Hannah Bender is a painter and printmaker based in Houston, TX. 

Photography by Joseph Bui

my practice encompasses a wide range of skills, processes, tools, and materials; I’m predominately a painter and printmaker, however, I often use methods of carpentry, sewing, design, and illustration within my work. interested in art-making from a perspective of math, science, and gender, I approach my work thinking about the properties of my materials and their potential, physically and conceptually.

how can outside variables, such as water, force, gravity, etc. affect the effect of the visual image? what is the sensory experience like when the physical properties of a material are changed? creating becomes experimenting with the real world.

using material and image, often my work pushes the boundaries of socially perceived gendered stereotypes through juxtaposition. my paintings contain images of trains and the urban environment transferred onto soft, light silk using a pasting and scrubbing process or serigraphy. the images and the technique exude a decayed, mechanical theme, while the color palette and silk speak towards energy and delicacy. i’m interested in describing the nuanced ability of masculinity and femininity through color, image, and material.

lucky enough to have grown up around encouraging caretakers, such as my mom, my teachers, and the women who tended to me at Girls Inc. as a child, I’ve had the unique experience of being told I can do anything as a kid, and really believing it all the way into my adulthood. because of this, I feel that maintaining whimsy, curiosity, and playfulness is of utmost importance for the next generation, and I pursue this by sustaining my creative work.

curriculum vitae

  • Master of Fine Arts, Painting

    University of Houston, Houston, TX

    2025

    Bachelor of Fine Arts, Graphic Design

    University of Central Arkansas, Conway, AR

    2022

  • Print Shop Manager

    Red Bird Press, Houston, TX

    Sept 2025 - Current

    Adjunct Faculty, Printmaking

    University of Houston, Houston, TX

    Aug 2025 - Current

    Gallery Manager

    The Lanecia A. Rouse Gallery, Houston, TX

    Oct 2023 - Current

    Gallery Preparator

    Lawndale Art Center, Houston, TX

    July 2023 - Current

    Artist in Residence

    Kala Art Institute, Berkeley, CA

    Aug 4 - 15, 2025

    Graduate Teaching Fellow

    University of Houston, Houston TX

    Aug 2023 - May 2025

    Studio Assistant

    Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, Deer Isle, ME

    Aug 2024

    Gallery Preparator

    Blaffer Art Museum, Houston, TX

    Jan 2023 - June 2024

    Studio Assistant

    Taylor Smalls, Oakland, CA

    May 2022 - July 2022

  • In The Nave: New Versions in This World, Holy Family HTX & The LAR Gallery, Houston, TX

    group fundraising exhibition, Oct 19, 2025

    Her Voice, Her Vision, Soundwaves Gallery, Lockhart, TX

    group fundraising exhibition, curator: Makenna Hatter-Paxton, Oct 10 - Dec 2, 2025

    Untitled Art Fair, George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX

    Lawndale Art Center booth & UH School of Art booth, Sept 18 - 20, 2025

    47th Annual MFA Thesis Exhibition, Blaffer Art Museum, Houston, TX

    group exhibition, Mar 21 - Apr 20, 2025

    Decision ‘24, Charles Adams Gallery, Lubbock, TX

    group exhibition, juror: Brandon Zech, Nov 1 - Dec 2, 2024

    #NEWVISIONS2024, Texas Photographic Society

    online group exhibition, juror: Keily Anderson-Staley, opened Apr 19, 2024

    flammable, Elgin Street Studios, Houston, TX

    solo exhibition, Mar 21 - Apr 20, 2024

    By Hand: Alternative Processes, Center for Contemporary Arts, Abilene, TX

    group exhibition, juror: Christine Anderson, Dec 7, 2023 - Feb 3, 2024

    The Big Show, Lawndale Art Center, Houston, TX

    group exhibition, juror: Dr. Kanitra Fletcher, June 1 - Aug 12, 2023

    UCA Lactation Suites, University of Central Arkansas, Conway, AR

    permanent duo exhibition with Lindsey (Witting) Barnum, opened Feb 13, 2023

    BA/BFA Exhibiton, Baum Gallery, Conway, AR

    group exhibition, jurors: UCA Art + Design Faculty, Apr 7 - 18, 2023

    Black, White, and Shades of Gray, Sebastopol Center for the Arts, Sebastopol, CA

    group exhibition, juror: Harry Frank, June 19 - July 25, 2021

  • Nancy Luton Printmaking Education Grant, PrintMatters, Oct 2024

    Outstanding Student in the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, faculty nomination + application, University of Central Arkansas, May 2022

    Bear C.L.A.W.S. (Celebrating the Loftly Achievements of our Wonderful Students) Award, faculty nomination, University of Central Arkansas, Feb 2022

q & a

  • All of my work is for sale unless otherwise noted. Pricing is available upon request. Please email hannahpaintsalot@gmail.com or fill out the contact form for inquiries.

    Payment plans available

  • I do accept commissions on a case-by-case basis. Currently, I'm only open to projects that allow artistic freedom and situate well with my style.

  • I love studio visits! If you're a fellow artist or just simply interested in my practice, I would love to speak with you in my studio. Reach out through the contact form or through email at hannahpaintsalot@gmail.com.

  • Connect with me! I share my practice predominately through Instagram @hannahpaintsalot.