Interview with Artist Hannah Eddy
So, tell us a little about yourself and your creations:
My name is Hannah Eddy, I’m 32 years old currently living at the base of the Sierra Nevada mountains in Reno, NV with my husband Tim. I grew up in Maine and starting skateboarding and snowboarding at a super young age (surfing came later on). I was always drawing and became very inspired by skate art and graphics. I still base my whole life around riding boards and making art. I do mostly illustrative and colorful work that contains nature and often surfing, skating, or snowboarding. Keeping it lighthearted and fun is my main focus.
What inspires the art that you create?
Getting out and seeking the next adventure is truly what inspires me. Whether it's climbing mountains in search of powder, driving down endless dirt roads in search of waves or stopping at different skateparks along the way, I’m constantly on the move. This helps my creativity and doesn’t let me get stale. I’m inspired to help people connect with and appreciate the natural world.
What is your favorite part of the process when creating something?
My favorite part of the process is playing with color. It’s always so fun for me to have access to any color I can imagine, and I’m able to create a dreamy landscape using colors that aren’t normally found in nature.
What is the biggest challenge you face as an artist and entrepreneur?
Taking the time and effort to market myself isn’t easy. It’s also difficult for me to justify creating more “things” in this world that is already filled with so much stuff. Sometimes I find myself not wanting to paint or make prints because I try to be very conscious of what I use and consume, and it’s so hard to be environmentally friendly as an artist. I find ways to use as much recycled material or minimal chemicals as I can which makes me feel better, but at the end of the day, I find my art bringing joy to myself and others, so it keeps me going. I really like being able to put my art onto materials that are already being made anyway, and I feel so lucky that companies are starting to turn to me for graphics on things like snowboards and other gear.
What is your life ambition?
I just want to remain inspired and happy. Living sustainably and constantly learning and improving is another huge thing for me. I plan to keep making art and continue on this current path. My husband and I started a project called Do Radical and our goal is to help inspire people to get out of the box, live consciously and sustainably, and enjoy life. We are currently making a plant-based cookbook called Pow and Chow, which is a fundraiser for the nonprofit Protect Our Winters. We hope to continue with these types of projects in the future, and help be part of the change we feel is needed in this world. I am so grateful for all the things I’ve already gotten to do and be a part of, I’m excited to see what the future holds.
How long have you been snowboarding, skating & surfing?
I have been skating and snowboarding for about 25 years, and surfing off and on for about the last 10 years. I’m really getting into surfing a lot more as I get older though! I don’t have a clue what I’d be doing if it wasn’t for these silly pieces of wood we stand on. I’m so lucky to have grown up with parents who never made me feel it was weird to skate or snowboard because I was a girl. The friends I’ve made (including my husband), the places I’ve gone, and the experiences I’ve had skating, surfing, and snowboarding are more important than I could have ever imagined. I’m going to keep riding boards for as long as humanly possible.
What’s your favorite funny or inspirational quote?
How about one of each?
“Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit, and as vital to our lives as water and good bread.” -Edward Abbey
“Do I really want to go snowboarding? No, but I would like to if I wanted to.” -Michael Scott (The Office)
Website: heddyart.etsy.com
Instagram: @hannaheddyart @doradical
