We recently connected with Caroline Heckman and have shared our conversation below.

Caroline, appreciate you joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

As a young child, when asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I was certain I was going to become a painter. I’ve always been a creative type, exploring my imagination through writing, drawing, etc. I vividly remember playing around with a variety of mediums such as markers, pens, crayons, Play Doh, and paint. I came from a supportive household that encouraged artistic expression in all forms. My parents would often bring home reams of printer paper for me to work on with whatever mediums I had available. I remember my brother nicknaming me “Crayola” around that time.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a Pittsburgh-based artist who expresses myself through a variety of mediums including, most notably, acrylic paintings. I was always a creative type but lost sight of it in my late teens due to mental health and other priorities. My journey as an artist reignited in 2018 at age 22 after being diagnosed with stage 2 thyroid cancer. I had plenty of down-time during my treatment and I quickly picked up drawing again. This became a major catalyst for the creative passion I had as a kid. I started creating portraits of celebrities I admired using colored pencils, but soon my art became more introspective, creating characters that paralleled my life using paint and canvas. While acrylic paints are my primary medium, I will work with whatever materials I can get my hands on!

Aside from personal works I complete commissioned work for others including hand-painted guitars, apparel, digital pieces, and canvas paintings. Commissioned pieces can be challenging but allow me to step outside of my comfort zone and try new mediums and techniques. Commissions are an important practice in my growth as an artist and could help someone who may struggle with articulating their own emotions. Collaboration plays an important role in this and it’s always an honor getting to bring someone else’s vision to life.

My main goal as an artist is to get my emotions onto the canvas, promoting healing within myself and helping others in their own journeys. For me there’s tremendous catharsis in creating and I aim to inspire others to explore their emotions and discover their own forms of release. Honesty and openness is a major facet of my practice, among myself and with others.

In January 2024 I curated my first solo gallery exhibition titled ‘The Motions.’ This show explored emotions through a series of vibrant portrait paintings meant to convey the idea of “going through the motions” and experiencing the highs and lows of the healing process. Following that I organized a photo shoot for a few pieces of hand painted apparel. I titled this project ‘Chroma,’ which amplified emotions through colors and unique faces. This project felt meaningful as it allowed me to collaborate with other local creatives, sharing vulnerability and setting the stage for a fun, bold project celebrating life’s palette.

My next project is in the works and I can’t wait to dig deeper, collaborate, and continue sharing my inner world!

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

I think non-creatives may struggle to understand the emotional depth involved in creating introspective art and why I create the way I do. As someone who feels things deeply I constantly navigate and respond to each emotion that passes through, which can be exhausting at times. Journaling plays a significant role in my process, often leading me into a reflective mode of painting. All of my pieces reflect myself in some way whether they represent me physically or mentally and, in turn, I produce many self portraits.

Self-portraits are a way for me to confront my inner self—they allow me to examine my identity, emotions, and experiences. Each self-portrait is like a visual diary entry, capturing a specific moment or feeling in my life. I’ve always been one to capture and reflect on my life in many different forms and I think it’s the neatest thing getting to see that progression over the years.

For me, these self-portraits are about self-discovery. They provide a space for vulnerability where I can be honest with myself and, in turn, with my audience. I think this openness invites others to reflect on their own journeys, making the art a shared experience from artist to audience and so on. The process for these pieces is deeply personal, but the connections they create is what makes the work truly meaningful.

Since I began my practice again with realistic, structured works I often struggle with fluidity in my pieces. I tend to paint with intentionality, putting a lot of thought behind every brushstroke. The emotions are definitely with me in the studio and I think that passion shows through my work, but I’m working on becoming looser while I paint and not overthinking my artistic decisions. I think that relaxation will show more and more in my upcoming works.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is hearing from others about how I’ve inspired them to dive deeper into their own creative practice or how my journey has touched them in some way. In a world where people often don’t share the trials they’re facing, I make it a point to remain as authentic as possible, both on and offline. This openness has allowed me to connect with people I might not have interacted with otherwise.
These connections are not just rewarding—they also help drive my creativity. Every time someone shares how my work has impacted them, it deepens my commitment to creating art that is honest, reflective, and emotionally resonant. It reminds me that art is more than just a personal expression; it’s a dialogue and a way to foster understanding between others.
You never know who you might be affecting by sharing your experiences, so I believe it’s important to share what you’re comfortable with in an honest and open manner. It’s incredibly fulfilling to receive messages from people telling me that I’ve been an inspiration to them over the years. Knowing that my journey has resonated with others and has maybe even helped them through their own challenges is a great reminder of why I share my story.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://CarlWheezy.BigCartel.com
• Instagram: @CarlWheezyBaby
• Youtube: @CarlWheezyBaby

Image Credits

@manic_pacquiao

@ryanmichaelwhite

Billy Heckman