About
Born in Philadelphia, PA, Heather Begun is a self-taught artist who did not begin to fully explore her artistic ability until well into her adult life. Growing up in a family that focused heavily on academics, she was taught to view her affinity for painting as a hobby. Heather attended the University of Pennsylvania where she ultimately received her Masters in Nursing as a critical care Nurse Practitioner. Throughout her 18+ years in clinical work, Heather often experimented with various painting techniques and mediums by occasionally taking a local painting class and drawing in her journal or sketch books. “I would paint or draw just enough to keep me connected to my heart,” Heather says. In the meantime, she was fully immersed in her role as wife, mother and critical care NP.
However, in 2016, Heather became critically ill from a viral illness that attacked her heart. During her recovery, Heather traveled and spent hours hiking in nature. On one particular trip to Santa Fe, a painting caught her eye. “I felt something shift inside me as soon as I stood in front of it,” she recalls. The painting lit up a place deep inside her heart that marked the beginning of a long unraveling and rebuilding of her life. Ultimately, in January 2021, Heather left her career in medicine and began to pursue her art full time.
Heather’s mixed media art honors her love of animals as well as her pursuit of understanding the mystical connection we all have to one another. Her unique combination of charcoal, acrylic and oil paint brings a contemporary and fresh interpretation of each animal. Her paintings seem to whisper a message to the viewer, helping reconnect them to quiet places within their own hearts. “My hope is that every painting will remind people of the uniqueness within their hearts that the world is so desperately waiting for.” Heather infuses her life experience, intuition and love of nature and animals into each work of art. Heather is able to capture a single moment or glance with astounding skill and grace. Her work combines realism with the energy and spirit of contemporary art.
Heather and her husband Eric are “empty nesters” currently living in Allen, Texas. Working out of her home studio, Heather loves all the natural light and tranquility her quiet studio offers. Early in the morning, she can see a coyote or bobcat sprinting by or watch the doves build their nest on her patio. When Heather is not working in her home studio, you can find her hiking the trails near her home, with her Labrador, Lucy. You can see her beautiful art in person at various art fairs in the Dallas area.
