Clockwise from Top Left:
"Blues" 8x10" acrylic on paper;
"Kiss" 8x8" encaustic on panel;
Heather in her studio with "Intention" 18x24" encaustic on panel;
"Cascade" 16x20" acrylic on canvas;
"Reflection" 36x36" acrylic on canvas;
"Burst" 9x12" acrylic on paper;
"Escape" 18x18" encaustic on panel;
Heather working with her Blowtourch;
"Dive" 18x18" encaustic on panel
Studio photographs by kirstensmithphotography.com
Creating has always been an important part of my life. I received my BFA in painting from The Maryland Institute College of Art, and have painted every since. I have lived most of my life in Baltimore but have recently moved to a more rural area of Maryland with my family. I work in various medium, primarily oil, acrylic and encaustic. My collections vary from one another. This is important to who I am as an artist. I am inspired to work through a theme by approaching it from different angles.
The majority of my work explores basic emotional states. We've all found ourselves in varying situations of confinement, camaraderie, reverie and desolation. There are moments when we are part of a community, and moments where we are isolated. These scenarios might evoke a different emotional reaction for each individual depending on time and place. I intend to bring attention to this universal human condition.
Within each of my painting I also find a joy in the tactile. I create abstracted moments that reference a particular composition usually found in nature. I am drawn to beautiful moments within a painting. There is the small nuances that a color, line or texture can create. Sometimes that beauty is enough.
When I am not painting I love to read, run and and encourage other mothers to find a creative outlet.
heatherkirtland.com
More about encaustic: http://www.heatherkirtland.com/about-encaustic