ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — An artist who once followed a more traditional career path is now using painting, design, and viral internet projects to advocate for climate awareness, kindness and social change.
Speaking about their artistic journey, the creator explained that art had always been a passion growing up, even though it was viewed more as a hobby than a profession within their household.
“I’ve always loved making art,” artist Hannah Rothstein said. “After four years at a normal job, I quit and decided first to pursue jewelry design. And then after that, I realized what I really wanted to do was paint.”
That decision marked the beginning of a full-time artistic career built on experimentation and socially-driven storytelling.
MAY 2026 – Hannah Rothstein, an artist in Asheville, North Carolina. (Photo: WLOS Staff)
Rothstein described creating a series of watercolor and metal-leaf circle paintings referred to as “orbs,” calling them a meditative process that helps reset creatively between larger projects.
“They’re a nice way to slow down and center,” Rothstein said, describing the works as a “palette cleanser” before beginning new ideas.
Her breakthrough came after several projects gained widespread attention online. The viral success pushed Rothstein to think more intentionally about how art could influence conversations and public awareness.
“When I realized I had the ability to make things that people want to talk about and share, I started asking myself what messages I wanted to send,” she said. “To me, climate change is the number one cause.”
One of her earliest climate-focused collections, titled National Parks 2050, reimagined the iconic Works Progress Administration (WPA) national park posters from the 1930s. The updated versions depicted how beloved American landscapes could appear in the future if climate change continues unchecked.
“The idea was that if we don’t take care of these spaces we love, this is what could happen to them,” Rothstein said.
MAY 2026 – Several works by Hannah Rothstein, an artist in Asheville, North Carolina. (Photo: WLOS Staff)
The environmental themes continued in another project called Good Stock, which presented climate solutions through the colorful, energetic style of 1970s rock concert posters.
Beyond environmental advocacy, Rothstein has also explored immigration and national identity through visual reinterpretations of classic American paintings. In those works, immigrants were inserted into historically recognizable scenes to reflect the evolving identity of the United States.
“The idea was that this country has evolved beyond what we were, and these people are also American,” she said.
Another notable project, called the “Periodic Table of Kindness,” transforms the traditional scientific chart into a guide for compassion and self-care. The artwork replaces chemical elements with acts of kindness, ranging from helping neighbors to practicing emotional wellness.
MAY 2026 – An art piece by Hannah Rothstein, an artist in Asheville, North Carolina. (Photo: WLOS Staff)
“It’s just different ways to be kind to yourself, to the planet, and to each other,” she said.
Closing the interview with a direct message, Rothstein emphasized the urgency of environmental action and community support.
“Climate change is real. We need to act on it. Do the little parts you can, make your voice heard, and help each other be kind.”