We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Heather Prall a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Heather, appreciate you joining us today. Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?

If I could go back in time, I do wish I had started my creative career sooner. Looking back, I can see that the desire to create has always been there. I took my first painting class in 6th grade and ended up winning first prize in an art contest. That early experience lit a spark in me, but at the time I was starting college, I was persuaded by the opinions of others not to pursue a creative path. I was told it wasn’t practical — that there weren’t many opportunities and that creative jobs didn’t pay well. So, I listened.

Instead, I followed a more traditional route and built a successful 13-year career in Human Resources. It was stable, structured, and I learned a lot — but deep down, I always felt something was missing. It wasn’t until I left the corporate world in 2013, after witnessing mass layoffs and reevaluating what I really wanted, that I gave myself permission to return to art and make it a central part of my life.

Had I started my creative career earlier, I think I would have felt more fulfilled, more aligned with who I truly am. I would have explored more, taken bigger risks, and grown faster as an artist. Still, I don’t regret the journey. My HR background has helped me build a creative business with strong foundations, and I now bring all of that life experience to my work.

So while I wish I’d started sooner for my own happiness, I also recognize that everything I’ve lived through adds richness to what I create now.

Heather, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m an abstract artist creating original works that are rooted in emotion, energy, and transformation. My process is intuitive and fluid — I work with acrylics and alcohol inks to build layered, expressive pieces that invite people to pause, feel, and connect. I’ve recently started working with watercolors as well, which has added a new softness and spontaneity to my creative process that I’m really enjoying.

My work speaks to people who want more than just decoration — they want meaning, soul, and presence in their space. I offer original paintings, limited-edition prints, and commissions that are tailored to a collector’s vision or energy. I also collaborate with interior designers and private clients to create pieces that elevate and personalize homes and workspaces.

One thing that sets my work apart is the emotional depth behind it. I’ve walked through reinvention, grief, and growth — and that journey informs everything I create. I believe in the power of beauty to heal, inspire, and reconnect us to ourselves. Collectors often tell me my art feels alive, like it carries a certain frequency or grounding energy — that’s what I strive for with every piece.

I want people to know that my art isn’t about perfection or polish. It’s about presence. It’s about capturing what’s real — the chaos, clarity, softness, strength — and letting it live on the canvas. I’m most proud when someone tells me that a painting of mine made them feel seen or brought them peace. That’s when I know I’m doing what I’m meant to do.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I believe the best way society can support artists and a thriving creative ecosystem is by valuing creativity as an essential part of life, not just something extra or decorative. Art has the power to inspire, heal, challenge, and connect us. When we support artists, we’re really investing in the emotional and cultural well-being of our communities.

One of the most important things we can do is nurture creative expression from an early age. So many people, including myself, are steered away from creative careers because they’re seen as risky or impractical. Encouraging young people to explore the arts, and showing them that creative paths are valid and valuable, can make a real difference.

It also helps when artists are given the resources and visibility to share their work in meaningful ways. That might mean more public funding, opportunities to exhibit or sell work, and platforms that highlight and connect creatives. Practical support. like access to materials, affordable studio space, or fair pay, can go a long way in helping artists build sustainable careers.

Community is also key. When artists are included in public projects, supported by local businesses, or invited to collaborate across fields, it reinforces the idea that creativity matters and belongs in everyday life.

When we invest in the arts, we create a more vibrant, connected, and inspired world. And that benefits everyone.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Yes, absolutely. At the heart of my creative journey is a deep desire to explore and express emotion, and to create space for both healing and growth — for myself and for others. Art has been a powerful outlet for me, especially during some of the more difficult chapters of my life. It’s helped me process grief, navigate change, and reconnect with my sense of purpose. Every time I step into the studio, I’m not just making something visually interesting. I’m tapping into something much more personal and reflective.

My mission is to create work that resonates emotionally and energetically. I want my art to evoke a feeling, a pause, or even a sense of peace in someone else. Whether it’s through the movement of color, the layers of texture, or the energy a piece holds, I hope my work invites others to feel more deeply, to reflect, and maybe even to heal something within themselves.

Ultimately, my goal is to keep creating from a place of authenticity — and to connect with others who see a part of themselves in what I make. That connection, that shared experience, is what keeps me going.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://heatherprall.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heatherprallart
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heatherprallart
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatherprall
• Twitter: https://x.com/prallh