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?
