Artist - it’s all she’s ever wanted to be.
Formally educated with degrees in Marketing and Fine Arts from Lehigh University, Heather initially heeded her East Indian father’s advice to prioritize business over art. Nevertheless, her lineage is steeped in artistic excellence with a mother who is an alumna of the esteemed Philadelphia School of Art. Her paternal grandmother was also a painter and ensured that her passion for art never waned.
At her core, Heather Mehra-Pedersen is a passionate art enthusiast driven by a passion for colors and textures. Her professional journey has been a vibrant tapestry woven across diverse industries – one that has always left room for creativity. Intertwined with decades of art, Heather has succeeded as a licensed stockbroker, veterinary practice manager, interior designer, co-author, sign language interpreter, serial entrepreneur, and an advocate for overseas orphans. Heather’s creative spirit continuously finds its way into her business ventures.
A fusion of abstract and realistic elements...
Heather continues to straddle the stylistic line between Impressionist or Expressionist. She favors natural landscapes as her subject because, “Nature is the most forgiving and beautiful thing I know.” Reveling in creating richly colored and textured paintings and demonstrating a mastery of form and composition, her distinctive style is characterized by a fusion of abstract and realistic elements. Though she has extensively studied the works of the French and American Impressionists, Leonid Afremov, the late Russian impressionist, has always been Heather’s strongest influence for palette knife technique and color inspiration. Her large-scale paintings with vibrant and lavish colors capture her worldly travel experiences; one does not merely look at her paintings; rather, one experiences them.
Heather’s artistic footprint is represented in Sandpoint & Sun Valley, ID, Butte, MT, and Watford City, ND, yet, despite her success, she remains humbled by Konstantin Stanislavski’s words: “Love the art in yourself, not yourself in the art.” For Heather, being an artist is not merely about self-expression, but about being a conduit for divine creativity. “My talent and passion are gifts from God. I’m simply a tool in His hand.”
A true creative - ordinary inspiration to extraordinary vision
When not painting, she is also a creative art junkie, delighting in transforming discarded items into treasures using unconventional methods, parts, and pieces she finds in abandoned ranches and junkyards. She aims to appreciate the beauty of nature through upcycling, taking inspiration from wildlife, travels, and everyday objects. Occasionally, she comes across old paintings in fantastic antique frames and paints over the pre-framed canvases.
Heather signs her artwork using only her first name, a tribute to the artists who have influenced her. Incorporating a cross in the first stroke of the letter ‘H’ symbolizes Jesus, the ultimate Creator, while the curvy ‘E’s are reminiscent of her mother’s handwriting, honoring her inherited artistic genes.
Art for change… your support helps vulnerable families.
Heather’s Colors Studio and Lodging Venue: Talus Rock Retreat
Over two decades, Bruce and Heather have meticulously created a haven called Talus Rock Retreat, nestled in the picturesque landscape of Sandpoint, Idaho. Heather remains incredibly blessed to have a supportive husband who allowed her to design and build this lodging retreat, giving her the freedom to express her passion for art and beauty. The lodging venue offers travelers inspiration, rest, and rejuvenation and is a shared effort with veterinarian husband, Bruce. Together, their combined efforts have created an enduring love mark that brings wonderful guests and is something they are grateful to share daily with their four small furry companions – Sprout, Pocket, Chutney, and RD.