photo by Ruth Hayden
my short story
I am one of a few artists that began their art journey after left side brain Injury, in my case "Severe Traumatic Brain Injury". It's crazy to have something so wonderful come from something terrible and life threatening,
but a blessing it is!
My journey started January 18th 2015. After the road froze, 2 cars on either side of mine lost control and we all hit each other. After the accident I was sitting and waiting for the cops to show up but while waiting the worst happened.. I was t-boned by a full speed suv. My life was taken for an unknown amount of time, I was brought to a hospital, I was in 12 hour surgery and passed away, this time for 8 minuets. They removed the left side of my skull because of the swelling, I was unresponsive, I had a torn brain stem, I was in a self induced coma... I could go on and on with the details of the damage. . I had no hope from the doctors. Words like "70% chance she will not survive", "brain dead", "we're so sorry".. It seemed to be the time to say goodbye to Heather..
It just so happened to be a special day. A Sunday morning on my way to church, which is Hillsong NYC. Thankfully Hillsong is all over the world so after they got a call to hear about my accident they spread the word and there were thousands of people that prayed for me that Sunday. But most importantly my family, my friends, and even my pastor, Carl Lentz, came that day and prayed for me. They came with real faith for a miracle. The power of prayer is so real. It was very real for my life that day..
The next morning I was different.. I showed a sign of life, my pupils dilated! So they brought me back in to check my brain injury. They found my brain stem to look like it was brand new.. absolutely no damage.. and the brain stem is not an area of the body that can heal.. it was a total unexplainable miracle. Well I can explain it..
There were many more miracles, not only for me but for many other people in the ICU with me.
Time flew by and somewhere in the many months of healing, therapy and relearning, my (ex)husband told me I should paint. I was kind of surprised to hear that because I wanted to do something more productive. But after my very first attempt painting again I became hooked! Once I was able to move back home I painted every day all day from morning to night. This was very new for me. I never felt like making art more then once or twice a year. And after the accident I had completely fallen in love with nature, color, lights, people, babies, and art in a new way.
So today, I'm still in love, still always trying to improve and learn more, trying to express, share and communicate in my work. Now even painting and expressing Gods word and His love for us. Im forever grateful for each and every day Ive been given and every person I get to meet. Thank you for reading and God bless!
but a blessing it is!
My journey started January 18th 2015. After the road froze, 2 cars on either side of mine lost control and we all hit each other. After the accident I was sitting and waiting for the cops to show up but while waiting the worst happened.. I was t-boned by a full speed suv. My life was taken for an unknown amount of time, I was brought to a hospital, I was in 12 hour surgery and passed away, this time for 8 minuets. They removed the left side of my skull because of the swelling, I was unresponsive, I had a torn brain stem, I was in a self induced coma... I could go on and on with the details of the damage. . I had no hope from the doctors. Words like "70% chance she will not survive", "brain dead", "we're so sorry".. It seemed to be the time to say goodbye to Heather..
It just so happened to be a special day. A Sunday morning on my way to church, which is Hillsong NYC. Thankfully Hillsong is all over the world so after they got a call to hear about my accident they spread the word and there were thousands of people that prayed for me that Sunday. But most importantly my family, my friends, and even my pastor, Carl Lentz, came that day and prayed for me. They came with real faith for a miracle. The power of prayer is so real. It was very real for my life that day..
The next morning I was different.. I showed a sign of life, my pupils dilated! So they brought me back in to check my brain injury. They found my brain stem to look like it was brand new.. absolutely no damage.. and the brain stem is not an area of the body that can heal.. it was a total unexplainable miracle. Well I can explain it..
There were many more miracles, not only for me but for many other people in the ICU with me.
Time flew by and somewhere in the many months of healing, therapy and relearning, my (ex)husband told me I should paint. I was kind of surprised to hear that because I wanted to do something more productive. But after my very first attempt painting again I became hooked! Once I was able to move back home I painted every day all day from morning to night. This was very new for me. I never felt like making art more then once or twice a year. And after the accident I had completely fallen in love with nature, color, lights, people, babies, and art in a new way.
So today, I'm still in love, still always trying to improve and learn more, trying to express, share and communicate in my work. Now even painting and expressing Gods word and His love for us. Im forever grateful for each and every day Ive been given and every person I get to meet. Thank you for reading and God bless!
MY WORK
My commissioned portraits have been anything from newborns, to married couples, to beloved family members who have passed away. Each painting has a story behind it, and sometimes deeper then you may think. I love creating an image that tells your story and carries a deeper amount of love then I may think.
My Prophetic art is new to me! I started once quarantine happened in march 2020. I pray and get a scripture or image and spend time making the image from what Im thinking is being shared with me. It is very fun, rewarding, strengthening and energizing! I love having a deeper meaning and reason the make a painting and I can't wait to see whats next! |
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Painting EQUIPMENT
I've always been a lover of oil paint since art class in high school. Its my go to for most of my art but I have been using acrylic for outer space art and liquid acrylics for abstract art and also watercolor for some under sea adventures! Who knows whats coming next, I love trying new things but always stay rooted in oil paint.
I've been known to paint on wood, metal, glass, reused products and more. But my go to is just a canvas on wood or canvas paper! It seems my canvas size slowly increases.. I used to be so shy about the size I chose. All my beginning art is from 3 to 5 inches! But now my comfort size is 16x20.
A my paint brushes Im willing to try many brands but I have some sizes and types I use the most. Princeton brand filbert Ashley 2 and Summit 4 are my favorite right now.
I've been known to paint on wood, metal, glass, reused products and more. But my go to is just a canvas on wood or canvas paper! It seems my canvas size slowly increases.. I used to be so shy about the size I chose. All my beginning art is from 3 to 5 inches! But now my comfort size is 16x20.
A my paint brushes Im willing to try many brands but I have some sizes and types I use the most. Princeton brand filbert Ashley 2 and Summit 4 are my favorite right now.
Gamblin
Winsor & Newton
GOLDEN
Liquitex
Winsor & Newton
GOLDEN
Liquitex
