The singing seamtstress...
I have always been a maker. I made my own clothes as a teen and would scour my nanna's Golden Hands magazines as a kid looking for all the macrame patterns. Embroidery, felting, beading, marbling, jewellery making: I have done it all and have the craft stash to show for it!
In high school I decided I wanted a life in the theatre. So I put my crafts away and spent many, many hours tap dancing and practising my scales (with the dog joining in). It finally paid off and I was accepted into WAAPA in 2002. I finished my formal education with a degree, some certificates and a Grad. Diploma (Education) under my belt. While rehearsing no-budget cabarets on weekends, I got a teaching job. One thing led to another, as these things do, and I found myself rediscovering my passion for the visual arts. I didn't study art in high school, so I set about teaching myself and taking the odd workshop. |
A family legacy
At this point I should mention that my dad, my uncle, my cousins, my grandfather are all surfers. I never got it. Then, in 2007, I caught the stoke. A weekend surf camp with some friends and I finally understood. It was around this time I started painting with watercolours.
When travelling around the world in 2010 on a 'surfari', I was inspired by artists in California and Hawaii, who use their medium to express their love of; and relationship with the ocean.
Back on our 'Island Home', of course, lots of people have a deep love of the ocean and it finally clicked to combine my two passions.
I now create art that captures the surfing lifestyle.
When travelling around the world in 2010 on a 'surfari', I was inspired by artists in California and Hawaii, who use their medium to express their love of; and relationship with the ocean.
Back on our 'Island Home', of course, lots of people have a deep love of the ocean and it finally clicked to combine my two passions.
I now create art that captures the surfing lifestyle.
The birth of a mermaid
Through Mermaid’s Coin, I combine my two passions, surfing and making, to create limited edition artworks and objects evocative of the beach, ocean and surf culture. It is a one-woman, Fremantle-based business creating ‘surf art’ that is vibrant, retro and fun.
Established in 2013, I got the idea for the name from a legend about Sand Dollars, (Clypeasteroida) or Sea Biscuits. One tale goes that they are coins dropped from mermaids' purses and washed to shore. I pride myself on my attention to detail. Wherever possible products, are made from sustainable materials. Collagraph prints are created using traditional printmaking techniques, water-based inks, and an etching press and then tinted with artist quality watercolours – so each one is unique. Finding balanceI now try to balance my creative business with the business of raising two small humans, working part-time, herding cats, and getting into the waves when the swell is up.
Oh, and trying to convert as many non-surfers as I can to the joys of surfing. I sell fine art intaglio prints, giclee prints, cards, stationery and home decor via my Etsy store, artisan markets and local & international stockists. I license my art and also teach my skills to others. Mermaid's Coin is made for the surfer girls, surfers at heart, those decking out a beach house, or just wanting a little bit of Summer to hang on their wall. Stay stoked! Hannah Katarski. |
A sunset surf with your girlfriend, a glassy, knee high ride at dawn, escaping with the girls for a weekend of adventure, getting lost and finding yourself, lone walks on the beach, finding shells, connecting with nature and having fun! Mermaid's Coin is made for the surfer girls, surfers at heart, those decking out a beach house, or just wanting a little bit of Summer to hang on their wall. |
Press
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