JOURNAL

JOURNAL

JOURNAL: A show that asks "How do you feel today?"

From Berlin Sketches (2023) to the Art of Feeling (2024) my artwork in 2024 has all been about emotions and how we feel. Based off my personal daily sketching practice, I bring you JOURNAL. Enjoy! -Hannah

 

JOURNAL

Hannah Stelter's collection of works chronicles a

journey of self-discovery through visual expression.

A lifelong advocate for journaling, Stelter struggled

to articulate her emotions in words. Frustrated by

her inability to connect with her feelings, she turned

to art as a therapeutic outlet. Her exploration of

visual journaling revealed a deeper understanding

of her mental health and inspired her to redefine

the traditional approach. Through body scans and

expressive lines, Stelter transformed her personal

reflections into a series of evocative artworks.

These pieces invite viewers to reconsider the power

of journaling, demonstrating the potential for visual

storytelling to capture emotions and experiences in

a unique and impactful way.

THE BEGINNING

The following works were first

exhibited in her 2023 solo show,

'The Berlin Sketches,' marking the

inaugural exploration of emotions

in Stelter's art. These eight

sketches serve as the foundation

for the JOURNAL series, ushering

in a new era of creative

expression for the artist.

Read More about The Berlin Sketches Here

 

A PERSONAL PRACTICE

For several months, Stelter nurtured her

journaling practice in private, delving into her

own emotions through the power of art.

Understanding the importance of personal

growth, she prioritized honing her skills before

sharing her work with the world. While this

exhibition offers a glimpse into her journey

with a few select portraits, the full extent of

her vulnerable and intimate practice remains

private out of respect for its personal nature.

 

 

THE ART OF FEELING

After several months of personal

exploration, Stelter curated a show titled

'The Art of Feeling,' focusing on the

recurring emotions she had observed in

her journals. Beginning with a series of

smaller studies, she eventually settled on

a core group of eight self-portraits:

Anger, Fear, Love, Happiness, Sadness,

Growth, Calm and Anxiety. This collection

was unveiled at her annual event, 'I

F*@%ING LOVE MYSELF,' a themed

celebration of mental health that

emphasized the importance of embracing

emotions as a fundamental step toward

self-love, an often overlooked aspect of

personal well-being.

Read More about the Art of Feeling Here

 

WEARABLE ART

The Art of Feeling is so visceral

and evocative that it seemed

almost instinctive to translate its

visual elements into a wearable

medium. This collection of

sculptures poses the intriguing

question: 'If we could wear our

emotions like clothing, what

would they look like?

 

(Pictured: Anger)

 

INTERACTIVE ART

Viewers of this show are

encouraged to write a word on

the wall that describes how they

feel about sadness.

Some examples: heartbroken,

crestfallen, somber, healing,

comforting, consoling

Viewers are also encouraged to take

a photo under the sculpture. Please

be gentle.

 

JOURNAL COLLECTION

After six months of personal exploration,

Stelter felt ready to share her practice with

others. She began by posting select personal

portraits on social media and offering to

journal for other people as custom pieces.

The resulting collection, JOURNAL, has

provided healing for many and may offer

solace to viewers as well. Each piece starts

with a personal interview, exploring the

sitter's emotions through a body scan. From

these initial sketches, Stelter creates larger

paintings that vividly depict the diverse

range of emotions we experience as

individuals. This collection serves as a

reminder to check in with ourselves,

acknowledge and understand our feelings,

and ask, 'Why am I feeling this way? Is my

body telling me something?

 

Interested in collecting any of these pieces? View the full collection on hannahstelter.com
Back to blog

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.