expression in my daily life. I haven’t overcome this challenge yet but I will definitely try to fail better soon.
How do you stay connected with other artists and keep up with new developments and trends in the art world?
Unfortunately I am not really connected with other artists yet because I studied something completely different and most of my friends are in the medical field. But I love Instagram to get inspired by new artists, I go to museums often and I also love to listen to “The Great Women Artists” podcast by Katy Hessel to hear about new female artists.
How do you incorporate feedback from critics and audiences into your artistic practice, and how do you balance this feedback with your own artistic intuition?
I always try to follow my intuition. I don’t care too much about people liking the way I paint or not.
How do you stay motivated and inspired despite any setbacks or creative blocks you may encounter?
Fortunately I never really had any creative blocks yet because as a figurative painter there are just so many unique people to paint and I can find inspiration in every new face I meet. But every setback is an opportunity to think about my way of painting and I constantly develop my skills during these times.
How do you feel about exhibiting your artworks with The Holy Art Gallery?
It is very special for me because it is the first time that my paintings will be shown ever. I feel really honoured to be part of an exhibition of The Holy Art Gallery. I love London for all its art and I am so excited to see my work on the walls.
Looking ahead, what are your long-term goals and aspirations as an artist, and how do you plan to achieve them?
My long-term goal is to have enough time apart from work to paint everyday because it just makes me happy. Of course I would love to take part in future exhibitions.