Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Feig.
Hi Heather, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My love for the arts began when I was a child. I took all kinds of after-school classes in dance, music, and studio art, and I was always happiest when I was creating something. I also had an entrepreneurial spirit from a young age. In fourth grade, I became especially interested in ceramics and drew up a little catalog of custom pins that I could make. I remember one classmate ordering a pin for her mom for Mother’s Day. I can still remember the feeling of knowing that someone wanted something I had created. There was so much joy in both making it and seeing someone else enjoy it.
That love for art continued throughout high school. I always chose art electives, and they were my favorite classes. Art was simply SO much fun. At the same time, I was surrounded by incredibly talented classmates, many of whom have gone on to successful careers in the arts. I admired their work, but I was also intimidated by it. I often felt that my work didn’t compare, and I convinced myself that art would probably remain a hobby for me. I didn’t see how I could “make it” as an artist, and I was afraid that turning something I loved into a career might make it feel like a chore.
In college, I studied business and marketing, which allowed me to explore another passion of mine: entrepreneurship. I continued to make art whenever I could. I painted in my dorm room, created painted signs for my sorority, and took art classes during the summers. I briefly worked in advertising after college, but I quickly realized that the corporate world wasn’t for me. I eventually went to graduate school and earned my Master’s Degree in Elementary Education. Teaching the primary grades felt like a way to combine my creativity with my love of working with children. I brought that creativity into my classroom through art projects, imaginative lessons, and even elaborate bulletin boards that became their own creative productions.
Then life took over in a different way. In my 30s, I moved to New York City, got married, and had a baby. For a long time, creating art felt selfish. I wondered how I could spend time on my “hobby” when I had the responsibilities of being a wife and mother. Art is messy and time-consuming, and I had convinced myself there were more important things I should be doing.
As my children got older, however, I started finding my way back to art. After moving back to Florida and beginning to spend our summers in Nantucket, something shifted. I took a mixed-media class at the Artists Association of Nantucket and discovered that I still had that creative spark. In fact, I realized I had more to explore than I ever had before.
I began taking mixed-media classes at the Boca Raton Museum of Art School, experimenting with new techniques, materials, and styles. Over the past several years, I have developed my own artistic language by combining influences from artists I admire, including Jojo Anavim, with techniques I have learned from the many artists and teachers who have inspired me along the way. Collaborating with other artists, taking classes, and visiting galleries and art shows have all played an important role in shaping my work.
The real turning point came last summer when I entered a piece in an open call for artists at the Cecilia Joyce & Seward Johnson Gallery in Nantucket. To my surprise, the piece sold on the very first night. I was then asked to create another piece, which sold just a few weeks later.
That was the moment something clicked for me. I realized that the passion I had carried with me since childhood could actually become a business. The little girl who once drew a catalog of ceramic pins had never really stopped being an artist. I had simply spent years putting that part of myself on hold.
Today, I’m embracing that part of myself wholeheartedly. I’m still learning, experimenting, and evolving, but I no longer see art as something I have to choose between and everything else in my life. I see it as an important part of who I am—and something I’m excited to continue building.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
This is an interesting question. I mindfully chose to enter the world as a working artist on my own time line. My earlier fears of “work” taking the joy out of my passion are still present. I also have two children who are very busy with school projects and activities who I need to be available for. So I have entered this new chapter slowly, patiently and organically. I made an art studio at home, an instagram page for my artwork, continue to take classes, try new techniques and put myself out there. I have had a manageable amount of commissions which have been super exciting for me to produce. So I would say that the road has been pretty smooth and I’m grateful for that!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I love creating many different types of art. I paint, collage, decoupage, and experiment with all kinds of materials and techniques, but I would say that I specialize in mixed-media collage. What draws me to collage is the freedom it gives me. I can use so many different materials, textures, colors, and images, and there really is no right or wrong. It’s about the flow, the feeling, and seeing where the piece wants to go. I often say that my art is a vibe.
I’m especially drawn to nostalgia and personal meaning, which is why I love creating commissions. I enjoy learning what is meaningful to a client and finding a creative way to incorporate those memories, places, people, or moments into a piece of art. I love that the finished work can be deeply personal while still being visually interesting and a little unexpected.
I also love playing with the contrast of black and white against color. For example, I might use a vintage newspaper article or photograph as the background and then layer colorful images on top that have significance to the piece. The images make sense together, but there is also something abstract and open to interpretation about them. Every piece is completely unique and one of a kind.
One technique I’ve particularly enjoyed exploring is hand-dyeing different types of paper. I love tearing the dyed paper and using it in my collages, especially when creating scenes inspired by nature, flowers, or water. Because the paper is hand-dyed, it can take on the appearance and movement of a painting. People are often surprised when I tell them that what they thought was painted was actually created with ripped pieces of paper.
What I’m most proud of is the connection people have with my work. When someone is drawn to a piece because it speaks to them, that means so much to me. And when someone trusts me to take something personal and meaningful from their life and turn it into a custom piece that they love enough to hang in their home, that is incredibly special to me.
I’m also very proud that I was one of five artists chosen to represent the Boca Raton Museum of Art School students at their annual outdoor juried art festival in Mizner Park this past year. Being selected was a wonderful validation of how far I’ve come and made me even more excited to continue exploring where my art can take me.
What’s next?
My plans for the future are to continue growing as an artist while staying true to the way I’ve chosen to build this part of my life—slowly, organically, and with a lot of intention. I don’t necessarily have one big end goal in mind. I’m more excited about seeing where my art takes me and allowing new opportunities to unfold.
I would love to continue taking classes, experimenting with new techniques and materials, participating in art shows, and creating more commissions. I’m especially excited about growing my collection of original work and continuing to put it out into the world. I would also love to connect with more people who are drawn to my style and eventually have my work shown in more galleries and exhibitions.
One thing I’m really looking forward to is pushing myself creatively. I feel like I’m still discovering my voice as an artist, and that is one of the most exciting parts of this journey. There are so many materials and techniques I haven’t explored yet, and I’m curious to see how my work continues to evolve.
As far as big changes, I’m open to them, but I’m not in a rush. I want my art career to grow alongside my family and my life rather than compete with it. If something wonderful comes along that feels right, I’m excited to embrace it. For now, I’m just really grateful to be doing something I love, sharing it with others, and seeing where this next chapter leads.
Pricing:
- Pricing varies
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @heatherfeigart
