Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Heather Neiman. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Heather thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
My earliest memories of art making are at age 10, although I was well versed in “let’s pretend” way earlier. My mother gave me just about every art medium and tool to create with, and the creative genes I have. She was a piano player, seamstress, gardener, and probably many more things that I never knew-she died when I was 12 at age 37. My sixth grade art teacher taught us how to draw Disney characters, and I was on a path to devour as much art as I could. I took art classes every grade from then on until I exhausted them in 12th grade. Thank goodness I went to school in the 1980’s and funding was not an issue for public schools. I never wanted to go to college, and I didn’t even know about the opportunities to go to art school. I did attend the Fort Lauderdale Art Institute for three months, but commercial art was not for me. Knowing how to “do art” as a career eluded me, so at aged 18 I went full-time for Publix Super Markets, Inc. I did get to create art for product contests and displays and my self learning continued. I started dabbling in window painting and after painting for a few stores, I ventured out into the “real world” to paint other businesses. After the birth of my second child, I decided to retire from Publix after almost 17 years. I jumped started my window painting business in 1997 and it has provided a part-time income ever since. Painting in public opened even more commission work besides windows; from personalized baby books, murals, and furniture. In 2015 I started finding my voice on canvas with painting and various mixed media. Selling my first piece gave me a joy that filled me with such confirmation of my creative calling. Continuing to sell, I knew that painting what my spirit led was my path.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
“When did you know you where artist?” “How long have you been painting?” Some version of these questions are often asked of me. I was born this way! As a trauma survivor, I’ve done a lot of healing. It is very courageous to realize you need help and ask for it. Journaling is a way of safely expressing your thoughts and feelings without judgement and I started this practice in about 2016. Not only did I express some really deep thoughts, I painted, colored, and drew over them. As I started doing this I would add more words asking myself questions, my truths, or affirmations. When I started expressing from my spirit instead of my head on canvas the emotions and energy followed. I create work that invites a viewer in, usually someone embarking on a spiritual or emotional quest, in the midst of, or has come through a difficult time. My paintings have a force that unknowingly draws the viewer in. It is not unusual for people to become overcome with emotion and even cry. To have this ability is humbling and asks me to stay vulnerable and create honest art.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
In my view, society needs to realize the world needs creatives. When your art is considered a luxury and you are never guaranteed sales, we need cheap rent. Cities, developers and corporations need to stop taking over areas that artists have brought to life. We (the creatives) go to areas that are inexpensive which is usually a depressed section of town, and when we bring vitality and community engagement, some see dollar signs and we, and surrounding neighborhoods, fall prey to gentrification. As a resident of south Florida the fact that artists are being driven out then “provided” with new spaces at much higher rent is the norm. In my view, artists must stop doing things for free. There are many ways to be compensated, but exposure does not pay bills. It’s time for our local politicians to help protect artist havens. Preserve what made the area great in the first place. Let’s find a way to incorporate art and artists without it being at the creators expense.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
One of the most rewarding aspects of being an artist is the interaction with people. To engage with another over my process, to hear their story and the connection to a particular work, witnessing their reactions is like being a rock star! Or at least what I imagine a rock star might feel. An equal reward and one that keeps me painting is for someone to invest their hard earned money into purchasing work from me.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.heatherneimanart.com
- Instagram: @heatherneimanart
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/heatherneimanart
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCXlJ6wxvnMQO3Uu43VAg9gw
- Other: [email protected]