The natural world is an incredible place. Sitting quietly and immersing ourselves in nature connects us to our core, as it is our deepest and oldest human connection. Peace seeps into the soul. The ecosystem forms an all-encompassing circle to which we belong, a belonging we can feel while watching birds fly, harvesting food, sitting among grass and flowers, or hearing the river roll by. Once this sense of belonging is deeply felt, a love for nature takes hold. We all come from nature and will all return to it one day. Protecting our precious environment is truly protecting what makes us human.
Hannah Grace, an artist inspired by the natural world, seeks to spark dialogue about the delicate balance between humans and the environment. She fondly remembers her father, Kirk Grace, teaching her about sustainable agriculture and environmental restoration, while her mother, Lynn Grace, imparted lessons in compassionate animal husbandry, from rabbits to horses. Hannah left the public school system in her junior year to attend her first formal art classes at Oxbow Art School. In college, Hannah aims to graduate with a major in studio art and a minor in environmental science. Beyond the natural world, Hannah has been deeply inspired by her grandfather’s legacy. Dick Grace, the founder of the Grace Family Vineyard in Napa Valley, is known for his philanthropy. Dick dedicated much of the winery’s profits to charities supporting children with cancer, pediatric AIDS, abuse survivors, and those in China, Tibet, India, Mexico, America, and Nepal. He instilled in her the values of hard work, gratitude, compassion, and continuous learning. As a Marine, Dick embodies both strength and gentleness, finding peace in his garden with hummingbirds. Her admiration for her family, coupled with her love of the environment, has profoundly shaped her art.
In one of her paintings displayed at the TAKPA, Hannah uses a black background to highlight the shining green leaves and vibrant rose petals. She believes that the life cycle of a flower mirrors life itself: it begins with buds, grows, withers over time, and eventually falls. The fallen flower then becomes manure, nurturing new plants.
In another painting, a hummingbird is depicted against a black background. The artist believes that hummingbirds play a vital role in the ecosystem. The color palette she used brings the bird to life, giving the painting a lifelike quality.
In another painting titled “Memories,” she uses a blend of colors to create a map-like appearance. She believes that memories can be felt but cannot be touched or relived.
In one of her paintings, she created a mandala using natural imagery. This piece might have been inspired by the Nepali mandala style, as the animals depicted in the painting illustrate the balance and importance of the ecosystem.
In another painting titled “Good Luck Rainbow Trout,” she depicts a trout fish surrounded by a rainbow. She explains that the rivers and streams in California are no longer connected, and the water no longer flows as it once did. As a result, native species like salmon and trout have been deeply impacted. She hopes that one day the dams will come down and the fish will swim freely once again.
Hannah Grace is a mixed media artist from Northern California, educated at the Oxbow Art School, Cal Poly Humboldt, and under Thangka masters in Kathmandu. Her work explores the profound, often indescribable emotions of happiness, peace, and belonging inspired by nature. Her debut solo exhibition, ‘Where My Home and Allegiance Lies,’ showcases her fascination with the intricate biology and vibrant forms of Earth’s organisms. Through her art, Hannah strives to understand and convey the scientific, spiritual, and emotional connections she discovers in the natural world.
The show runs until August 25th, and if you want to see the artwork yourself and interact with the artist, TAKPA Gallery is the place to visit from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The gallery is closed on Mondays.
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