dinsdag 12 november 2013

Heather Duncan (Kunst)

*****
Heather Duncan never planned to be an artist because she didn't think she would be able to earn a living doing what she most loved. Instead, she had planned to go into interior design or fashion design and paint in her free time. But fate was smiling on her and had other ideas for this abundantly talented woman who would not only have the opportunity to work as an artist but to use her creative talents in many areas of her life.

As a child, home was Little Rock, Ark. Early in life, she enjoyed coloring and drawing, as did her older brother, although he grew up to be a pilot. Her mother, also a creative person, had learned to sew out of necessity as a girl and passed this skill on to Heather. Always a very busy person, deeply involved with sports and band, it wasn't until high school that it occurred to Heather how much she enjoyed the arts and how satisfying painting, in particular, was to her.

The recipient of a four-year academic scholarship, Heather went to Arkansas State University where she majored in art. Concerned that if she stayed in art, she would be destined to live the life of a "starving artist," she changed her major. With her background in drawing and sewing, fashion design seemed a natural fit. Convinced that she belonged in New York if she was going to be successful, Heather's parents generously allowed her to forgo her scholarship and attend the University of Delaware in Newark. There she reasoned she would be close to the major Eastern cities that would facilitate her chances of finding work in the fashion industry.

During Heather's last two years of college, as she studied fashion design, illustration, drawing, designing, sewing clothes and pottery, her interest in art continued tugging at her. To help meet expenses, she began working for a framing shop and enjoyed the constant exposure to fine art. She also met a young man, and they began talking about a future together.

After graduating from college in 1997, she continued working for the framing store and was becoming more interested in art than in her college major. She and her fiancée decided they wanted to move to the South away from the snow and cold which further reaffirmed her determination to shift away from fashion. Because she had done well in her job, her company was willing to help her find a position in a new location as the company has many stores.

Moving South, both Heather and her husband agree, was a good choice. The couple married and had a "Renaissance wedding." Heather designed and sewed her gown and headpiece and made her necklace. Had she found more time, she would have designed her bridesmaids' dresses, as well. She also fashioned the floral arrangements, including her bouquet.

Her personal life was right on target, and while she enjoyed the creative portion of her work at the framing studio, she wanted more but was uncertain where to look. Almost on cue, she saw an ad in the paper that Rosenbaum Fine Art was looking for an artist. Her portfolio in hand, filled with paintings and fashion illustrations, she applied and was hired. Heather was thrilled and stunned that she actually found a job as an artist.

Heather's new position was crammed with a great deal of learning. She learned techniques for every style of painting and now paints everything from abstracts to traditional. She paints on canvas or paper using acrylics. Heather loves the freedom she enjoys at Rosenbaum and also enjoys collaboration with colleagues, which aids her in finding new ideas. When studying fashion, she learned to follow trends to determine what was current. She applies that to her artistry. Being an artist and working where she does, she says, is a great job, and she loves it.

Heather especially enjoys painting abstract art. People are always trying to find a message in it, she says, but she enjoys the layers and textures and the way the light works with the process of doing it. "It looks simple," she explains, "but so many layers affect it, and it is necessary to do it slowly rather than to do things too fast which I sometimes try to do." She likes all colors, bright and neutral, feeling that it just takes the right combinations. Her artwork has evolved and is looser. That was difficult for her to master because it implies a form rather than drawing it out exactly.

Further additions to Heather's life include a child and a house, both of which receive her creative touch. When she moved into her home there was not one plant. She says now there is not room for one more plant as she has become an avid gardener. Her home abounds with faux painting; her child's room being the prize. She painted it in a jungle theme with little animals peeking out from under the leaves, a monkey hanging out of a tree, and a parrot looking on at the scene. She sewed all of bed linens and bumper pads with bright tree frogs. She also made all of the window coverings for her home and many of the accessories.

Two of Heather's favorite artists are Michael Parks and James Christensen, both of whom paint fantasy and surrealism. In keeping with that theme, Dr. Seuss books are among her favorites for children. Someday she would like to write and illustrate children's books. In her spare time, and there isn't much, in addition to running, cross–stitching, and taking care of her many pets, Heather enjoys poetry. We're glad that this young woman who didn't think she could become an artist discovered that she could!

http://www.rosenbaumfineart.com/products.html?reset=1&sid=0&szid=0&aid=11

Geen opmerkingen :

Een reactie posten