Mom Crush: Hannah Winters
At Baybala, we’re inspired by creative mothers who balance their passion with the joys of motherhood. In our Mom Crush series, we highlight women who do just that.
Today, we’re excited to feature Birmingham-based artist Hannah Winters. Known for her calming use of color and texture, Hannah has built a thriving art career while raising her three sons. Her story beautifully blends creativity with motherhood, showing how she finds inspiration in both the extraordinary and everyday moments.
You’ve built a beautiful career as an artist—how did your passion for painting first begin, and how has it evolved alongside motherhood?
Growing up, painting was the first thing I ever expressed interest in. In my early years I spent most Saturdays taking private art lessons and learning about famous artists. These lessons are the greatest gift my parents gave me in my childhood (I remind them of that all the time) – and sparked in me a lifelong passion for creating and appreciating art. My aunt and grandmother were both fine artists and art has always been a part of my life. I started fine art lessons as an 8-year-old and fell in love immediately; I also started portraits at that age as I was guided by my aunt.
I received my bachelors degree in nursing from Auburn in 2014, so I felt like my childlike dream to grow up and be an artist was long gone. It wasn’t until I became a mother that I realized I have this finite time here on this earth and I really didn’t want to waste it. Motherhood stripped me down to my bare bones and I had to rebuild myself back again. Art was something that felt ingrained in me my entire life, so that felt like the first stepping stone to self-discovery again.
Without the birth of our boys, I’m not sure I would have ever started painting again. Somewhere along the way the world made me believe that being an artist wasn’t enough and I let go of that dream when I was young. But when Camp and Wells were born, I felt like myself for the first time in a decade - all I wanted to do was paint. I was completely unrestrained and I fell hopelessly in love with these two boys while falling back in love with myself. My boys’ birth cascaded my own rebirth. Motherhood had a way of bringing immense magic and divine purpose to my life, and these two boys influence me daily to be my most authentic self - which is in my studio with a brush in hand.
How do you stay creatively inspired? Are there certain routines, environments, or influences that fuel your work?
Nature plays a key role in my art. Since becoming a mother I am now seeing the world through the eyes of two tiny five-year-olds and a 3-month-old. My boys constantly stop me to point out the world around us – the dappling light on the ground from the trees above, the wisteria growing on our fence, the carpenter bees dancing overhead. Motherhood has given me a whole new set of eyes in seeing the beauty around me and has made life speed up and slow down at the same time. I’m now inviting my boys to lay in the grass to stare at the clouds and am constantly encouraging them to collect all of the things they find to be beautiful. Nature inspires me to appreciate the beauty in my every day, but I have my boys to thank for that. The more time I spend outside, the more time I want to translate it in the studio. Windows must be open at all times during studio hours!
Starting and growing a creative business is no small feat. What have been some of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
I never thought being a small-business owner was on my bingo card for this lifetime nor was it ever a deep desire of mine! But once my art started taking off I found that I loved the business side of things so much. I immediately recruited my dad and husband to pick their brains on the financial side, but when it comes to running the business day to day I have never wavered on how I run things: I create when I feel like creating and post when I feel like posting. It’s important for me that the product I’m selling is something that can’t be forced or inauthentic. I like to believe the people that have been collecting my art over the years value and cherish the work that comes out when it’s ready to come out. When I create work that I feel rushed in or work I’m not proud of, it doesn’t “perform” as well. I put deep thought into what I’m painting and how it will resonate with those who choose to hang it in their homes. I think my biggest lesson has been following my gut with what sounds peaceful in running my business. Instagram tells me to post more, to create more reels, to follow their new algorithm; but I refuse to join the rat race. If I can continue creating work I’m proud of that resonates with others, that’s a successful business for me.
How do you approach self-care and finding moments of calm amid the busy demands of motherhood?
I’m lucky that self-care for me is painting. When I’m touched out and overloaded, I quietly slip into my studio. I always get a second wind of energy once Jack comes home and once the kids are fed, I’ll escape for a bit and paint. It grounds me and recenters me after caring for others all day.
What advice do you have for others when it comes to selecting art for their home?
Art you select should make you feel something. If it reminds you of a feeling or a place or a fond memory, the artist has been successful. I have always been drawn to old-world landscapes and my family has always joked with me that I’m from a different century (and country!). Old, vintage-style landscapes remind me of simpler times and artists from the past who inspire me so much. They bring so much character and charm to our home.
What advice would you give to other artists looking to turn their passion into a full-time career?
Just start. You don’t have to arrive somewhere in order to fulfill this passion. You don’t have to have the art studio, you don’t have to have the nicest paints, you don’t have to have all of the supplies. Your creative journey can simply look like grabbing grocery store paint brushes and the cheapest paints you can find online. Paint at your kitchen table. Create on your back porch. Create with what you have around you. I felt for the longest time that I couldn’t begin painting until I had everything in order – but it’s so untrue! If you wait for everything to be perfect in order to start then you never will. Once you start creating, create every day. In my earlier years I’d sit down every day and put something on paper, even if I didn’t intend on selling or posting it. I think this really instilled a confidence and dedication in me that
What projects or collaborations are you currently working on, and what excites you most about the future of your art?
One of my main collaborations is with Four Hands out of Austin, Texas. They are able to print and frame my work out of their studio and sell wholesale to retailers all over the country. It’s created so many opportunities for me and opened a lot of doors for my business. I’m excited to see where I land next!
