Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Eck.
Hi Heather, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’m currently in the sophomore year of my business. I left the corporate world back in September 2019 (just a few months before the world shut down due to Covid-19) and struck out on my own as a full-time working artist. Prior to establishing my own business, I was an HR manager for an amazing video game company. When I was little, I was always attracted to creative outlets – I think we all are as children – but over time, I sort of started to move in the direction of interests that I felt would yield a steady paycheck. I remember wanting to be an artist or musician or any career that had a creative, exciting, entrepreneurial spirit. I studied HR in college, but I minored in Art – so art was always sort of hanging out in the background. I was about two years into a new job where I was doing work that was important but just didn’t feel especially meaningful to me. I was becoming a grouchy person and I didn’t understand why I wasn’t feeling fulfilled or happy.
I met with a Spiritual Teacher, Myrna Deas, who I trust and respect and love – and she reminded me that creative expression was my primary gift. When I look back on my life, I can see that it was always sort of patiently waiting there for me – and I had turned my face from it in the pursuit of the paycheck. I began painting that same day. These opportunities started showing up for me to show my artwork and sell my artwork and while the paycheck didn’t match what I was earning in corporate, it was enough to give me faith that perhaps there was something to this art thing. About three years later, I started to think about leaving my job to pursue artwork full time. It had become all-consuming and too important for me to not at least try to make it work. And today, here I am in year two of my business – and sure, it’s been great and it’s been rough but above all, it’s been freeing to explore what makes me really happy and to tend to myself and my spirit through my work. I’m super grateful for that.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I think that the primary reason this has been a somewhat smooth transition is that I spent close to 17 years in the corporate world before striking out on my own. Had I not been through Management Development Programs or gone through marketing, business development, human resources, training & coaching, etc., I’d be a little lost. It’s one thing to be an artist, but it’s another thing to be a business owner. They don’t often go hand in hand and I’ve had to teach myself things along the way. It’s not perfect, but what business is. I’m grateful that I have gotten to make mistakes and learn from them. I’m someone who likes to fail fast – so I say ship it – correct it – ship it again. Better than sitting still and not doing anything, right?
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m an abstract artist – and I primarily work in acrylics & canvas. I’m inspired by color – and the way that color influences us in ways that we’re not even aware of. I believe that color speaks to us in a way that words cannot – what I mean by that is that we wear color for ourselves each day and the colors all have a deeper, more spiritual meaning. When I create a painting for someone, it is specifically created for them and their color energy. By that, I mean that I associate color with the Chakra system so if I paint for you and I use the color green, it is because that color is associated with the heart chakra, so there is some aspect of your heart that needs tending to. It needs healing, support, and balance. It’s a beautiful and wonderful way to support yourself and your home because that color is healing to you. Wearing or surrounding yourself with that color will help elevate your energy, your spirit, and your life. I’m known for large, colorful abstract pieces but my favorite way to express my work is through commissions for homes and offices. Given the freedom to intuit the colors for a client is a beautiful and healing tribute to the human spirit and the energy they exude. When I create a custom piece, I produce a video that walks them through the process of how the painting was made, the color meaning, the energy of the piece, and the overall messages that came through while I was creating it. It’s a special and unique gift.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
This question makes me laugh because until I returned to Art, I was seeking certificate after certification – I was seeking anything that made me feel validated and seen because I wasn’t doing the work that I wanted to be doing and be seen as doing. As a result, I have a series of letters I can display after my name. LOL. I am certified in Myers Briggs, Emotional Intelligence Assessments, Coaching, even Pilates. Each week before I rediscovered my love for art was like ‘spin the wheel’ of career opportunities. It was so constant – Godbless my husband and family for putting up with me while I did all that searching!
Contact Info:
- Email: info@heathereck.com
- Website: www.heathereck.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/heathereckartist
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heathereckartist
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9uz5oq4s88T-GeYBMrEh4w
Image Credits
Traci Huffman Photography
