|
The work of painter Heather Haynes has been described as everything from dramatic or chaotic to unexplainably beautiful. For Haynes, however, there are no words or formulas. As she states, “I try not to think when I’m painting.” Rather she can be seen continuing
the expressionistic tradition of being engaged in the act of painting. Haynes declares, “I try to give up in the moment. That brush stroke was destined to be there, and that brush stroke was destined to be covered up, and that little bit of red that sticks out of there was meant to be there.”
It is precisely this inability to analyze her work shows the beauty of it. Her paintings of abstracted landscapes take from the natural world and are filtered through her artistic vision. The resulting images are not only sublime but transcend our everyday world and lie somewhere between the realm of the real and the imagination. The fields and tress exist on the outside in a mysterious landscape. A place the viewer is invited to journey into. Her use of lace imagery adds an interior element, reminiscent of old curtains and wallpaper. The subtle writing adds another deep interior dimension, quoting her grandfather, urging her to believe in her dreams. |
Heather has long turned to art for comfort. As a child a visual disorder impaired her reading and schoolwork suffered. Surprisingly Haynes excelled in art class and the subject became her heartfelt focus. Her parents were supportive of her love of art and after high school she enrolled in the visual arts program at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario.
Her first shows were bi-annual exhibitions out of her studio. These were met with great enthusiasm by local collectors and the young artist soon developed an ardent following. Before long she was showing in galleries in nearby Kingston and in Toronto. In addition to fine art, Haynes has also illustrated and co-published Joanne Langlois’ “Bethie’s Got the Blues” (2002) and “I’m a Great Me!, Another Bethie Adventure” (2003). In 2004 Heather Haynes illustrations for “I’m a Great Me!” were nominated for the prestigious Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon award, which recognizes outstanding contribution in Canadian children’s book.
After 11 years as a full-time professional artist Heather Haynes has established a growing following of collectors who seek out her original works. Recently she has been gaining international attention. She has been featured in a number of galleries through out Canada, Britain and the United States and her works can be found in many private and corporate collections.
|
