There is a world of dreamscapes and impossible animals. It resides in the imagination of Chatham Artist’s Guild painter, Heather Gerni and visitors to the Chatham Studio Tour can experience this world the first two weekends In December. Heather will exhibit her vibrant acrylic and mixed media paintings, along with two other artists, at the Santosa Healing Arts Studio in Moncure.
“Intuitive Painting is a process that allows each piece of work to naturally unfold and reveal itself to the artist,” Heather explains. “I place less importance on the finished piece and focus more on my own personal creative process that resonates with me.” “The most important thing to me as an artist is to stay true to myself. I do this by embracing vulnerability, trusting myself, and eliminating all external factors and considerations when I’m painting.”
Heather began using the intuitive painting process eight years ago in a class with Flora Bowley, a prominent proponent of the style. Bowley’s motto is “Let go – behold – unfold”. .” This inspiring way of creating art encouraged her to begin teaching Intuitive Painting. She helps and inspires others to find their own artistic voices, passion and confidence through creative exploration and self-discovery. Most of her local workshops are taught at The ArtsCenter in Carrboro, Santosa Healing Arts Studio in Moncure, and the Durham Arts Council; and she paints in her small studio in her home in Pittsboro.
Heather grew up in Harnett County and studied design at UNC. Her development as a creative artist was influenced by classes and workshops such as “fantastical story” painter Jane Filer’s Painting by the Sea and Splash in Elizabeth City. Like many artists, she has day jobs – Administrative Assistant at Pittsboro Presbyterian Church and Curator for the Town of Carrboro. She does some freelance design work as well.
Heather has shown her work at the Orange and Chatham Tours. Her giclée prints sell from $20, and her paintings sell for $100 to $1200.
“My paintings can be whimsical or dark and strange,” she notes. “I hope that people can find their own stories in them.” Visitors to this year’s Tour will undoubtedly have their imaginations tweaked.
