We recently connected with Heather Arenas and have shared our conversation below.
Heather, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
When I was very young, I wanted to be an artist as many children do but it wasn’t because my parents always hung my drawings on the refrigerator. I would notice things that others didn’t and include them in my drawings. I added details like the 5th pocket on jeans or the way someone’s shoe laces were tied and lay across their shoe. My family was fairly poor so my father encouraged me to do something for a living that was more lucrative than being an artist. I had an affinity for science so medicine seemed the ‘obvious’ choice. Luckily I realized in the first year of medical school that it was not the right decision. I loved anatomy and the human body but not the other aspects of a career in medicine. I spent several years in different careers including IT and alpaca ranching in an effort to earn a living but I thrived the most when I was painting.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Back in 2005, I started my art career in Colorado, spending years painting from life – both with models and outdoors. Now, I’m based in Florida, focusing on creating oil paintings with strong conceptual underpinnings. My style is pretty distinctive: high contrast, lots of grays, and bold brushstrokes that grab your attention from across the room. It’s a blend of realism and impressionism, aiming to tell stories and evoke emotions.
When I first started selling, I was painting the usual stuff – landscapes, still lifes, portraits. But honestly, there are tons of other artists doing the same. My career really took off when I started breaking away from reality, painting scenes that tell stories, often with figures. I work until the painting captures the exact feeling I want to convey. I’m not into realism these days. I use gesture and composition to make people really think about what they’re seeing.
So, what need do I fill? I offer collectors unique, emotionally resonant paintings that go beyond mere representation. My work is not just a pretty picture; it’s a story, an experience, and an invitation to contemplation.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of my artistic journey is when I embrace an experimental technique, something I might initially consider ‘out there’ and a bit risky. I pour my heart and soul into the piece, striving to create something truly authentic and emotionally resonant. Then, to receive feedback from collectors, to hear that they deeply connect with the work, and ultimately, to see it find a loving home – that’s an incredible feeling. It’s like I’ve opened a window into my soul, and someone out there truly understands my voice, my vision, and the emotions I’ve poured onto the canvas.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
There are a few things that keep me going as an artist. It’s definitely motivating when an experimental piece sells – it feels like a green light to explore that idea even further. I’m working to develop a style that’s all my own, something people instantly recognize as my work. And of course, it would be amazing to leave a legacy, to see my work in major collections someday. That’s a big goal, but even without all that, I find so much fulfillment in the act of creating. I live my life to the fullest, knowing I’m always trying to express myself authentically through my art.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.heatherarenas.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heatherarenas/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeatherArenasfineart
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatherarenas/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@HeatherArenas
