Artists

A Day With Heather Blanton

This interview features as the first in our new series – A Day With.

Step into Florida-born Heather Blanton’s studio and discover her creative process – including her morning routine, studio rituals and strategies to unwind after a fruitful day’s work. With a unique style and precise hand, Blanton creates intriguing representations of sport and movement with a strong aesthetic signature. Let’s see how she does it…

Good morning, Heather! What’s the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?

Every morning, I try to do a silent meditation for 25 minutes.

What inspires you to create every day?

Otherthan paying my bills, I have a need to paint. When I take days off for doing office work, I deeply miss the creative time.

What does your work space look like?

I have a space in my house where I paint – an old patio that got shut in and has north and south-facing windows, bringing in lovely light.

Heather Blanton in her studio.

Do you have any studio rituals ?

I love to listen to classical music or Italian opera. I don’t like hearing music with words I understand because then I get caught up thinking about the lyrics.I also pray a lot and take frequent meditation and visualization breaks. Then, while I’m waiting for layers to dry, I watch inspiring movies based on true stories.

Describe the core of your technique or style.

My style is a blend of Minimalism, Impressionism and Pop Art. I didn’t study painting in school, so I’ve been told my work really doesn’t look like anyone else’s.

How do you know or decide when an artwork is finished?

I feel a tightness in my chest when I look at a piece and it isn’t right; I hear a kind of singing in my heart when I know it’s done.

Painting by Heather Blanton; ‘Swimmers Abstract’ 2018, 91x122cm, Acrylic on Canvas.

What is it about sport that interests you?

Sport is a phenomenal thing to me. It brings people together, inspires greatness, community, excellence… Very few things in life have the kind of effect on humanity that sports do. For the participants, it makes us go beyond ourselves to try harder, push ourselves to our limits, and for the viewer it brings happiness, hope and sometimes heartbreak.

What do you like to do to unwind after a day’s work?

I read a lot, watch movies, and try to balance my solitary studio life with socializing outside of the house at least a few times a week.

Before we say goodbye, what’s your overall favorite aspect of the creative process?

There’s a connection to the divine in the creative process. I love it when it all flows together and wonderful, magical things start happening – unplanned mysteries, creativity channeled to me…

Painting by Heather Blanton; ‘Colorful Skiers’ 2017, 91x91cm, Acrylic on Canvas.

Discover all of Blanton’s works here!

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