I'm a painter and graphic artist , I am Asha Hanna. I aspire to be the next "big thing". Born and raised in Brooklyn NY I was surrounded by art everyday. In school and at home art was my life. I must have went through tons of notebooks in grade school. I'm always drawing something. The first time art became serious for me was in middle school. I attended a art class everyday as a part I my schedule. My art teacher at the time Ms.Fernand always encouraged me to stick to art. I created this piece in art class that I called "the pearl and the rose ". She entered it in this state competition, and I was picked out of hundreds of kids to have there work hung up in this gallery. I remember feeling like I had a sense of purpose after that. My next two gallery shows were in 2009 and 2010 at Ozzies Cafe in park slope Brooklyn. I was attending Laguardia Arts Highschool, the fame school, at the time and was exploring color and shapes. After I graduated in 2011, I wanted a change in scenery and decided to attend Howard University for college. Little did I know how much of a difference it would be going from a mostly white school to a 90%plus black school. I had never been on my own and never had to really handle anything all by my self. It was hard for a time being and also adjusting to the culture was slightly changelling. However, there were many positives from choosing to attend Howard University. I meet and study under to great painters Alfred smith and Akili Anderson. My now mentor Akili Ron Anderson, A energetic painter who is one of the original members of Africobra (African commune of bad relevant artists) .The first all African American art group that originated in Chicago. Anderson is a huge influence in my life. His mentor was my cousin ,Buddy Love a renowned musician an artist and now he is my mentor. It was meant to be in a way.i started my org SASH to help support artist. I also was apart of the student show last year for Howard university and will continue to be apart of that. I look forward to being a inspiration and ally to all artist. We all have to support each other.
