True drawing is an act of rigorous skepticism. To see clearly, an artist must use intellectual humility to systematically question their own brain’s built-in shortcuts and visual confirmation biases. We often think of the skeptic’s worldview—defined by empirical evidence, critical thinking, and a systematic questioning of assumptions—as something belonging strictly to science labs. Yet, the …
In my figure drawing series at the MacLaren Art Centre, we’ve been exploring the idea that art is less about “drawing a person” and more about capturing the philosophical tension between opposites. We often discuss how a sad song can feel easier to write because its emotional depth is so palpable; similarly, in visual art, …
I walked the show slowly. Not with urgency, not with the need to see everything—but with attention. I stopped only where something pulled me in. Where the work felt alive, or honest, or unresolved in a way that mattered. Those were the artists I spoke to. I introduced myself simply—as a travelling gallery, as someone …
Building an Art Troupe: A Vision Across Cities HannaTess ArtHaus is entering a new phase—one that moves beyond a static gallery into a living, traveling platform. I am currently building an art troupe: a network of artists who will create, exhibit, and collaborate across cities. The vision includes:ViennaParisNew YorkVenice (again, in a new way) Each …
On Representation: What I’m Drawn to Curate As HannaTess ArtHaus grows, my role as a curator becomes increasingly intentional. I am drawn to work that carries presence—art that is not only seen, but felt. I am interested in artists who: I believe in art that slows us down. That asks something of us. As a …
The body speaks before language. “Body Work” is an ongoing series that explores how emotions live within the physical form. Each piece is not an illustration, but a translation—of tension, release, contraction, expansion. Sadness curves inward.Anger sharpens and pushes outward.Joy opens, lifts, expands beyond the edges. This work is deeply connected to my larger project, …
There are cities we visit—and cities that stay with us. “Cities I Remember” is a collection shaped not by geography, but by emotional imprint. These works are not literal depictions. They are fragments—of light, of architecture, of feeling. Vienna lives in structure and silence.Paris dissolves into movement and intimacy.New York pulses in rhythm and urgency. …
For a long time, this digital space functioned like a traditional gallery storefront—a place to show finished collections and post occasional updates about exhibitions. But over the last few years, as my life and practice have moved across borders, my relationship with creative spaces has completely evolved. I have always felt deeply at home in …
After my move back to Toronto, I’ve felt something shift — a quiet yet insistent pull to step back, breathe, and re-evaluate everything I thought I knew about my art practice.Before I rush into studios, galleries, or the next big project, I need to understand what I’m truly honouring when I create — what part …
This Oracle Deck began quietly, almost like a whisper. In moments when I needed guidance, reflection, or simply a place to rest my thoughts, I would create a single image—a symbol that felt like a cradle for whatever I needed at that time. Each one held a meaning, a reminder, or a truth that helped …
