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

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!

Walking through woodlands and parks can be such a meditative experience, especially when you do it free of technology. You can be on the outskirts of a city and still feel cocooned in nature only a metre or so into the trees. It becomes a multi-sensory experience between the ever changing colours in the wildlife and the skies, the textures of the rough bark and delicate flowers, the smells of blossoms and the sounds of the birds chirping and scurrying.

Spring feels like a time for renewal, growth and coming back to life after a dormant and dark winter. It’s the time when the colour returns to the world and reignites our energy. A little more sunshine makes all the difference to our mood and the new blooms punctuate it with added joy.

Spring is a time of renewal and rebirth. From the birth of new chicks to the appearance of blossom, there is new life popping up all around us. That renewal and influx of colour and noise can have the feeling of bringing us back to life after a grey winter of hibernation.

LM Montgomery said "That is one good thing about this world... there are always sure to be more springs". No matter how grey a day gets, we always have that hope and promise of spring and that’s what I love to capture in my original artwork.

In this blog, I will take you through some of the springtime stories behind my work.

I’m no interior designer. I am contemporary landscape artist and an interiors enthusiast. I understand the importance of composition. It’s about finding balance and flow in art and it’s the same for any space too.

At the end of every episode of The Curated Nest Podcast, I ask my guests the same quick fire questions and they glean a variety of answers that are very telling and aligned with the kind of home that they want and that will nurture them. It’s not about spending megabucks on a total renovation but about understanding the essence of what your home is to you and how it can enable you to feel you best. Let’s dive into the questions and how they can help you to find your home vision.

Classic or modern?

Maximalist or minimalist?

Country or city?

Swimming pool or games room?

Chef or cleaner?

Following trends or instincts?

When Pantone announced their colour of the year for 2026, I thought it was a hoax. It felt like an April Fool come too soon - a cop out or even a stunt designed to get us all arguing so that their brand gets a big boost in visibility (the cynic in me was leaning this way - it certainly has resulted in a lot of chat across the internet).

Redecorating is either something that you trust your instincts on or something that you dread. If you are in the latter camp then this blog is for you! You’ll also love The Curated Nest magazine - a free digital interiors inspiration magazine (Get it here).

There are many ways to start putting together a scheme for a room. Here I am proposing (surprise surprise) that you start with art. We often have an emotional gut reaction when we see a piece of art that we love. We choose it because it makes us feel something. That instinct can be the starting point for your whole room set up.

It’s that time of year again - time for the new Christmas collection.

This time I’ve gone for a gorgeous jewel green with copper print and edging.They’re classy and understated - classics that will last you years and years.

Made from a 10cm plywood base, hand painted and handprinted then finished with twine, these beautiful ornaments are hardwearing and beautiful - perfect for homes with children or pets (Last year one of my customers’ trees was knocked over by their dog and the ornaments were completely unscathed - the tree was a little worse for wear though!).

Step into a world where the beauty of Tynemouth Longsands and Whitley Bay Beach comes alive through art, where wavy lines and seasonal colours converge to create captivating and timeless Lino prints. I am thrilled to introduce my latest collection of limited edition Lino prints, inspired by the ever-changing seasons and the rhythmic patterns of the North Sea.

Decorating the Christmas tree is when I get fully into the Christmas spirit. There have been years when I’ve felt so drained and fed up with work that my husband had bought the tree early because it totally changes me!

Without fail, I always follow the same pattern when decorating the tree (whether it’s the family tree or the one I dress for my launch photos). They are:

• Level the tree

• Lights

• Ornaments

• Topper

I am so excited to show you my new Christmas range because I know you’re going to love it and it will fit so well with your existing ornaments collection.

It’s clean and luxurious with a combination of white and copper!

Your environment has a huge impact on your day to day mood. If your home is a mess or falling apart then that has psychological implications. They say ‘tidy space, tidy mind.’ Well I am hopeless with house keeping. I love a good clear out but I have a child and two jobs so yes my house is messy and I’m no Mrs Hinch (I’ve only just learned who she is).

So how do I make my home a feel good space? I add colour.

When buying things for our homes, budget plays a huge part. Prioritising what to spend money on is a fine balancing act and you need to make sure you are getting the most from your hard earned wages.

Artwork may seem like a frivolous investment but actually it could be more important in your home than you think.

My husband and I invested in original artworks before I worked professionally as and artist and i’m glad I did for the following 5 reasons:

• colour

• dopamine

• atmosphere

• durability

• detail