Art & Life with Heather Payne

Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Payne.

Heather, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
When I first started painting a few years ago, I had absolutely no clue what I was doing, I just knew I had to paint. I’d found an outlet to help me cope with the emotional pain from divorce I’d been living with for some time. My art makes me happy, it makes me feel strong and talented. It’s really empowering to know I’ve created something I am so proud of! Some of the paintings take me months and months to finish. Actually, if I’m being honest, I don’t feel like any of them are finished but that’s what makes them unique. There’s so much going on and I have so much fun that I could keep going on a single piece pretty much forever!

Can you give our readers some background on your art?
What I create is authentically me. It’s the only time I have no rules. I dive in head first and go for it. When I started, it didn’t matter to me if anyone other than myself liked it, but when the compliments started rolling in, I knew I had to keep going. Knowing other people loved my art motivated me to keep going. Showing others what’s actually going on in your brain through art is beyond intimidating. There’s a vulnerability to being an artist which ironically made me stronger.

I have an obsession with rustic decor, old wood, and anything which looks like it’s probably 100’s of years old but somehow relevant to today. My canvas choices range anywhere from old beach cottage doors to baskets to traditional canvases to crappy demo’d cabinets found abandoned on the side of the road… I even have an old surfboard I can’t wait start! If I can paint it, it’s coming home with me. I use several unique techniques to achieve an aged effect. I try to paint pieces I would want to buy. As much as I love selling the pieces, it’s hard to see them go. Other than my collection of spray cans with various caps for different flows, I use acrylics, oils, sharpies, pastels and even crayons. Each time I start a new piece, I have zero plans as to where I’m going to end up which is how I want it. My art is an adventure. Fun fact : my art looks completely different under blue or black light. I love it!! I want to inspire others to find their way out of pain in a way which is unlike anything else making it exclusive to their circumstances.

Artists rarely, if ever pursue art for the money. Nonetheless, we all have bills and responsibilities and many aspiring artists are discouraged from pursuing art due to financial reasons. Any advice or thoughts you’d like to share with prospective artists?
Do whatever it takes! I started my own side hustle which I am incredibly proud of. Occasionally, I freelance as a makeup artist specifically for women 40 and older. I also started a mobile Spray Tan Business which does very well! I found things I can make money doing which in my head are somehow connected to art. Something else makes me happy. Seeing women feeling good about themselves because of something I said or did. We all struggle with self-esteem – It took everything in me not to criticize the crap out of myself in the pictures I had just taken for this story which happen to look amazing quite honestly. Or when I started sharing my art, the overwhelmingly supportive responses I got inspired me to keep going. Even the negative…

Because I remembered, I was doing it for me. I have this really cool awesomely random support system of friends and family. I’ve learned how important real friends and loved ones are the older I get. When I’m not working with clients, I proudly drive for Uber and Lyft. I’ve met some pretty awesome-good-kind folks doing it. I have a blast. I would clean toilets if I had to… I have plenty of experience, trust me. Look, it’s not easy but it’s all mine and I’m very proud of that. I started over after staying home to raise a family at 43 years old! I was scared. Really scared. Some obstacles you conquer, certain obstacles you don’t. I do know everything that’s happened good or bad comes with wisdom and grace. Everything that happens … good and bad, is a lesson. If I can do it… anyone can do it. Some days I’m so exhausted I want to give up … but I don’t because I can’t. I made it this far, I won’t stop until I see my art in galleries, businesses and homes across the world. Laugh as often as possible. Learn from your mistakes. Be kind.

What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
I share my work on Instagram.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.theglojob.com
• Phone: 6262493396
• Email: theglojob@gmail.com
• Instagram: heatherpayne.creative
• Other: @theglojob

Image Credit:
Shayla Eddins

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