Born in Melbourne, Australia, Sarah Hankinson is a visual artist, educator and community facilitator whose multidisciplinary practice is rooted in observation, connection, and attention to the natural world. With over two decades of experience spanning commercial illustration, fine art, and community engagement, she explores themes of place and ecology through painting, drawing, and collaborative making.
Sarah has exhibited widely and collaborated on numerous public art projects, including murals, residencies and socially engaged community projects. Her work has been featured in local and national publications, and her illustration career includes commissions for Australian and international clients across editorial, advertising and publishing.
In recent years, Sarah's focus has expanded to encompass arts-based wellbeing and mental health programs, aligning her creative output with broader conversations about mindfulness and the role of creativity in everyday life.
A passionate educator, Sarah teaches across a variety of settings, including community groups, adult education and schools. Her workshops focus on observation-based drawing and painting, encouraging participants to slow down, engage with materials, and embrace play. Her creative practice bridges disciplines and focuses on creating inclusive, accessible opportunities for people to connect through art making.
In 2024, Sarah published Art Class: Flowers and Foliage: Creating Contemporary Botanical Art with Thames & Hudson Australia, a beginner-friendly guide to contemporary botanical art.
Sarah has both Patreon and Substack. Her substack is a monthly newsletter straight from the studio, sharing what she has been making, what’s inspiring her, and what’s coming up. Sarahs Patreon is a more in-depth space focused on art-making, teaching, and creative process -designed for anyone wanting to build confidence and consistency in their creative practice.
Photo credit: Becca Crawford
Sarah acknowledges and pays her respects to the Boon Wurrung people, the Traditional Custodians and First People of the land on which she makes her art, lives and loves. She acknowledges the important role that art has played on these lands for thousands of years, and acknowledges First Peoples of Australia as the first artists and first creators of culture. Sarah pays the rent to the Traditional Owners of this land.
