‘IT was the sweetest, most mysterious-looking place any one could imagine.’

Chapter 9 opening, The Secret Garden

In the days when all we needed to entertain us was a few pots, pans and wooden spoons and we spent all of our time in the garden, finding new creatures, making mud pies and discovering plants that felt like the softest blanket were truly magical moments. These experiences were at the forefront of my mind as I developed this collection - the joy and innocence along with the scents and sounds.

The overriding feelings I have of my Nana’s garden are that it was a real place of wonder bursting at the seams with plants that unlocked my imagination - Lambs Ear, Snap Dragons and Fuchsias that appeared to dance - all intermingled with the sounds of birds in their bird bath that they shared with herds of snails and the oh-so-special archway tucked behind  climbing plants that hid a path so slender that only tiny feet could access it.

Right now, in my home studio, there's gold leaf catching the light on a piece that's still not quite finished. A jar of paintbrushes sits next to a scrap of tissue paper I've torn into the shape of a petal. This is what the week before a launch looks like for me: equal parts excitement and last, careful details.

I wanted to let you in on some of that before the full collection reveals itself

I've already told you the story of how this collection came to be, the gardens I grew up in, my Nana's fuchsias, the poppies that seem to stand proud no matter what. But a collection isn't just about where it came from. It's about where it's going, and whose walls it's meant to end up on.

So who is this collection actually for?

It's for the people who can't walk past a flower bed without stopping. Who notice the way a fuchsia twists in the breeze like it's mid dance move. Who know, without being told, that Lamb's Ear is the plant you can't help but touch. If you've ever crouched down in a garden just to look closer at something, this collection was made with you in mind.

It's also for the people who fill their homes the way they fill their gardens: with abundance, colour, and a few unexpected surprises. Homes with personality. Homes where guests linger in the kitchen a little too long, where a reading nook actually gets read in, where the sunroom is the good room.

Here's a closer look at the kinds of spaces and people this collection is finding its way into.

Gardens in have long been featured in great works of art. Monet created a plethora of work centred around his favourite garden at Giverny and the waterlilies that he captured in his signature style have become iconic alongside the sunflowers and irises of Van Gogh.

Art means something different to each of us but if I’ve learned anything from my podcast guests it’s that art can really transform a house into a home. It brings connection and story. Here are some of my favourite stories from my guests on The Curated Nest Podcast.

• art commemorates special events

• art is a heartfelt gift

• art reminds us of our happy place

• art gives us hope

• art can be a symbol of our purpose

• art is like a window to another world

• art links is to the creator

Ever since the cave paintings of the Stone Age and probably before, art has been a form of communication. Images were drawn on the walls of caves to preserve the stories of tribes to be retold for years to come. Portraits were painted of Kings, Queens and Nobles with symbols telling the stories they wanted portrayed - stories of bravery, riches and achievement. To this day, art continues to tell stories. Some are simply stories of beauty while others educate, politicise and provoke.

I have always wanted my work to tell stories of joy and of happy places. I believe that art has a great power to raise spirits, inspire and enable people to dream. It’s sometimes thought of as the finishing touch in a room or an untouchable thing in a gallery but art is so much more. It’s a vehicle for the soul and it connects us regardless of language or lifestyle. The stories in my artwork are very personal but that doesn’t stop people connecting their stories to them - quite the opposite.

Have you ever walked into a beautifully decorated home and thought, It looks lovely... but it doesn't really feel like the people who live here?

We're surrounded by interiors that tell us what's fashionable. Every few months there's another "must-have" colour, another style we're told to embrace, another trend that's destined to disappear just as quickly as it arrived. Fast fashion for your home.

But our homes aren't showrooms.

They're where birthdays are celebrated, conversations stretch late into the evening, children grow up, dogs curl up by the fire and memories quietly accumulate over years. They deserve to reflect the people who live there, not simply the latest design trend.

That's why I created The Curated Nest.

Not all artworks come from the same starting point. Inspiration can hit in different ways and develop at different speeds but ut almost always has a story at the centre of it - whether that’s from the outset of throughout the making process. In this blog, I take you through some of the ways in which my ideas develop.

Sketchbook

The vast majority of artists keep a sketchbook of some sort. I have piles of them in the studio and my loft going back as far as college. I used to think that they were a linear tool - sketch something, turn the page and sketch the next thing. In recent years, I have developed a habit of splashing paint on pages then jumping between them adding marks, sticking in things I’ve collecting or scribbling notes. It’s rare that a page just happens in one sitting.

One of the things my clients love about my original art is its humanity. It is created by my hands, my thought processes, my responses to the materials as I work. They aren't only buying an image. They're buying a moment in my studio. Every print carries evidence of decisions that happened only once. Decisions that came from me in that specific moment. The artwork is a culmination of experiences, decisions and skill.

When someone stands in front of an original artwork, they aren't simply looking at an image. Their eyes follow the ridges of ink, the layers of paint and the tiny imperfections left by the artist's hands. Our brains are remarkably good at imagining touch through sight alone, which is one reason originals have such a physical presence. Researchers call this "haptic perception." Football stadiums have leant into this with technology that allows deaf fans to feel vibrations that help them to feel the sound of the cheers. Art lovers translate what they see - the shadows, the bumps and the shine - into what they would feel even when they’re not allowed to reach out and touch.

“Heather’s passion for her work is evident and I’m always delighted with my purchases.”

Nathan & Louisa, repeat clients, Bolam

Nathan and Louise moved into an older property and loved its features but the kitchen didn't;t work for them and their growing family. They also wanted space to host their family and friends and make the most of their extensive back yard with amazing views. This prompted them to do a full revamp adding an extension on the back with panoramic windows to bring the outside in. Once the structure was right they still felt it was missing something - the personal touch…

…something original and tactile.

A splash of colour!

That’s where I came in.

Your happy place is such a personal thing - that place that centres you, brings you peace and joy at the same time and holds so many special memories.

For the Woolley’s that place is the north east coast. Living in Newcastle where they first met, they are blessed to be just a 15 minute drive from some of the UK’s award winning stretches of beach - Tynemouth, Whitley Bay and Seaton Sluice to name a few.

‘We were looking for a piece of art with a nautical theme when we came across Heather’s work.

We were drawn in by her use of bold colours and the unique patterns created by her carving.

Heather is friendly, honest and approachable which all created a great service. Buying from her felt easy and the whole process was transparent.

We’re so happy to have this piece in the hallway - our original ‘Happy Place’ print makes it welcoming. ‘

Chris and Pippa Woolley

‘I enjoy the sunset colours in it, and the sense you get of the wave about to crash and the sounds it would make. I like the layers and detail to the wave.

I love its vibrant colour in my office. It’s somewhere I can spend long periods at a time, so to be able to glance/look at it during my time in there brings a lot of enjoyment!’

Callum has been a client from very early on, buying gift items as well as larger originals. While he was studying for his masters, he was spending a lot of time in his office and needed something on the walls to give his eyes a break from the screen and lift his mood from time to time.

You have treated yourself to that gorgeous piece of art that you just had to have and now you have it at home. Now you just hang it, right? Well there’s a little more to consider when caring for your artwork. Here I have put together a few very simple ways to ensure the longevity of your originals.

Caring for your art is very simple but so is damaging it so take note…

This blog covers care for 2D and 3D artworks including installation, cleaning and more.

Remember that bit in Mary Poppins where they hold hands and jump into Burt’s pavement drawing? It’s magical and that magic can be conjured by original art in all forms. It makes you want to be in that place and brings the happiness of locations into your space.

Truth be told, many of my pieces are inspired by fragments and mixtures of places and some are entirely imagined. This particular one was informed by the birch trees in Gosforth Nature Reserve and the bluebells that adorn our front garden every year. They are two of my favourite natural sights at the moment and went together so well. The combination creates a fairytale experience.

Sometimes a piece of art just grabs you.

‘Honestly, I wasn't really looking, which makes it all the more special that I ended up buying two pieces at the preview evening! Our house has slowly been coming together over the years but the walls have always been the last thing we think about. We'd talked about getting some proper art rather than just prints from the usual high street shops, something that actually meant something to us. I just hadn't found the right thing yet.’

Identify quality artwork - Buying artwork can be very subjective. We all have different tastes and what ‘experts’ tell us to buy or say is on trend isn’t necessarily what we want to hang in our homes. Nevertheless, you want to know that what you are spending your money on is going to stand the test of time: materials, feel the passion through the description, have the option to view up close and talk to the artist - cut the crap!

Something magical when you put pen to paper (or brush to canvas etc.). That action wakes up the right side of the brain and kicks your creative centre into action. Logic and jobs list get put aside and your synapses start firing up the imagination.

‘Participating in the arts can enable people to deal with a wide range of mental ill-health conditions and psychological distress.’ MentalHealth.org

They also go on to discuss how group activities in the arts can combat issues with isolation, a fact that I observe in action while running the Creating Confidence programme for East End Women. Creating together provides the perfect environment for connection. You are not only sharing a common task but seeing different approaches to the same starting point, which enables you to learn deeply about each other without even saying a word. This is incredibly powerful - especially for people who find it difficult to open up. Also, the act of buying your eyes and hands gives the opportunity for people to talk without worrying about eye contact. For those of us who have experienced trauma or need to talk through complex issues, eye contact can feel confrontational and artwork provides somewhere for eyes to rest while during conversation. This was something I learned from the amazing people at James’ Place in Newcastle - a place where they hang art in therapy rooms to give clients something to look at while they have their sessions.

If you’ve never bought art before, it can seem like a daunting world to step into. Often the stereotype of the huge white walled gallery with intimidating security guards and ever serious staff make the art world seem uninviting or out of reach but it really doesn’t have to be like that.

That ornament that your grannie had on the mantle piece, the tapestry you saw in the museum and the gorgeous photos in the ned and breakfast you stayed at are all art in their own right. We all have our own tastes and we can choose to buy as an investment or buy what makes us feel something.

Don't overthink it. Find what you connect to and follow your instincts. Here are some things to consider:

1. What makes you happy outside your home? Are you a hiker, gardener or fashionista? These could give you clues to the theme of work and the kinds of exhibitions you’d enjoy.

2. What’s going on in your local art scene? Perhaps there are small galleries, open studio events or artists running workshops. These can be great ways to get a flavour of work that is likely to connect you to your home. It’s also a great idea to check out the art in local cafes and restaurants and look up the artists. Local businesses often support each other.

3. What is your budget? You can find amazing art for all ranges of budgets and a lot of artists and galleries offer payment plans to help spread the cost too (I offer these on request or you can access Klarna through PayPal at the checkout).

4. What space do you have available? If you’re looking to fill a large space then ststament pieces from larger galleries can work a treat. You could even collect a series of pieces are start a gallery wall (I have a mild obsession with gallery walls). Even small spaces can benefit from smaller art and original prints are fab way to achieve joy in miniature.

Art has the power to make an immeasurable impact in the world. I’ve seen it happen. I’ve been part of it.

I don’t get political with my art. I make it to bring joy - to the viewer and to me. It’s self care and it lifts people but, more than that, it can be used to make a broader difference. It can take people away from their troubles even just for a moment and it can be used to drive change. Art doesn’t have to be showy and conceptually obtuse to achieve this.

Step inside the studio preview of Returning to Spring and explore a calming mixed media collection inspired by nature, reflection and renewal.