Heather Hill

For Heather Hill, art has meant sustenance. Her creativity has been a means of growth and wellness. “I grew up on a farm in Bowling Green, Ohio,” she says. “ I have always loved art.” Before graduating from Capital University in Columbus with a political science degree, Heather had been enrolled as an art major at Bowling Green State University. “I always knew I wanted to pursue art, but I felt there were more career choices with political science,” she says. After marrying her husband, Jason in 2005 and having their daughter, Olivia in 2006, Heather’s life changed drastically and for the better. “We have moved nine times to seven different states for my husband’s job,” she says. While living in Alabama, Heather and Jason welcomed their son, Jason Parker into the world. Spending a majority of those years as a stay at home mom, Heather filled her time working remotely as a paralegal and honing her art skills. “Working from home made more sense with the constant moves,” she says. “Simultaneously, there were opportunities for me to really dig into my creative abilities.” In a serendipitous moment, Heather’s artistry soared to new heights. “My daughter, Olivia, had received a watercolor kit as a gift and I had the opportunity to show her how to use it,” she says. Heather then began painting with watercolors on greeting cards and selling her art at shows. “When we were living in North Carolina, I began selling my work outright and found shops that would sell my pieces on consignment,” she says. The Hills’ move to Florida brought Heather an enhanced sense of confidence. “At the time, I had close to ten locations selling my cards and paintings,” she says. Continuing to extend her creative presence, Heather has imparted her artistic devotion to her son. “Jason Parker loves to sketch and color,” she says. “He goes to galleries with me and we volunteer at events for the elderly. He is helpful and compassionate, always connecting with the patients and conveying words of encouragement.” Heather even left her mark on Europe two years ago during a school trip with her daughter. “Everywhere I went, I painted something small that was relative to the area,” she says. “I would pin it to a menu or a flyer and leave it for others. People would take photos and leave them for the next person to enjoy.” Today, Heather is laser focused on her specific style and niche. “I like to paint smaller pieces,” she says. “Greeting cards and mini art are perfect because, while they are heartfelt and original, I can create them in a short amount of time and people always have a use for them.” A member of High Tide Gallery for the past year, Heather has painted in the courtyard for patrons and has her cards displayed in the gallery with other original items like bookmarks and mini art canvases. “I don’t reproduce any of my art,” says Heather. “It is all original and I stamp the back of each piece.” She is also a member of the Jacksonville and Florida Watercolor Societies. “I love knowing that people purchase my art and give it away to spread joy,” she says. “My goal is to continue creating and conveying more love to the world.”