Boysen recognizes the abundance of impressive Filipino talent. In this blog post, we put a spotlight on a full-time local mural artist we admire. We talked with 28-year-old Hannah Bato, a single mom and artist, about her life and work.
Meet Hannah Bato
Challenging times are opportunities for growth. For Hannah Bato, 28 years old, the start of the pandemic in 2020 coincided with the birth of her firstborn child who was then turning three months old.
She has always had a passion for the arts since she was a schoolgirl selling drawings for a bit of pocket money. The circumstances pushed her to lean on her artistic talents once more. She had entered a few mural contests before and thought to try her hand at it again, this time as a freelance mural artist.
Betting on her talents paid off. Fast forward to today, 5 years into becoming a freelance artist, Hannah, with her small team of painters, has completed over 100 large-scale artworks for her clients, here and abroad.
Her most recent achievement is an invitation to participate in an exhibit at the Philippine Embassy in The Netherlands last March. Held in commemoration of National Women’s Month, the exhibition titled “La Mode En Moi” (The Fashion Within Me) features a collection of Filipiniana dresses alongside paintings from 16 artists, one of which is Hannah.
“During the same trip, a client from Bataan also invited me to Germany to create a mural for them,” says Hannah. “It features a blend of spring and winter elements, such as cherry blossoms and bare trees, along with animals like a fawn, rabbit, squirrels, and the family’s two beloved dogs named Bagani and Agimat.”
Posting videos of her life as an artist regularly on her social media pages, Hannah has built a strong audience on Facebook with more than 200,000 followers. Evident in her vlogs is her preference for Boysen paints.
“What I like about Boysen is that it’s very easy to blend and the colors are vibrant,” Hannah shares. She uses Boysen Permacoat Latex and tints them with Boysen Latex Colors to achieve the colors she needs for her murals.
A lot can change in a few years but some things stay the same. As a single mom of two, her family remains her biggest inspiration. “I often wonder where I would be without my family. They’ve given my life purpose and direction—reminding me why I keep going, even during the hardest times,”
Q&A with the Artist
Briefly take us through what a project is like from start to finish.
First, I acquire clients through my online platforms and referrals. Then, we discuss what the client envisions for their walls–if they have a theme in mind. Based on that, we suggest designs and provide layouts for approval. When they’re happy, a down payment is made and we start on the mural. The remaining balance is due upon completion.
What do you like most about your work?
When the client truly appreciates the finished mural and the hard work we put in since we loved creating it for them too.
What are your favorite and least-liked types of clients?
I typically work with homeowners and business owners. My favorites are those who are easy to communicate with and clearly share their vision for the mural. Less enjoyable are the ones who try to renegotiate the price after the project is completed, especially when we had already agreed on the cost beforehand.
Where do you find artistic inspiration?
I enjoy creating semi-realistic and expressive art. My inspiration comes from several artists, including Van Gogh, Picasso, and Da Vinci. Getting to visit places like the Van Gogh Museum, the Louvre, and the Mauritshuis Museum has only deepened my love and connection to art.
What other mediums do you work with?
Aside from acrylic paint for my murals, I work with charcoal, colored pencils, watercolor, oil paints, and digital art.
Watercolor is my favorite because it allows me to explore the fluid interaction between color and water. But, as a mural artist, I primarily work with acrylic paint, so it has become my second favorite medium.
If you could give one piece of advice to aspiring mural artists, what would it be?
If you’re an aspiring mural artist, I can honestly say from experience that it’s not easy to find clients at first. Choosing to become a full-time mural artist can be challenging, and many people might discourage you, saying it’s not a stable career.
And in a way, they’re right—until you find the right audience and market for your work. It takes patience because you won’t have clients every day. But if you keep going, stay consistent, and keep practicing your craft, the opportunities will come.
Contact Hannah Bato by sending a message via her Facebook page or by sending an email at hannahjillbato@gmail.com. See more of her work through Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
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