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A Life in Portraiture
Heather is a member of the Portrait Society of America.
Her career began as a 14 year old teenager when her raw talent in capturing a great likeness was recognised by President L
B Johnson who requested her portrait of the late J F Kennedy was placed in the National Archives Gallery in Washington.
By the mid 70's Heather began her long affiliation
with the music and entertainments industries. She became Billy Connolly's tour artist for his 'Big Wee Tour' completing
a series of backstage work and commissions for Billy.
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| Billy Connolly - Oil on Canvas |
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| Barbara Striesand - Oil on Canvas |
Heather then worked for concert promoter Harvey
Goldsmith (he who presented Pavaroti in Hyde Park, The Prince's Trust Concerts etc) along with commissions during this period
of and for many famous names including Elton John, Diana Ross, Boy George and - one of her favourite subjects - Barbra Striesand.
Noted Comedians were also very attracted to her
work and commissions were completed of Mike Harding, Leslie Crowther and Gary Wilmot. This was quickly followed by a
commission at Pinewood Film Studios where the Bond films, Star Wars and Death on the Nile were being filmed. Heather
considers herself lucky to have met and completed work of the late Christopher Reeve - at Pinewood filming Superman.
The following week, Heather was completing a large
oil painting of a Russian Hussar on horseback - to raise funds for the 'Riding for the Disabled' charity - the portrait destined
for their tackroom, to be unveiled by the society patron HRH Princess Anne. Such is the diversity within the life of
a portrait painter!
By this time Heather had necessarily
developed a method of working which suited her clients - some wanted work done from personal sittings, whilst others either
did not have the time to sit or considered the process too confrontational or 'embarrassing'. Obviously the more
'famous' a sitter the less time they usually have to spare. The portrait 'Angela's Kaftan' on the home page is an example
of a sitter who was happy to engage in the painting process.
Heather has painted many great musicians, often
onstage and in performance for various record companies. Neil Diamond, Frank Sinatra and Shirley Bassey amongst
many. What followed was a very unusual exhibition, comprising 36 portraits of the great names in the music industry -
a first of its kind. The main theme was the great singer songwriters - a great love of Heathers - Joni Mitchell, Bob
Dylan , Randy Newman, Cat Stevens and many more. Portraits by one artist are rarely the subject of a one woman show.
It proved to be a real showcase. All of the subjects were known names and Heather's ability to capture a true likeness
was truely under a test.
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