Women Making History: Hannah Stouffer

Posted on 19 August 2009 | No Comment

When visiting the website of Los Angeles based illustrator and designer, Hannah Stouffer, these are the words that greet us:

The heart of darkness exists within the light. Black Dawn, Dawn After Dawn Tepid Neon, Frozen Clarity. This contrast, and the ever present existence of the two is constant. Macabre Elegance. Darkness Falls Forever…Since The Beginning.

To look into one of Hannah’s art pieces is to free fall into another world. It’s a dark, mystical realm that somehow gives off a radiant light that pulls us in.

Too deep? Well to put it in simpler words—Hannah’s art does things to you (yea, it’s that awesome!).

Today, we introduce many of you to the women behind the magical art and for those of you who are already a little familiar with the artist, be prepared to get a little personal with her as she reveals her ‘turn ons’, ‘turn offs’ and more!

First, we get a fun look at Hannah via her artist profile video for IdN Magazine:

Hannah's favorite toy now? A Black & Gold Caddy! (Big fan of Vincent Gallo's album When, myself!)

A look at Hannah's work space...

...at a different angle...

Let’s get into some Q&A with Hannah:

M.I.S.S.: What woman, besides your mom or grandmother, do you find inspirational?

Marchesa Luisa Casati.

M.I.S.S.: How did you get your start?

I’ve been involved in art my whole life. I think I drew in school more than I paid attention… I’ve kind of been through the gamut of mediums, photography, design, conceptual art, painting… its really important to discover what comes most naturally, what feels most comfortable. When I discovered how comfortable illustration felt, and I told myself I was going to be an illustrator- its so crazy- you can do anything you want to.

M.I.S.S.: What’s your favorite illustration that you’ve created?

My favorite one ever?? I really like ‘Black Roses Tell a Story’, ‘Suffer My Desire’ and ‘More Despair’… my brother and I colloborated on an Eyeballs Are Forever zine at the end of last year- and actually some of the weird little black ink drawings that we did for that rank pretty highly- they are a lot different from my usual work- very subconscious and a lot less concentrated.

Black Roses Tell a Story by Hannah Stouffer

Hannah & friends creating 'Excessive Combustion'

M.I.S.S.: Who do you want to work with?

I don’t really have anyone in mind- though it always is amazing to be engaged with a company or an indivudual that I respect and follow a lot. Vault 49, Deanne Cheuk, um…. Andy Warhol? Though, I’ve been having an overwhelming urge to just to go to the middle of nowhere and spend an extended period of time by myself, and just draw…

M.I.S.S.: What part of illustrating is the most challenging and do you dislike the most?

I wish I didn’t have to spend so much time on the computer, but so much of what I do involves archiving and contacting clients and galleries, sending files ect. that has to be done this way… its really unsatisfying. Sometimes it is a challenge to sit down and draw, but I’ve found that by taking time off every now and then I can buildup a huge amount of drive and desire to go really strong for a few months, then break, and do it all again. It all kind of coordinates with my gallery and commercial schedules and deadlines as well… there is always up time and down time.