Hannah Rae - A journey of multidimensional creativity
Photo: Hannah Rae
Embracing a World of Art
Meet Hannah Rae, a multifaceted artist who immerses herself in various creative endeavors, most notably photography. Her artistic journey began in high school, experimenting with film photography alongside her father, a film photography enthusiast. This shared passion created a deep bond between them, and the darkroom became a frequent haven during her youth. Growing up in Los Angeles further fueled her love for diverse art forms, as the city’s vibrant artistic scene provided endless inspiration.
After graduating high school at 16, Hannah explored a variety of art classes in college, initially pursuing a music composition degree. However, her curiosity led her to visual arts, jewelry design, and fashion. She expanded her artistic pursuits into special effects makeup, gaining valuable experience through internships in the LA Fashion District. Her work reflects her fascination with surrealist films, avant-garde fashion, and theatrical music artists.
At 19, Hannah embarked on a transformative journey to South America, where she began studying Ayahuasca traditions. This profound healing experience catalyzed deep self-reflection and inner exploration. She spent six years traveling to and from Brazil, studying with the indigenous people of the Amazon and fully committing to her spiritual path. During this intense period of working with plant medicines, she paused her art and photography. At 25, Hannah stepped back from her studies to integrate her experiences and redefine her creative direction and purpose. This period reignited her passion for photography, driving her to capture the ineffable: emotions, spiritual realms, and the depths of human imagination.
Photo: Hannah Rae
Influences and Inspirations
Hannah’s creative process is profoundly influenced by music, which she sees as creating an unseen visual landscape that she brings into reality through her photography. Artists like David Bowie, Marilyn Manson, Alice Cooper, Radiohead, Nine Inch Nails, Hans Zimmer, and Portishead have shaped her work, particularly in how they incorporate striking visuals into their aesthetics. Additionally, surrealist artists like Salvador Dalí and filmmaker David Lynch inspire her to merge multiple art forms, creating dreamlike and evocative imagery.
Photo: Hannah Rae
Advice for emerging Artists
Hannah advises emerging artists to "just go for it" and follow their passion. She emphasizes the importance of believing in oneself, sharing one’s work, and respecting the process of growth. "If you are truly an artist at heart, you cannot live a fulfilled life doing something else," she says. Hannah believes that artists are dreamers and risk-takers, and despite societal pressures, they must be fearless in letting their art be seen. She encourages artists to find their stream of creative consciousness, as the necessary resources and success will follow.
Photo: Hannah Rae
Navigating CHallenges
Perfectionism has been a challenge for Hannah, but she has learned to let it go and create for the sake of creating. She navigates creative blocks by pushing through and producing something, even if it isn’t perfect. By focusing on the process rather than the outcome, she eventually returns to the flow of inspiration.
Photo: Hannah Rae
Creative process and Deeper exploration
Hannah draws inspiration from her life experiences, dreams, and the inner workings of the mind and soul. She believes art allows her to honor the challenging aspects of human experience and liberate the darker parts of ourselves. Her photography often conveys themes of moodiness, mystery, and the exploration of the "shadow self." Hannah is particularly interested in what lies beneath the surface, aiming to bring forth the more taboo or socially rejected aspects of our psyche through her work. She believes that healing emerges through honoring the shadow within ourselves and transforming it into art.
Through her photography, Hannah invites viewers into a world of imagination and introspection, capturing emotions and spiritual realms in a tangible form.
