Mom
“Mom” | Hannah Tews
Milwaukee, WI
Created in Spring 2025
All photos courtesy of Jim Sinicki (@charlie_james_photo)
Local Milwaukee artist Hannah Tews added “Mom” to Black Cat Alley in April 2025.
Inspired by the loss of Hannah’s mother and her continued journey through motherhood, “Mom” features a luminous polar bear surrounded by stars. “The polar bear is my new north, my light, my intuition, and my trust to let nature prevail,” says Hannah. “It’s a quiet tribute to my own mother's spirit, ever-present and guiding, and also a reflection of my journey through motherhood with my son. The bear carries both memory and momentum—where we come from and where we're going.”
This mural is a striking and intimate moment in the Alley, inviting viewers to reflect, remember, and reconnect.
Hannah Tews
Hannah's clean, edited style uses simple shapes and bold colors to calm the chaos and spark the imagination, giving viewers a quiet moment to enjoy. Hannah is an illustrator and artist, creating pieces that blend nature, memory, and emotion with bright, bold colors and playful patterns.
Animals are often at the heart of her work, sometimes acting as guides or symbols. Hannah's style mixes simple shapes with textured layers and vibrant colors, creating pieces that feel joyful and grounded, even when they touch on grief or loss.
Hannah draws inspiration from the quiet ways we stay connected-to the earth, to each other, and to those we've loved-and she uses her art to honor those bonds, whether in a picture book, print, or mural.
You can see more of Hannah’s work at terribletews.com or follow her on Instagram at @terribletews.
