The Story Behind The Art

• “She’s A Chain Breaker”

Acrylics on Canvas - My inspiration for this artwork comes from the “Lioness” heart of women and men (it’s non-gender), that will go to all lengths to rescue and save the Children of the World from the bondage and captivity of heartache and pain, suffering through rejection and abandonment, abuse, suicide, self-worthlessness, loneliness, and the list goes on. It speaks of the individuals who step aside and hear the call, the cry of the hearts of children everywhere and take the time to do something about it. This piece has imagery of a chain being snapped - and yet shows the dance of victory in the atmosphere along with it.

• “Return of The Chief”

Mixed-Media on Canvas - “Return of The Chief” comes from the promise that the  rise of the first nations people will come again, but look differently than what we would think or imagine. It comes from a redemptive promise that what was stolen and lost with the first nations peoples will have a healing effect on the land. The Chief’s “headdress” is imagery that when a “crown” is stolen from a Chief - there is One who causes it to be returned and rightful destiny to be restored.

• “Finding A Friend”

Mixed-Media on Canvas - Finding A Friend was quite a long journey for me. I painted this canvas several times and it told me, “you haven’t found me yet.” 

I don’t understand exactly why, but I do believe it’s because of what it was meant to say - meant to represent in the lives of so many, including my own. In early childhood we’re free to run towards friendship, literally, we are fearless in our pursuit for friends - but as we grow older and gather wounds and moments of rejection we learn to guard our hearts, and in a way it is unhealthy and unproductive. We sadly tend to make what should come so sweetly, come with resistance and trepidation. “Finding A Friend” speaks of slowly moving towards building friendship once again, and learning the intrepid heart we once had as a little child.

• “HorsePlay”

Mixed-Media on Canvas - My inspiration for HorsePlay, or let me say titling it “HorsePlay” comes from a friend that my son brought into my studio one afternoon. I had just finished painting this piece when she came in and told me that she saw a horse in the painting. I genuinely thought how fitting it was- because I had been inspired to paint this piece based off of the silliness and fun my husband and our three sons would have wrestling. Over the years they would 

get so irritated with me because, as a mom, I would always get overly nervous that someone was going to end up getting injured! At one point, I don’t remember when” but I finally began to see it as boys will be boys, including my husband. I painted this piece from that heart posture. So, when this young gal came in and said she saw a horse- I knew this title was perfect.

• “Mother - In A World Of Her Own”

Acrylic on Canvas - This piece is not easy to define in words. I painted this from a sound, a frequency, knowing in my spirit that it moved in rhythm with the burden of caring for others. But this burden is not a negative, it is one of deep love that cannot be moved. “Mother” is not just being a literal mother, though that is part of it, but it carries over into many faucets- whether that be mentorship, connection through comforting others, walking two miles in someone’s shoes, carrying day to day responsibilities that will lift the load of your loved ones, and many other rhythms. “Mother” is an expression that only the individual knows personally and intimately.

• “Bubbles Of Laughter”

Mixed-Media on Canvas - Late December of 2024 I was at a prayer gathering. People were taking turns to pray about many different needs - I felt so gripped and prompted by the Holy Spirit to go up to the front of the church and pray for the children. As I began to pray I was overwhelmed by the pain and suffering that was happening around the world to innocent children. It was coming over me again and again like waves of sorrow. But then suddenly as I was praying I began to see and feel these waves turn into, what I can only describe, as these bubble like things, or substance, that was filled with laughter. They were bubbling up with joy. Then, being led by the Father’s heart, I started to declare in my prayers what I was seeing and experiencing. Great joy started to overtake me. I heard the Father say, “I Am going to fill these children with My bubbles of Laughter from Heaven.” After this I heard, “ I Am going to put them in their DNA.”

• “Don’t Stay Silent”

Acrylic on Canvas - There is a God sound woven into the fiber of every human being. A sound that translates into each unique voice of every person that has ever lived. This is your sound to create and be a part of God’s harmonious symphony in the Cosmos. Remaining childlike in our nature and our hearts is truly the path this freedom sound can find its way out of us. Don’t Stay Silent- your sound is fabulous!

• “We Are Kin”

Mixed-Media on Canvas - My inspiration for this piece came from the truth that each family, each tribe, each and every culture needs one another to thrive and live out our potential. There is a phenomena that takes place with certain trees and plants called “ Kin Recognition” - it is where a species or sub-species recognizes their “kin” and in this they will help one another, give space and room for one another to grow, share the nutrients of the soil, the sun, and so forth - so that their kin can be strengthened. Some will even go so far as to “laying down its life” to help another live. Daisies have this kin recognition, and I chose daisies to paint kin recognition, and for their simplicity of beauty and tenderness.

• “Red And Yellow Black And White”

Mixed-Media on Canvas - This piece has a high textured surface on purpose in conjunction to the theme of my artwork -  I wanted to paint the different shades of skin within humanity attached to the diversity of each culture. A culture does not just exist within separate nations or countries, but within each community, each sphere, and even each home. The texture that formed these lines represent our separation because of “culture”, but yet they are so very tight and close because we are more alike and similar than we could ever know. The abstract faces with shapes speak of the fluidity of differences within each community, and how each is loved by God so uniquely and with great intention. I don’t quite understand the sun or the lollipop - I just knew in my heart to put them in this piece.

• “Time Keepers Of Heaven - 2 minutes to 10:00”

Mixed-Media on Canvas - Oh this one speaks so much with so little amount of human words to describe. In this piece I know this: King Solomon in 1 Kings 10 (a type and shadow of King Jesus the Messiah and the Eternal Throne) surrounded his throne with peacocks. Now, through many experiences and prayer and meditation I have come to realize the peacocks “eyes/oceli” of their  feathers keep watch. They keep watch for the “Times” of God. This may sound very far fetched, but God created all things with great purpose and significance. They keep watch not only for the things in Heaven and on earth, but somehow, 

when directed by God, they keep watch and sound off for you and for me- in the sense of appointed and important times in our personal lives. Their time keeping purpose is for union with Heaven, in our lives and for the world. They keep time and watch for the “right time.”

• “Discovery”

Mixed-Media on Canvas - I find myself seeing through lenses of compassion so often in my art, and one of those lenses is that of a person who is looking for home. Looking to be accepted, celebrated, and cherished. This piece speaks of one who is feeling or experiencing being on the “outs”, not knowing where they fit. It is only when they venture out and take a step of bravery do they find their door- an open door for their awaited community.

• “Dancing For Papa”

Mixed-Media on Canvas - Where do I begin with this one - As a child my Papa and Gammy ( I spent much time with my grandparents growing up) would ask me to sing and twirl and dance. My sweet “acts” were the highlight of their day. My Papa would say to me, “Oh Heatho, do it again, do it again!” So once again I would sing and dance for them, so thrilled to see them smiling from ear to ear and laughing with wonder in their eyes. As an adult, over the years I have learned that my Papa wasn’t the only one like this - My Abba in Heaven is also like this, only a million times more. I painted this piece to reflect that heart and that freedom which I believe we all get to enjoy, if we allow ourselves.

• “His Own Personal Marathon”

Acrylic on Canvas -  In this piece I began painting what can only be described as emotion and a sense of feeling what someone would go through pushing onward, pressing forward, to see their dreams and visions become a reality. I felt this piece more than I actually saw it. It was a knowing deep down inside, riddled with twists and turns, difficulties and obstacles, yet with a song of triumphs. I felt as though it was a marathon when I was painting, and this marathon is not finished- but is in the journey of life.

• “Urbs On The End Of My Nose”

Mixed-Media on Canvas -  I painted this piece simply from the truth that my mind is in constant “exploration.” Have you ever heard New York is “the city that never sleeps” - well sometimes as an artist, and I would even say an entrepreneur (I  find both have very similar brains) my mind can be much like a city that never sleeps. There is always creative spark taking place, new imagery forming with  new inspiration all the time. Sometimes it is very deep and felt in my spirit, sometimes it is more surfaced and felt in my finger tips, and then at times it is definite brain activity soaring to different places. But most definitely it is me learning more and more how to get on the inside of what I am sensing or seeing and pushing it out onto the canvas. Urbs (Latin for cities) On The End Of My Nose is a funny but true gesture to the dance in my head.

• “Lollipops In Your DNA”

Mixed-Media on Canvas - My inspiration for this piece came from the ability to dive deep and swim in the world of our DNA. Much like the Dr. Seuss book "Horton Hears A Who!” This artwork explores the wild conversation that is going on in our DNA - but one must have ears a bit like Horton to hear all the lively enterprise happening moment by moment, breath by breath - it is way more ecstatic than we can imagine.

• “DisUnion Mutes”

Acrylic on Canvas - DisUnion Mutes tells a story of the not so beautiful effects of breaking off and isolating oneself from life and community. When I look at the beauty of a bee hive and incredible healing properties that come forth from this miraculous substance called honey- it shines truth on the wonder and power of community, and encourages to form something that lasts. Bees show us this can only be done through unity. The dulling color of the honey in this painting and the surrounding imagery, is what comes to my heart when things begin to crumble or break apart and become disjointed. The color and the essence of life begins to mute and numb. 

• “Is Anybody Listening”

Mixed-Media on Canvas - I have such a heart for the first nations people groups. When I began to paint this piece I found myself leaning into the cry and voice of these peoples, not only at present, but from long ago. It speaks of their distinctive sound, a sound that is so colorful and somehow shows the resilience of the soil of the land. It is this distinction that produces a symphonic mic- but this mic can only be heard by those who have an ear attuned to these colors.

• “Native Wing”

Mixed-Media with sand on Canvas - I painted this piece by going through a season where I learned that there is a frequency that all first nations people groups throughout history have a “tuning ability”, that touches the earth, the soil, and the waters, in a way no else can, or could understand. There is a lone gift 

that resonates on the inside of these people groups - a gift that they may not even understand themselves- but God does.

• “One New Man”

Mixed-Media on Canvas - (This painting is neuter) Jesus came to earth to destroy the great divide through giving His life freely for humanity - to bring down the walls of separation and division. It is by the love of God shown in the giving of His Son Jesus Christ, that from all the tribes of the earth, One New Man is formed having their place of worth in Him. This One New Man holds the scroll of destiny for the New Cosmos. The One New Man is a man of fierce love, in pursuit to see all the families of the earth come to the full knowledge of the Love of God, so that all things are redeemed and made New.

• “Learning To Fish”

Acrylic on Canvas - Growing up with a dad who is an amazing fly fisherman, this artwork comes from a moment of reminiscing I had one afternoon in my studio - I remembered back when my dad took me fly fishing when I was bout 12 years old. I have only one distant and very distinct memory of that particular day- fishing line EVERYWHERE and in EVERYTHING. Thank goodness my dad was patient enough to not pack things up and take me home- but he kept helping me and teaching me to fly fish. This piece began with one fishing line from beginning to end, one continual line - speaking of the ridiculous mess that turned out quite fun, vibrant, and full of laughter with my dad that day many years ago!

• “Flamboyant”

Acrylics on Canvas - This textured large work, done in acrylics only, is the last work I have of my pure abstraction paintings. These pieces came from my love for Gerhard Ritcher’s famous abstracts. My very first painting in this style was that of my own inner expression on the canvas -  but I put it away years ago thinking it was of no attraction or notability. It wasn’t until I came across a piece by Gerhard that genuinely sparked my attention. I began to explore his works and it gave me the confidence to go back to these pure abstractions and give it a go! Each piece sold, and I enjoyed the time I spent painting in this style. Flamboyant is the only remaining one. I kept it on a wall in our home because I am keenly aware of what purples bring to the atmosphere and because I just love it - but now it is time for her to find a new home, to make new memories.

• “Piercing The Light”

Acrylics on Canvas -  Piercing The Light comes from experiences with hummingbirds in my quiet times spent with God. You can learn so much about 

love by studying hummingbirds and the way they live their precious little lives- they are swift, agile, strong and even willing to die for love's sake. It is called the “whistle” or what many call the death dive. There are many terms for it, but first a male soars high towards the light/sun and turns downwards at great and dangerous speeds using their tailfeathers to “sing” or “whistle” in a performance of love for the female. One afternoon while sitting on my deck watching these hummingbirds fly towards the sun a thought came to me that it was “the light” that gives them the courage for love. This piece came from this love inspired!

• “Ellie said, - “That’s God’s Tent”

Mixed-Media on Canvas - I could write a miniature book on this painting - but for the sake of time and simplicity I will tell of its spotlight. It happened at a worship event where I was painting - I was surrounded by little children and each one was asking me all kinds of questions about my colors and what the images were. I had insight into what I was inspired to paint, simply because I was with Jesus in the Spirit prior - but to explain it to the little children I was having a bit of a difficult time to put it into words. Then all of a sudden a little girl named Ellie came up to the canvas and pointed at the center and said, “That’s God’s Tent!” Wow - much to my surprise she had put into three tiny words, but oh so amazing, exactly what God had shown me and put on my heart to paint. Sometimes painting the things of the Spirit and the Heavenlies translates in the natural in ways we really can fully express - we do it by faith and trust in Him, period. No striving- just childlike trust and faith. This little Ellie said it with such tenderness and fully confident, she just knew it, like as if she is often there. If you read about some of the imagery in the Bible concerning God’s Throne (of which came to me as I painted this one step at a time, I mean I did not "consciously" decide what to paint ahead of time but came to my spirit moment by moment) and all the different activities going on at the Throne - you will be able to point out what you are seeing here in correlation to The Thone arena. I personally believe, along with Ellie’s insight, that this painting represents the Throne and yet the Ark of His Presence - the two in One. I know it is only a facet, one of innumerable glimpses.

• “Jesus Likes Animal Crackers Too”

Mixed-Media on Canvas - I painted this piece out of the pure expression and truth that man-made “Religion” has put God in a box. A box of tininess and absolutely boring. Religion has given God such a stern and serious look on His face, when in reality and “seeing God rightly” all we need to do is look into the face of a little child- see their tender joyful expression to get a pure glimpse of 

God! Jesus the Christ is this expression- painting this piece came from the heart of this- the uncomplicated ways of children. The effortless ability to just enjoy without overanalyzing or judging.

• “Bubble-Umbrella For 2”

Mixed-Media on Canvas - This painting is formed from a journey with a best friend. Umbrellas or what was called the parasol in the ancient world, is actually over three thousand years old. However, the bubble umbrella was designed to keep one out of the storms, whether that be wind, rain or hail. It was designed also with the intent to keep two covered from a storm. I, and my dearest friend have both gone through similar sorrows and pain in life, and out of that pain a heart for the family unit to be protected, and worth fighting for, was formed. This painting came from the unique power that “two” are better than one, and can accomplish much, no matter the storms that can come against them.

• “Oh The Overwhelming Love of God”

Acrylic on Canvas -  During deep and holy moments of worship, God “tunes” our hearts to His. One afternoon I was taken back to a time during worship where I was shown a huge “Tuning Fork” that comes down into the hearts of people from the hand of God. However, when I began to paint this piece I was given a greater insight- God’s tuning fork is actually “A Sound”- it is a frequency on the inside of the human heart, and its aim is to attune us to His Love for us- not our love for Him- for out of this, hearing and knowing His love towards us, the abundance of Life flows.

• “The 33rd Company”

Acrylic on Raw Whitewashed Cotton - I must give honor to where honor is due; one afternoon my son shared with me a “term” he made up about the people who give up their lives for others, just like Jesus did when He gave His life for humanity on the cross. He called them “The 33rd”, in reference to Jesus giving His life at 33 years of age. During our conversation I began to see myself painting this Raw work. I did not see this particular painting as you see it, but rather I saw myself being led by The Spirit in painting it. I cannot fully express the details of this piece, it will come one day, or maybe one year at a time. But this I do know- it has to do with seed, the power of seed.

MORE TO COME VERY SOON