Visual Language Magazine Contemporary Fine Art Vol 2 No 9 September 2013

artspan
Where did you study art Though I have no Art degree, I’ve gathered education from
a number of sources. I went to the University of California, Santa Cruz as an Art major
and came out with a BA in Biology instead. The art program was a little creepy for a 17
year old kid away from home for the first time. The few classes I took involved a lot of
nude models - picture not-so-pretty hippies and homeless people, if you’ve ever been to
Santa Cruz you know what I mean! I did find some graduate courses in Science Illustration
that they let me take as an undergrad and it was here that I really learned interesting
techniques like scratchboard, carbon dust on cronaflex and stipple. These courses taught
attention to detail, following fur patterns, muscle structure, skeletal structure down to the
tiniest biological detail and it seemed to fit in with my degree. Over the years I’ve just practiced
my art and never shied away from new things. I’m a bit of a hoarder when it comes
to art supplies, well who am I kidding - I’m really one major tragedy away from being on the
show but I have a very supportive husband that keeps me reigned in and organized.
If I read about a new art technique or medium I have to go out and buy ALL the supplies
for it and try it, I teach myself through trial and error. Sculpture, woodworking, stained
glass, pastels, you name it I have it in my over packed studio and I love it all. I read
every art magazine I can get my hands on and I ask a lot of questions from artists that
inspire me, some have ignored me but others have been an invaluable part of my
education, it never hurts to ask but it can really pay off.
How would you describe your style Obsessive compulsive neurotically focused on
detail. I’ve tried to lighten up, loosen up, let go and sketch out something free and quick
but I always end up going back in again and again until its hours later and looking like a
photograph. I have great respect for artists who can take a subject and create something
artistic and interesting from it and yet looks nothing like real life. I just draw what I see.
What is the one thing most people don’t know about you Everybody knows
everything about me - I’m a consummate over-sharer. OK ... dolls and clowns
freak me out.
Why do you paint animals I’ve always loved animals since I can remember.
Anything-creepy crawly, scurrying, running or slithering I liked to pick it up and play with
it. My sister received a “How to Draw Animals” book when we were in grade school and
somehow it ended up in my room and I copied every page. I loved it! I did my first solo
art show in the library of Kelly Lane Elementary school (all of my pictures were done with
crayon) and I’ve been drawing ever since. I’m the kind of artist that really has to connect
with my subject - it can’t just be a picture in book for me. When I travel I try to visit a zoo or
animal sanctuary in whatever city or country I’m in and I spend a lot of time photographing
particular animals that I make a connection with. I contact the animal keepers where I can
and get the background story for the animal and I feel like it helps me get that extra little
bit of inspiration I need. If I do a pet portrait -which is rare - I like to meet the animal and
take my own photos if possible. I’ve learned from experience what I need to do to create a
magical piece of art, it’s not always possible of course but every once in a while the stars
align and you even surprise yourself.
HeatherLara.com
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