Our first-ever graphic design intern (lucky us), Hannah now works for creative partner Primer Grey using her design chops to wow their clients. When she’s not drawing or clickty clicking her way to the perfect design or creating postcards from the Emerald Isle (wow!), you can find her creating one-of-a-kind pieces like the one you see here.

Blank Slate: Featuring Hannah McClure

Find out where she finds inspiration, what makes her weird and why sketches always come first.

Describe your style as an artist.
A lot of my favorite pieces are hand drawn. I think you can see a lot of passion in any artist's natural brushstrokes; anger, sadness, contentment—whatever they felt at the time. I like to think it makes pieces approachable, relatable.
I like to exaggerate my favorite parts of what I see in real life. Exaggerate colors, shapes and highlights.

Can you tell us a little bit about the work you created for The Black Sheep Agency office? Where did you get the idea, and what do you want viewers to learn from it?
Dude—people today need a reminder that it’s CHRISTMAS SEASON! We are all so busy. I know it. We get caught up in life and making ends meet that we could work right through it if I didn’t stop for a minute.

I hope they take a small break from their lives and get a warm holiday feeling—whichever one they celebrate. Maybe they take 5 minutes to admire their neighbor’s decorations with a cup of coffee.

What inspires you?
People I meet and read about. I’m spending more time on YouTube lately, watching interviews of people I look up to: artists, authors, actors or business owners. It’s reassuring to hear the everyday struggles of people you look up to.

If you could be any artistic tool—pencil, crayons, oil pastels, computer, etc.—which one would you be?
Wait, what? I’d be some medium that can be used in a variety of ways, just because my style is always changing.

What is the first thing you do when you get up in the morning?
Make myself drink a full glass of water.  A great artist once said, “Always assume you’re dehydrated.”

What is the first thing you do when you begin a new art project?
SKETCH! Nothing before sketches!

Artists are notoriously weird. Prove it. (Or argue it.)
I think everyone is weird in his or her own way. I’m probably more gross than weird, especially when it comes to my eating habits. (Sorry mom!)

Has anyone ever said to you, “I don’t get it?” If so, how do you respond to that?
Ew. Probably, “Give me something more constructive!”

Fill in the blank. “I would die without ________.” 
Music.

What advice do you have to other creatives?
Lose your ego, lose it FAST. You can always learn from someone else. Humility is hard, but you’ll be better for it.

Where can people see more of your work?
You can find me work at Hannahmcclure.com, behance.net/Hannah_Allyce and primergrey.com.

Regular

It’s done. What started with a blank wall is now a piece of original art made to inspire the community to give back.

 While you enjoy your holiday break and ponder all the things that you’ll do in 2015, take a moment to reflect on ways YOU can commit to making Houston a better place to live. 

In early 2015, more walls will be coming up throughout the Houston area and we’d love your help finding even more. 

(The GIVE Wall is on the future home of Heights Mercantile; Mural Artist: Wiley Robertson; Project launched in conjunction with UP Art Studio; Video by Shoot. Edit. Sleep.)

GIVE Mural: What Will You #GIVEHOU