about heather
ARTIST TEACHER MENTOR
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"creating spaces for others
to explore their creative dreams"
Heather was born in Rochester, Victoria, Australia in 1966 and currently lives in the Dandenong Ranges, Victoria. (also lived in Tasmania for 18 years) She is a mother of four boys and has worked in the media and graphic design industry for around twenty-six years, connecting with people from all over the world. Her passion is working with communities, having studied youth and community work, her focus is often in ways that draw others into creative engagement.
She loves drawing and painting large photo realistic images inspired by nature, reflections and water droplets. She is the Managing Director and owner of KAPI ART SPACE, a Studio Gallery in the Dandenong Ranges, Australia, where the mission is to bring individuals and groups fully alive in their creative dreams!
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Her work is a visual diary, reflecting the life and hope that water brings. Heather was a finalist in the Tasmanian Glover Prize in 2013 & a finalist in the Fleurieu Art Prize Adelaide 2013. She held two exhibitions in Tasmania in 2013 and produced a book based on her works. And has been highly commended in art shows around Melbourne.
Heather currently mentors and teaches creative direction through painting and drawing and runs various courses and programs for people and groups who want to explore the heart rhythm of their creative journey.
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She has been a coordinator and manager for many community programs in Australia and overseas including festivals, arts programs, and retreats. Heather also enjoys working with indigenous artists, swimming, walking in the Australian bush, and spending time with her family.
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"I want to take a journey into the small, almost unseen world, that can remind us of the intricate details of a Creator. Real and alive, Creation whispers as loud as we are willing to listen. A miraculous sunrise every day. A shower of rain will leave its glistening trail. Water is not always quiet and peaceful, but there is meaning in each memory. My paintings are big and detailed with water droplets in order to draw me into a closer appreciation of the simple but profound. Each painting is a fresh entry in my visual journal. A glimpse into the present, rippling hope and deep joy through the challenges and delights that life brings."
Summary
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1996 Graduated in Diploma of Graphic Design.
1997-2013 Worked in the Graphic Design industry.
2000-2009 Producer and designer for local Tasmanian newspaper and National youth magazine.
2005 Graduated in Diploma in Youth and Community Work
2007-2013 Production manager & co-ordinator for annual Tasmanian Arts Summer School and Artists retreats.
2002-2010 Coordinator for Pilgrimage to Uluru with Fusion Australia. Worked with Indigenous Artists in Central Australia to produce large artworks for Nation Youth Week with Federal Minister (2017) festivals and programs in Yulara & Mutitjulu NT.
2009 - Production manager of Arafura Games Fusion Festival
2004-2007 Worked in Albania & Greece Producer of creative festivals and activities around the Greece Olympic games.
2012 Began painting professionally
2013 Finalist in the Tasmanian Glove Prize.
2013 Finalist in the Fleurieu Art Prize Adelaide.
2014 People’s choice Launceston Easter Festival Art Show
2015 Highly Commended Great Art Show Berwick
2016 Commissioned for Art Installation at Billanook College, Mooroolbark, Victoria. Began privately teaching painting from new studio Kapi Creative Arts Studio. Exhibited in Five Ways Gallery, Kalorama
2017 Artist in Open Studios, Dandenong Ranges
Exhibition of students work at Five Ways Galleries, Kalorama.
2018 Bought Five Ways Gallery business in Kalorama, Dandenong Ranges renamed it KAPI ART SPACE. Running workshops, classes and exhibiting Artists in the region.
2018 Artist in Open Studios, Dandenong Ranges
2019 Artist in Open Studios, Dandenong Ranges. Working with Local council & Burrinja Cultural Centre to enhance the arts and artists profile and connections in the Dandenong Ranges through local arts related programs and projects.
2019 Camberwell Art Show
2019 Ran an Art Exhibition for women on creativity & mental health ENDURE
2020 Developed Kapi Gallery into a Not for profit business & began teaching online courses & classes also.
2021 Open Studio exhibition highly commended
2020 Ran an Online Art Exhibition ENDURE EMERGE - focusing on creativity and mental health. https://www.kapiartspace.com/endureemergegallery
2021 Open Studio Exhibition 3rd place
Exhibitions
July 2013 Poatina Arts Centre
January 2015 Poatina Tree Gallery
September 2013 Launceston Tram sheds
July 2016 Five Ways Galleries
May 2017 Student Exhibition & Open Studio Exhibition
2018 Open Studio Exhibition
2019 Open Studio Exhibition
2021 Open Studio Exhibition
Publications
2014 Art Edit Magazine full page
2015 The Mirror Newspaper UK Article
2016 Full colour book “Painting its a soul journey’ published
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