Heather Heitzenrater: Hauntingly Beautiful Portraiture
Pittsburgh-based artist Heather Heitzenrater is known for her incredibly detailed figurative paintings, often depicting the human figure in a sea of mylar. When Heather isn’t in the studio, she can be found watching science fiction movies or working as a scenic artist at a local haunted house. In this interview, Heather shares her journey and process with us.
How did your creative journey begin?
I was always a creative as a kid. When I wasn’t playing with Barbies, I was making something or drawing. Art was my favorite subject in school. As I got older, my mom signed me up for extra art classes on the weekends. I loved them! It was a no brainer for me to go to art school when it was time to go to college. I ended up going to Edinboro University of Pennsylvania where I majored in painting and drawing.
Where do you find inspiration for your work?
Anything shiny! I love to do paintings of reflective mylar. I am always looking to see how others are using it in art and fashion. I also am a scenic artist at a haunted house here in Pittsburgh. I always get a ton of ideas from there and always wonder how I can incorporate the sets into one of my paintings. I also, read and watch a ton of science fiction movies.
How has your work shifted and evolved over time?
When I first went to art school, I really wanted to do pen and ink illustrations for books and album artwork. As soon as I took a painting class, I fell in love with oil paint. It was tricky at first, but I loved the colors and how it felt to push paint around.
Even though I have been working within the same series for a while now, I feel my work has more depth and tells more of a story.
What does a typical day in the studio look like for you, and how has your art practice grown or changed?
I work half of the year at the haunted house. So, in the summer and fall I don’t get a lot of work in the studio. I am busy making the haunt look grimy, gross, and trippy. In the winter and spring, I am a full-time artist in my studio. Last winter was the first time that I made the leap and lived off my paintings. It was such a fabulous feeling! I usually get into the studio around 1pm and work until 6pm. I usually start my studio practice by prepping wooden panels and doing any light cleaning. I might also varnish or wire a painting as well. The rest of the time I am painting. I also switch between listening to music, podcasts, and audio books while I work.
Which experiences have impacted your work as an artist?
Working in a haunted house. I feel like I learn so many different painting techniques there. They always sneak their way back into my own work. I love merging my scenic work into my paintings.
How has Instagram impacted your art career?
So much! I make most of my sales through Instagram! It’s bonkers to me that people will buy artwork that they have never seen in person before. It’s so great to be able to share my work that people can see all over the world. I don’t even have to leave my house!
What are your future goals and aspirations?
I would really love to be featured on a podcast and do album artwork for my favorite singers. I also just want to keep making a living off my paintings. It’s such a good feeling to make a living on doing what you love to do! One day I would love to be a part of Ashley Longshore’s collection!
Website: www.heatherheitzenrater.com
Instagram: @heather_heitzenrater