We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Heidi Zin. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Heidi below.

Heidi, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I came in on the planet knowing and exhibiting an aptitude for the visual arts. I was always tuned into patterns in nature, shadow and light and texture. I had a love for nature, collecting bones, feathers, sea shells and the like, and then sitting down to draw them. I had two favorite artists at the time Georgia O’Keeffe and Salvador Dali. My talent was noticed by peers and teachers. Towards high school I became more involved in stream of consciousness drawing. Here I would turn off the judging part of the mind and just start channeling with pen and paper. Then be amazed at what was presented before me.
I was allowed special privileges in the studios at school, staying there till late in the night. This was my special place of joy. I knew I wanted to go to art college from an early age and I did. I continued to create images throughout my years even when I had the odd jobs. My mind is always thinking about the next creative project. I have an affinity for art materials and what I can create with them.

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

I love my imagination. I create my own images. I am my brand. I am most proud of the fact that I never veered from that. I wanted to remain true to my own unique vision. I have created works for others yet I find the greatest inner satisfaction from creating and seeing my own unique vision like many of the greats. That is a great turn on for me. I love what I create.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

In 2011 I was flipped from a 6′ cliff landing on boulders, head first. I sustained several injuries leaving me unable to use my arms, nor move my neck much without pain. I could not raise my arms above my head or grasp a paint brush. I went on a long healing journey. I had to learn to heal myself. Doctors did not understand my need to create the way I did. After several years of depression and frustration … I heard to paint in a different way. Mad and frustrated, I went into my studio and threw cardboard onto the floor. I put acrylic paint on the cardboard and began smearing and pounding the paint onto the substrate with my bare feet. I found it was as exciting for me to create using my actual feet as much as my hands. This realization propelled me further and gave me life and purpose again. With excitement, I began to paint daily with my feet. I loved the feeling of creating. I got better and better at it. I followed an inner voice. This voice revealed a story of healing images, that became a story of light and healing. Excited I moved onto landscapes, still painting with my feet. Healing began happening. I met a doctor whose mother was an artist. He understood. He performed two surgeries on my arms for the nerve damage. Slowly I was able to loosely hold a pencil with my hand and began to scratch, making marks on the surface. I kept at it. Tracing my body and then drawing images of healing nature within me. This was very exciting, new and alive. I discovered I have amazing resilience.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

To know myself and spirit better. To be the best artist I can be in developing my particular craft. Authenticity is important. Understanding the images and feelings inside of me . I create them for the world and I want to share them. I feel they may have relevance for others and just maybe point a way for other seekers. This is my unique precious life and I desire to create images. I am an image maker.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://zinart.com
• Instagram: heidi_zin
• Facebook: heidizin
• Other: I do not do a lot of social media as I find it distracting

Image Credits

portrait/ Mary Tingaud
images/ Tony Mastres
copyright/ Heidi Zin