We recently had the chance to connect with Heather Harris and have shared our conversation below.
Heather, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What is a normal day like for you right now?
Right now, I’m in the studio most of the time, working hard to finish new pieces for my upcoming collectors’ dinner—a catered evening designed as a thank-you to my longtime supporters, where they get the first look at new work before anyone else. I’m also preparing for my fall shows, including the Austin Studio Tour, the Hixen Studio Holiday Soirée, and the Armadillo Bazaar, so it’s a busy but exciting season in the studio.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Heather Harris, a mixed-media artist based just outside Austin, Texas. My work blends photography, metal, and acrylic to explore connection, curiosity, and the ways we experience the world around us. With a background in science education, I bring a spirit of experimentation and observation to every piece. Each work begins with one of my original photographs—often taken during my travels—and evolves into a layered, sculptural piece that invites viewers to slow down and look closer. Right now, I’m creating new works for my Whispers of Water series and designing one-of-a-kind lamps that upcycle vintage glass figurines. I’m also preparing for my collectors’ dinner and upcoming fall shows, including the Austin Studio Tour, the Hixen Studio Holiday Soirée, and the Armadillo Bazaar.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world told me who I had to be, I was someone constantly trying to meet everyone else’s expectations and always in a rush. Over time, I’ve learned to slow down and trust my own rhythm, and creativity, and what makes my work unique. Now, I work—and live—at my own pace. Whether something comes together quickly or unfolds slowly, I’ve realized that every step forward is progress. That mindset has changed how I create and how I see the world.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I’d tell my younger self that you’re on the right path. Things won’t always go as planned, but that’s okay—there’s a bigger picture at work, one that connects all of us in ways you can’t yet see. Trust that connection, trust yourself, and remember to slow down. You don’t have to rush; everything unfolds in its own time.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
The project I’m most committed to, no matter how long it takes, is my ongoing We Are All Connected (W.A.A.C.) piece, which I first created in 2014 as an ArtPrize entry. I thought it was complete back then, but I later realized it couldn’t truly be finished until I included photographs from all seven continents. The piece explores how, despite our differences and the pace of modern life, we’re all connected—to each other, to nature, to time, and to the impact we have on our world. Each photograph and sculptural element reflects that shared thread, and the work continues to grow as I travel and gather new images. It’s a lifelong project, and one I’m deeply committed to seeing through.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I believe I’m doing what I was born to do. Every experience—both the highs and the lows—has led me here. From attending the U.S. Air Force Academy, to studying at the University of Arizona, to moving to Texas to be closer to family, to working in education and the private sector—each chapter gave me something essential. Every relationship, every turn, has shaped how I see the world and how I create. Now, I’m making work like no other artist in the world and connecting with people from all over through that creative process. It all makes sense in hindsight, even the parts that didn’t at the time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.heatherharrisart.com/
- Instagram: @heatherloreleiharris
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-lorelei-harris-a9a6725/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heatherharrisart
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@HeatherHarrisArt
Image Credits
copyright Heather Harris (HeatherHarrisArt)
