and how the owners describe the piece.
"Judith and Holofernes" is a portrait of a San Francisco-based American
fado band of the same name.
The bold use of black and red are consistent
with the aesthetics of the band's records, promotional fliers,
and
posters.
The color choice and style also compliment the band's European musical roots.
It's a perfect representation of who these people are.
"Judith and Holofernes" is currently displayed in our living room, along
with many other paintings and photographs, very high on the wall and
above a doorway. It watches over us as we move from room to room.
As stated before, this painting captures the subject extremely well:
dark
and personal but,
at the same time, playful
and anonymous.
Mysterious, haunted, playful, drunken.
Owner: Dos of Judith and Holofernes
San Francisco, California
Upon first glance of Holly’s Otis, the viewer cannot help but understand the deep inner voice
that the artist was able to unearth in such a creature.
A creature, if you will, spawned from the most foul
of Calaveras County cats:
those that roam the hills around the Angels Gun Club.
Big Boy’s nephew (and, possibly, son),
Otis was born near the rifle range.
His mother and her kittens were transported
to the house adjoining The Gun Club hall,
not unlike the great mead halls
from the time of Beowulf.
The beast here is the coyote, a villain to young kittens.
Sharing the same lineage of the Mighty Big Boy,
Otis could surely hold his own in such an environment.
Instead, Holly and her husband took him home
and have spoiled him ever since.
The artist was able to capture the majestic nature
and narrative of what some would call cat,
yet those who know him
well
call him just plain sickening.
Not since Rembrandt has an artist been able
to achieve such intimacy in a portrait until now.
Not only does she capture the emotion of the cat,
but the psychology is there as well.
To the owners, it is a true masterpiece
that we feel lucky to have in our home.
"Holly's Otis"
Owner: Benjamin J. Shaw
a.k.a. The California Poet
Jackson, California
Hanford, California
I say artistically-pleasing because they are quite lovely to look at -
the way the colors play off one another and the entire composition on the canvas.
They are meaningful to me and my family, too, because two of them are of my granddaughters.
The smaller one of the two is in brown tones and is recognizable to everyone that knows my Allison.
The larger one is of Lauren and complements the portrait of her sister,
as it it in lovely hues of yellows with just a striking hint of cinnamon red.
The third is a group portrait of Heather and some friends done in various blue colors.
It is quite a conversation piece for my guests!
Each one is quite unique,
yet together they make a wonderful arrangement that work very well together.
"Spin" hangs above my fireplace
and is the centerpiece of my home.
I love to look at the
painting up close and see
the painter's skillful technique
in the pattern and layers
of
bold colors.
I also like to look at the painting
farther back and enjoy the abstraction
and motion
of the mirror image
human form.
I feel honored to own
such a
skilled and
beautiful painting that gives me much personal enjoyment and that also
demonstrates my
appreciation of art, beauty
and non-conformity.
Owner: Sarah Ash
Castaic, California
"Nude Number Four"
is a wonderful painting.
Up close this painting
looks almost abstract
but back up a few steps
and a beautiful figure
springs to the eye.
I love the layers of paint and the dark colors
resonate with me.
I can tell that a lot of skill
and effort went into
its creation.
I am proud to hang
"Nude Number Four"
in the room where
I spend the most time.
Owner: Michael
Issaquah, Washington
My painting by Heather
makes me feel like a rock star!
She took a favorite photo and
turned it into a groovy,
orange and purple painting
of my partner and me
that really
captures
our smiles and eyes.
I don't know how she does it but she really has a way with
paint and canvas.
If I ever make a rock album
I've got the cover art for it!
Owners in Massachusetts
We commissioned this painting of our friend Johnny - and we absolutely love it!
A few summers ago on the 4th of July,
we came across Johnny
napping in a
hammock in the shade.
Apparently without a care in the world.
So we snapped a
picture of him.
The original photo is crammed with dozens of others in a
shoebox somewhere.
But Heather's painting hangs
on our living room wall.
Everytime one of us looks at the painting,
we remember that awesome,
carefree
day.
Thanks Heather!
Owners: The Bento Family
Port Hadlock, Washington
I can see my favorite portrait.
The artist has not only captured the malevolent defiance of the subject, but has also added a highly desirable flavor of armageaddon
to the scene.
She has included an appropriate grotesque element, but represented the
confident look in my face.
I adore this painting.
Not simply for reasons of vanity, although I must admit the artist through this painting has made me more attractive than I could have imagined.
But I love it because it contains so many
fantastic eye pleasing features.
The harmony of color progression of the background draws my attention.
Then I see the malevolent foreground! A fellow admirer said it best that the portrait looks as if it should be the cover of Doom 4!
I get the immediate impression of fire and apocalypse, destruction and triumph!
I can see a wonderful choice of geometry.
The artist has used the assault-rifle's shape to cast the viewers attention to my hand,
with its finger at the ready.
Then the viewer's gaze is drawn to my face.
It seems to be lit from an explosion, with a dark shadow cast to the right for dramatic effect.
The artist has provided me with one of my most prized posessions, and I am truly honored to own it. The artist really understands how to capture the spirit of the subject and express, embellish, or elaborate on that spirit, depending upon what is appropriate for that portrait. Her skill and talent has produced a delightful body of work,
and I am proud to own my small piece of it.
Owner: Brandon
California
I had been a big fan of the
"Painfully Average" line of art for a long time and had always wanted to personally own one of Heather's wonderful paintings.
My then fiancee and I were admiring the work that was displayed on the
Painfully Average website one day,
when "Beso" caught her eye.
It was love at first sight for her,
and the beginning of a great idea for me.
I purchased "Beso" as a
Christmas gift for my fiancee.
She was overjoyed and quickly found
a place to hang it up in her house.
In the several years that "Beso" hung in her house it was frequently the source of admiring compliments, and the central focus of many lively conversations.
I was so pleased to be able to give the gift of beautiful original art-especially
a piece that my wife particularly loves, from an artist whose work I particularly
love!
"Beso" now hangs in the house
where we live together.
It continues to be the source of admiring compliments and the focus of conversation.
Owners: The Jensens
Sacramento, California
Owners: The Turners
Bakersfield, California
Heather is undoubtedly the best artist in the world.
"Sister" and "Raeanne" both adorn my home and
garner many compliments from guests.
"Sister" is Heather's sister, my other daughter.
Guests needing to "powder their noses" can't miss seeing it at the end of the hallway.
I
also think of both my girls each time I see and admire it.
"Raeanne" is Heather's friend
painted from a Halloween snapshot.
I love
her and I love her art.
ENJOY!