We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Heather Schroeder a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Heather thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
Within my art, a mission of mine is to show others that visual expression can be used as a tool for rehabilitation and processing of personal traumas. In 2014 my father passed away from organ failure caused by his alcoholism. Through visual art, I have been able to process not only his death, but many experiences that were directly connected with the addiction that was present in my childhood home. Through my processes of making, I am reiterating the importance of reclaiming healthy repetition for myself after growing up in a home where it was seen in direct correlation with addiction. While I did not have a choice in receiving this trauma, I do have a choice in healing it. The intention of my work is to show how powerful art can be in healing not only oneself, but the community around it. My hope is to inspire, uplift, educate, and spark change around the complex nature of addiction, loss, and personal healing.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am a multi-media artist who works in both textiles and ceramics with a throughline of illustration. As a way to connect with my family’s past, much of my work utilizes old family photos as a frame of reference to work from. To connect with myself, I often reference entries from my journals and or sketchbooks. I believe that different media carry different emotions, and therefore my work leans into the nature of the material I am using. For example, my textile illustrations often look at younger versions of myself. The softness of the material gives comfort and warmth to the child version of me. When looking at family, or current lessons from therapy, I tend to lean towards ceramics. It is stable and strong. Stability was not at the forefront of my childhood, but therapy has given me the strength to find it in adulthood. Much of the work I make is intended for gallery viewing as it is ceramics vessels or textile wall hangings. However, one of the things I love to make are mugs which carry messages and lessons from therapy such as, “Grief looks different for everyone” or “Relationships Change”, reminders to be gentle and kind with oneself.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
A lesson I had to unlearn was in the idea of perfection. For years the idea of perfection stopped me from fully expressing myself due to the fear of making mistakes. By allowing myself to make mistakes and let to of perfection, I have been able to find my voice in wonky hands, loose lines, and paint that bleeds outside the lines. Within imperfection, my voice feels stronger and truer to myself. I had to let go of the expectations that I put on myself from others, and do what made me happy and what brought me the most joy and peace.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
One of the main goals I have within my art is to just bring awareness to mental health. I want others to know that healing is possible, even after years of trauma, neglect, abuse etc. I feel that it is important to be vulnerable in the ways that feel safe for oneself, and I hope others can see that that vulnerability can bring community and connection.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.missheatherart.com
- Instagram: missheatherart
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/missheatherart
