HEIDI LEE WARTA.
Art has always been a passion for local artist, Heidi. Heidi’s work has derived from a variety of mediums over the years ranging from paints, inks, dyes and resins to found objects. Her most recent exhibition, Ochre Women features portraits of ten First Nations women who are affiliated with the Northern Beaches. Heidi also showcased her beautiful eco-dyed scarves.
MY SIGNATURE STYLE
I have many different styles; I practise in different mediums from quick café sketching in ink to watercolour drawings to pastel portrait paintings. I like to work loosely; some artwork calls for bright colours and some styles are natural themes. I like to learn new ways to create art and once I get bored, my creations usually morph into another art form. It depends on what inspires me at the time.
ART CHOSE ME
Art chose me, I felt like I had no choice. I have a constant urge inside to create and I enjoy turning my ideas into reality.
TELL US ABOUT OCHRE WOMEN
I chose to draw ten portraits of First Nations women on the Northern Beaches (Gaimariagal country). I had the pleasure of spending time with these lovely women and learning along the way. There are often things to be learnt by interacting with others and listening to their stories and connection to different cultures.
I wanted to share with the community my drawn portraits of these awesome women and I hoped the exhibition would serve as a connection in creating better community cohesion and visibility of First Nations women living locally.
This exhibition was the first of its kind, especially in our area and I am very proud of this achievement. Over four hundred people came to the ‘Ochre Woman’ exhibition and that was the same week that the Northern Beaches was declared a natural disaster zone!! I also think this is an accomplishment within itself.
WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND?
I have always been an artist. Art was my favourite subject at school, and I would sit in my bedroom and draw and paint for as long as I can remember. It was an escape and a calling.
I studied Graphic Design at the TAFE in Randwick back when everything was manual. It was long before computer graphics came into play. There was a period during my twenties when I didn’t do a lot of art and it wasn’t good for my soul.
I had a profound dream of a woman when I was pregnant with my first son. I kept dreaming of her and I asked my late mum to buy me some oil paints and a canvas for my upcoming 32nd birthday. I painted the woman in my dream, and I haven’t stopped painting since.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST?
I love many things about creating art, mainly because my spirit is happy and feels nurtured when I am making ‘art from the heart.’ It’s cliché I know, but that’s just how it is. I have learnt to trust in the process of my art practice and know that I am being looked after.
WHAT IS THE MOST DIFFICULT PART?
I’d say discipline and money and sometimes being on my own too much as there is a point where solitude becomes isolating for me.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
I am inspired by the qualities and strengths I see in people. My most recent art exhibition was inspired by some of the First Nations women who live in the Northern Beaches.
I get my inspiration from everywhere, from life in general to all the wonderful and tragic places, people and feelings that surround me.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR PROCESS
Most processes take time and research which needs to be honoured and patience is often required. I have learned to take my time with this. Time to marinate ideas and jot down current inspirations. There is a gathering phase and a preparation process. Sometimes a few testers and then mostly the final piece will be created. I very rarely create a piece of art without thinking about it unless it’s a café or travel sketch.
I practice in many different mediums from quick café sketching to ink and watercolour drawings and then my recent pastel portrait paintings. I also make eco-dyed scarves, resin bracelets, huge resin artwork, and my wax and acrylic paintings!!
PROUDEST MOMENT
My most recent and successful exhibition ‘Ochre Women’ that was held at the Curl Curl Creative Space in 2022.
Also becoming one of the Kennedy Prize 2022 finalists.
Being asked to display and sell my art wares in the Manly Art Gallery and Museum boutique.
I am also proud of donating eighteen weeks of my time to the YPAC disabled orphanage in Bali. This project evolved into an art show with ten large pieces of art that I created with the children and all the money raised helped build the school room and buy computers. This was an epic evolution in my philanthropic mindset. It feels amazing to do good things for people and bring them together and if my art can do this, then I’m winning.
wHAT’S NEXT?
I have some plans for my next exhibition. I feel it will focus on nature although nothing is set in stone. I will do more of the same; live, love, laugh, connect, share and repeat.
Contact Heidi at www.heidileewarta.com or @heidileewarta
25% of all sales of original portraits are donated to The Gunyadu First Nations Aboriginal Women’s Corporation.
A selection of Heidi’s handmade bangles, eco-dyed journals and scarves are for sale at the Manly Art Gallery.