All posts tagged: interior design

Answering your Instagram questions

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

When your leggings match your work… Going through a bit of a purple phase over here at the moment ๐Ÿ™‹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 ๐Ÿ™

Find your zing

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

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 …

Divergent | Art is a process of discovery

I called this piece Divergent, because the meaning of the word resonated with how I felt when I created it: ‘tending to be different or develop in different directions.‘ This piece was different for me, because as a lover of bright and bold colours, I literally had to restrain my hand from reaching for MORE COLOURS DAMMIT I LOVE THEM ALL!! My initial thoughts were that this was more of an exercise in self control than the creation of something I’d be proud of. I’m pleased to say I surprised myself. I’m not usually one for a subtle colour pallet, instead opting for colours that are bright and ‘happy’. However this piece has taught me that sometimes less is more! I’m actually very pleased with the tranquillity and calm of this painting, which in turn makes me feel happy to look at, and I hope you feel the same. I learn something new with every painting. Art really is a never ending journey of self discovery, and I want to keep on skipping, running, ambling, …

Pastel sky painting by Emily Louise Heard

Life without Social Media

Hello May! Some of you may have read my recent posts on Social Media, letting you know I was taking a short break from the platforms to focus on creativity. I’m thinking more and more that social media, whilst a fantastic platform for creatives, can become a little overwhelming and a bit of a distraction from what really matters. So I’m not sure how long I’ll be away, but I know I definitely need some time off.ย  If you have had similar nagging doubts about Social Media, and it’s impact on your time and energy, I’d love to know. (If you are reading this from Facebook – I’ve got an automatic sharing link set up, I’m not back just yet!) The short time I’ve been away so far has refreshed my mind and given me a whole new sense of focus. Here’s what I’ve been up to … So many new paintings! I’ve had a flurry of creative energy, whilst I have been cleansingย my mind from technology. I’ve added all my new pieces to my …

Paintings to lift your mood |Emily Louise Heard

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 toย 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

What happens when you buy art?

                  ”When you buy something from an artist you are buying more than an object. Youโ€™re buying hundreds of hours of errors and experimentation. Youโ€™re buying years of frustration and moments of pure joy. Youโ€™re not buying just one thing, you are buying a piece of a heart, a piece of a soulโ€ฆ a small piece of someone elseโ€™s life.” -Rebekah Joy Plett