🎨 My Journey as an Artist — And Why I’m So Thankful You’re Here

Hello! I'm Hannah Renae — the artist behind the artwork!

I’ve always loved creating art, sharing it with others, and teaching people how to draw and paint. Art has been a big part of my life, and today, I wanted to share a bit of my journey with you.

How I Became an Artist

My art journey began way back in grade school. I wasn’t good at most things in school, but I discovered I had a talent for drawing. I would doodle all over the pages of my notes in class or carry around a little notebook to sketch in when I got bored.

It didn’t take long for me to realize that art was more than just a fun hobby — it was something that helped me through the hardest moments in my life. Art helped me express emotions I didn’t even know I was feeling. It gave me a way to speak when I didn’t have the words.

As someone with dyslexia, school was never easy for me. I often felt like a failure. But art gave me a way to feel special — and seen.

Growing Through Creativity

I’m so thankful for the teachers who encouraged my creativity through the years. Their support helped me grow not just as an artist, but as a person. I also discovered a passion for video and photography — other forms of self-expression that helped me capture moments, tell stories, and explore the beauty of light in different ways.

Becoming a Children’s Book Illustrator

Years after graduating, I found myself returning to art again — and that’s when something amazing happened. I met Lois, the author of Once Upon a Robin, and she invited me to collaborate on her children’s book. After a year of hard work, I officially became a published children’s book illustrator! That project was such a blessing, and it’s inspired me to want to publish more books in the future.

As a child with dyslexia, picture books meant everything to me. Even when I couldn’t read the words, I could immerse myself in the world through the illustrations. That’s the kind of magic I want to create for kids just like me — the ones who might be struggling but still deserve a story they can get lost in.

A Miracle in My Story

There’s another important part of my journey I want to share. When I was born prematurely, I had a lot of health issues — one of them being blindness. My parents were told by multiple doctors that I was blind.

But then, something incredible happened.

During an eye exam, a doctor flicked a rotating device in front of my eyes. I blinked, looked right at them, and smiled — for the very first time. That moment changed everything. I could see. It was a miracle.

Knowing how close I came to never experiencing sight makes me so incredibly grateful. I don’t take my eyesight for granted, because it's been such a big part of how I connect to the world — and to you — through my art.

💛 Thank You for Being Here

All that to say — I’m really thankful you’re here, reading this, and sharing in my story. Whether you're here for my artwork, my watercolor tutorials, or just looking for a bit of inspiration, I hope what I create is a blessing to you.

Thank you for being a part of my story — and letting me be a small part of yours.

With love,

Hannah Renae