Hello, Pink Lady!

Hello lovelies, thanks for stopping by. Today,I’m pleased as punch to introduce you all to Heather Williams a Canadian artist, jewellery designer and the gracious sponsor of this week’s giveaway on Miles Of Style.

Meet Heather:

* Hello Heather, can you tell the readers a bit about yourself and your art?

Hello readers! I am an artist and designer. I’ve always been interested in fashion especially fashion illustrations. My artwork has grown over the past year and I feel like I am finally doing something I love.

Currently, I have a studio space in Gemini Boutique, Ontario where I create my paintings and design my jewelry. It has been an amazing experience so far and I am thankful for being able to do something I love and be surrounded by people that are very influential to me and my work.

*  You are such a talented lady! Is it something that comes naturally or have you studied art?

Thank-you, I really appreciate that :)

Art has been my passion since I was a little girl. My grandfather was an artist and I think I was so intrigued by his creativity that I wanted to do something just as amazing for people to see.

When I started to draw people it was also pretty easy for me – right then I knew I was born with his gift. I took painting lessons when I was 13 which taught me a lot. In high school I took art all the way through and definitely knew at that point that I wanted to continue with my artistic ventures and would only truly be happy doing that. I went to York University in Toronto, Ontario Canada for Visual Arts and majored in painting and photography.  I also started my very own jewelry line in my initial years of college.

* As far as paintings and illustrations go, what catches your eye the most?

I am extremely inspired by colors – sometimes certain color combinations can inspire a whole piece for me. Fashion photography and jewelry are definitely inspirations and I think that it shows in a lot of my paintings that I am a jewelry designer. I also love to take certain elements and qualities from vintage pin-up girls for some of my women.

My favorite artists are Mark Ryden and Melanie Authier.

* Your ongoing series of paintings ‘The Girls’ is absolutely feminine, sassy and fabulous. What inspired you to create this collection?

My inspiration for ‘The Girls’ series came from my love of drawing and painting women. I feel that I have a connection with each and everyone that I have painted. They are every bit a part of me as I am of them. I have always loved glamorous and feminine portrayals of women whether it is visual or written so I felt that I had to create a series of women to satisfy myself as an artist and a woman. I also wanted other female viewers to be able to identify with them. I have had a lot of people comment on how much one of my girls looks like someone they know – that just amazes me.

(A few prints from The Girls Series. To view the entire series visit Heather’s Etsy Shop)

* What motivates you? Do you have any online sources of inspiration that you frequent often?

Since I have had my studio space I have been constantly motivated to keep creating the types of feminine paintings I have been doing. The people around me there and other artists are super supportive. At art shows I am constantly told that they haven’t seen anything like what I am doing and feel a sense of happiness and joy when looking at my work – and that is what really keeps me going!

I love to read fashion, décor and art blogs for inspiration (especially yours, hah). I look at a lot of floral fabrics and vintage textiles to create some of my abstract paintings as well as outfits on my girls or their surroundings. Magazines and fashion photography are also a source of insight for me. If I like a pose or certain facial expression in a photograph sometimes I will use that in my paintings. I will also take a lot from clothing and colors in magazines.

* Do you have any guilty pleasures / indulgences?

I would have to say chocolate. Late at night when I am reading before bed I love to indulge in something sweet.

* Any favorite quote or words that you live by?

Actually, I have two! …

“My dream was to be an artist, one who makes pictures for a lifetime, as a way of life. Every day of your life you can create something wonderful, so every day is going to be the same kind of wonderful day that every other day is – a day in which you discover something new because you are painting or creating whatever it is you are creating, you are finding new ways in doing it.”-Faith Ringgold

“In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous”- Aristotle

Both quotes are kept on a board in my studio that I look at every morning along with a fortune cookie fortune: “Your efforts will be rewarded” haha

* Thank you for sponsoring a Pink Lady print as a giveaway on Miles Of Style. I’m almost envious thinking of how pretty it will look on one lucky winner’s wall!

It’s my pleasure. The Pink Lady painting is a favorite among many.  It is fun, feminine and a little bit fanciful which is why I have chosen it as the giveaway… Enjoy  :-)

This giveaway is closed. To win this beautiful print all you need to do is:

* Leave a comment on this post with your name & email address

* Follow my blog, through Google Friend Connect / Bloglovin’

* 1 extra entry if you become a fan of Miles of Style’s Fan Page on Facebook

* 1 extra entry if you Tweet about this giveaway

* 1 extra entry for subscribing to Miles Of Style by email

* 2 extra entries if you spread the Word.. :

~ Post about this giveaway on your blog and link it back here.

~ Add a Miles Of Style link or Button to your blog’s side bar

(Don’t forget to let me know when you do any of the above and please provide a link for the same)

This giveaway is open until 10th May (7am GMT)and I shall choose a winner through Random Generator. I can’t wait to see who wins this fabulous print before I leave for my summer hols!

International readers are most welcome to participate-the more the merrier!

Good Luck Everyone! xo.