Heather uses the language of painting to transmit light that surrounds her.
year of birth: 1978
birthplace: Tarrytown, NY
current residence: Dordogne, France
started dedicating all of her time to painting in 2008, but always drew and painted since she was a child
Where did it all begin?
I think it began mostly in 1991 after my first trip abroad to the South of France with a family I was babysitting for. The light felt different, art was everywhere and I wanted to just dive in to both physically and mentally.
What is the worst advice you’ve heard?
That I should listen to what other people think.
Most beautiful moment during the creative process?
When I am fully in what I am doing and it’s as if the rest of the world falls away and I am truly alone with myself.
What doesn’t inspire you?
Humanity.
What are you proud of?
Staying in the fight to be a solid human being and my daughters for staying in the fight with me all the way.
Who would you like to meet or who would you like to work with?
I would like to meet Gretel Erlich, the author of ‘The Solace of Open Spaces’. She is a personal hero. I would like to work with myself.
Favorite material?
Oil sticks. Not oil pastels, oil sticks.
What would you have done, if not this?
I would have worked with flowers and plants. I could work in my greenhouse and garden all day when the sun is shining. I love seeing how life grows in nature.
When was your biggest moment of doubt?
The first time I showed the rest of the world what I was creating.
Who is your biggest supporter?
My daughters, they are always my biggest fans, and then simultaneously my female friends support me with so much encouragement and love. It doesn’t matter where I am in the world, they always seem to be cheering me on.
Favorite image?
I love this photo of the front of my house where I like to hang paintings sometime to get a different perspective. My old neighbour Roger who is nearing 80 years old, finds it very amusing.
What is to you, the most beautiful sentence?
“Everything in nature invites us constantly to be what we are”
– Gretel Erlich
What do you still want to do?
I want to explore the entire Continent of South America and create a series of work based on my experience there.
Where do you work?
Want to see more of Heather’s work?
makers over hun passie. 