Meet Hannah Caracalas | Sticker Designer & Daydreamer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Hannah Caracalas and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Hannah, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
Art and giving up have never really been associated in my brain, it has always just been a question of when I would return to it, not if. Giving myself grace and rest periods are extremely important to me as I can’t make art that has soul and that I’m proud of on demand. Inspiration and motivation have to both sweep me up simultaneously and spontaneously in order to create. With those kinds of prerequisites, I had to get really comfortable with going long periods of time between creating, and that means taking the idea of “giving up” out of my mental repertoire. We as humans are not meant to be constantly productive, constantly churning out work, and accepting that means letting go of the idea that I am failing as an artist when I am not creating. So to answer the question, I think letting go of the idea of “giving up” as an end-all, be-all and accepting that you are a creative creature and you will keep going, maybe not when you think you should, or when others think you should, but when you are ready to.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
With my background in wildlife biology, my neurodivergence, my queerness, and my lifetime passion for every living thing outside the spotlight, I am no stranger to being set apart from others. It is those facets of myself that I create from, and I am endlessly inspired by the strange ecology that I surround myself with. I am most proud of my ability to bring attention to plants, animals, and fungi that most people don’t stop to pay attention to. My art features larger than life colors, sometimes wonky proportions, and fun bits like thought bubbles, cowboy boots, and hearts. I make art for weirdos, and I am so lucky to have been given a platform to share that art on a professional level with Minnesota Nice Enough Stickers and the Reptile and Amphibian Center of the Rockies. Both organizations have been integral to giving me a space to sell my art without pressuring me to make it palatable to anyone besides myself and the people I want to make art for. The biggest challenge for me specifically with making and selling art professionally is the demand to create. I love living slowly, and that is directly at odds with trying to make a living in our capitalist society. A way I have been able to move towards living slower and giving myself the space to make my art has been turning my back on what is expected and moving into a shuttle bus-camper-RV conversion with my partner. Through this lifestyle change we’ve been able to stop paying rent, work less, and save time to live and create. If there is anything I want people to take away from my story or my “brand,” it is to remind you to take time for childlike wonder. Learn the plants in your backyard, listen to the birds, stop and watch the bugs, help turtles cross the road, make up new constellations, and always remember to give yourself the rest you deserve.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I am based in Fort Collins, and I absolutely love the local art scene here. The first place I always tell people to check out around here is The Lyric– an awesome venue to get a drink, watch a movie, see a drag show, play trivia, or immerse yourself in all kinds of art. One of my favorite local restaurants in town is Union Bar & Soda Fountain, they always have amazing drinks and great fries. The best place to shop in Old Town is hands down Curiosities, a one-stop shop for all kinds of gifts, local art, and quality jewelry. If you want to get outside, my favorite Fort Collins Natural Area has to be Riverbend Ponds– there are always turtles to see when it’s warm out! Not to mention the great birding.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The two most important people in my artistic journey are without a doubt my mom and grandma. Both are incredible painters themselves, and have always encouraged me to be myself and to embrace my unique passions. A lot of people who grow up loving the unusual, especially little girls, are often shamed out of it or told those topics aren’t for them. I have so much appreciation for my family who never made me feel like loving things like reptiles and bugs was wrong, and had nothing but love for the art I made of these cherished subjects.

I would also like to give a shoutout to Biff Ulm at Minnesota Nice Enough, who started carrying my line of stickers last year and has been nothing but encouraging. He saw my potential and did the best thing you can do for a budding professional artist, he gave me a platform and an infrastructure through which to share my art. I especially appreciate his people-first approach and commitment to keeping the soul in the art he sells.

Instagram: @anaxyrus_art

Image Credits
Hannah Caracalas