Biography
Born and raised in South Carolina, Heather Speer earned an art and art education degree at Lander University. Falling in love with traditional 35 mm photography, she captures the unique character of people and places of her surroundings. She uses photography, paint, or mixed media to explore rich and textural themes. She draws inspiration from the figure, strong character traits, culture, and the relationships between visual stimuli.
After working as a certified art educator, Heather is now dedicating her time to increase her visibility in the art world. Heather has exhibited at:
- Lander University in Greenwood, SC
- University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC
- University of South Carolina Upstate in Spartanburg, SC
- Dillon, Montana
- The Art House Gallery in the North Davidson Arts District of Charlotte, NC
- BacinTyme of Fort Mill, SC
- The Good Samaritan House of Lake Wylie, SC
- Bob Doster’s Backstreet Gallery in Lancaster, SC
- Total Arts Fusion in Great Falls, SC
- Arts Council of York County in Rock Hill, SC
- Avant Garde Center for the Arts in Great Falls, SC.
- City Hall Rotunda Gallery, Rock Hill, SC
- Civic & Cultural Center of Pineville, NC
- WSOC Television Station, Charlotte, NC
- Riverbirch Yoga, Lake Wylie, NC
A strong supporter of quality arts education and the preservation of traditional 35 mm photography, Heather gives back to the community by continuing to teach art part time. She currently resides in Tega Cay, SC. Though still finding joy in painting and mixed media, she is currently focusing on boudoir and figure photography. Heather continues to expand gallery representation.
Heather Speer Artist, Photographer
Artist Statement
Whether creating by using photography, painting, or mixed media, I highlight the beauty in everyday people and objects. In Cyclical Stitch I find abstract relationships between forms and subjects to be fascinating. Here the cycles of life and dichotomies of living versus inanimate objects are portrayed by juxtaposing the inanimate mannequin head, the dead skeleton, the live figure, dead flowers, and green branch. Each part is necessary for the other to exist, therefore forming a part to whole relationship. This part to whole relationship is echoed in the parts of the quilt background, another symbol rich in cultural heritage. As in the hexagonal shapes of the quilt, I often use bee imagery, a symbol for life, and an influence from my beekeeper grandfather.
for more information on Heather Speer, photography, or commissions, visit www.heatherspeerphotography.com or call 803-517-6528.