All posts tagged: art

Answering your Instagram questions

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I get a lot of questions on my Instagram about my practice. So I thought it may be helpful to both my collectors, aspiring collectors and other artists to share a list of those FAQs. Here we go. Where did you learn to paint? This is one with a bit of a back story, so indulge me for a second! I am self taught. I actually studied Psychology at the University of Exeter because at the age of 18 I didn’t think I could make any money as an artist and had absolutely no idea what career I wanted to follow. I mean how many of us actually do at the age of 18? So anyway off I went to uni to study something I found interesting at A Level but let’s be honest, I had no intention of becoming a Psychologist. Surprise, surprise when I graduated and came back from travelling I was lost. In the first few months/years of trying to find a job I was suited for I floated from office job …

Paint from your head

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When your leggings match your work… Going through a bit of a purple phase over here at the moment 🙋I don’t know what it is about purple, pink and orange together to make a sunset, but I kind of want to live in those colours!! Anyway this piece is straight from my head with no reference photo today. I flit between using reference photos and not, because certain paintings I don’t want the pressure of ‘capturing’ an existing scene, but instead want to share a bit of my mind and my thoughts in the medium of brush strokes and colours 🙏

Find your zing

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I’ll be honest, recently I had started to feel like I had lost my art ‘mojo’. I was painting for the sake of painting, trying my best to produce something that not only I loved, but hopefully others would too. Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoyed my work but something was missing. I wanted that emotional connection back where I could lose myself in a painting and feel what I can only describe as a zing of energy and happiness. Sometimes, because I now make money from my art (for which I am so grateful) I find it difficult to separate the ‘job’ side from the joy side. I put pressure on myself to paint something that will sell, and keep me doing what I love. And that can be emotionally and artistically draining. However I’m happy to say I feel like I got my zing back with this piece. By that I don’t necessarily mean it’s the best work I’ve ever created, but I painted it from my heart, and that’s what matters …

Don’t stop chasing your dreams

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I want my art to convey a feeling, an emotion, because trust me they are filled with it. Ever get that feeling when you’re so lost in the process, that your mind drifts away and your heart starts racing? I don’t really know how to describe what painting does, but it’s the best form of escapism. I want that feeling to transcend to those who look at my work. It’s meant to make you feel like you’re drifting, calm, and peaceful. It’s something to look at in your home when you want quiet reflection, inspiration or a zing of energy. I’ve spent years pouring my heart into my art (rhyme totally unintended), every brush stroke is a step on a journey, a leap of faith. It’s a dedicated and unfailing desire to chase a dream that landed on my shoulders when I was 5 years old, staring up at a painting on a classroom wall. It’s a labour of love, a struggle against fear and doubt, and most of all it’s a passion spurred on …

What is it like being an artist?

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Hello to the new faces around here, and thank you for supporting my work! I’m Emily, and I’m an artist from south Wales  I thought I’d share a few thoughts on being an artist from my own experiences. Pursuing the ‘path’ of being an artist, is a bit of a funny one. Over the years it has brought me joy, fear, pride, shame, certainty and more uncertainty than I thought possible all rolled into one weird little cocktail of determination. We are often discouraged to pursue careers in the arts, because of course nothing is certain, and financial stability does not go hand in hand with being an artist. I cannot guarantee that I will sell X amount in any given month. Many people find this whole aspect of being an artist enough to run for the hills. Sure, it can be stressful, and I will admit that it is a bit of a roller coaster. Some months, your sales are up. Some months they are down. It is the nature of being an artist (and …

Paintings to lift your mood |Emily Louise Heard

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It may be raining here in the UK, but I have some sunlight to bring the summer to your home in the form of original art! I’ve just updated my online shop with some new colourful art, straight off the easel. Head to my store to have a browse. Enjoy! Here’s a snippet of some of the bright works in my collection available for purchase. Did you know that I’m also now on YouTube? Head to my channel to watch insights into my studio, process and being an artist. Much love, Emily x