Artist StatementLiving near New England’s wonderfully diverse coast, I strive to create paintings that reflect those stunning colors that pop up quickly, as well as the emotions that they inspire. As a child, my grandmother, also an artist, took me for beach walks, where she taught me to experience and notice nature. In my studio, I am able to paint large and expressively with oils while experimenting with the emotional impact of light, color and application of paint. In addition to photos, sketches, and writings, I also use videos in order to return to the environment, which initially inspired me. I strive to paint the landscape as it made me feel, and not necessarily how it looked. My focus is primarily on my muse, the ocean, and its coast. I want to bring the viewer to a place in their own memory when they felt strength, relief, calm, joy, introspection, or peace.” BiographyWhitney Alexanderson Heavey loves painting the natural environment around her, particularly interested in the ocean and its coast. Born and raised in New England, Whitney has spent her life exploring and painting its diverse landscape, most especially its coastline. She received her Bachelor’s in Fine Arts from Skidmore College, during which time she studied for a year in Florence, Italy, at Studio Art Centers International (SACI). After teaching art and working as an art buyer for children's publishing companies, Whitney started painting full-time in 2005 from her studio at ArtSpace Maynard, Massachusetts. She has been juried into many selective shows, including one at the Cambridge Art Association, juried by Nicolas Baume, Director of the ICA, Boston. Among recent awards, she received a First Prize in oils at the All Cape Cod Art Show at the Creative Arts Center in Chatham, MA. Whitney was recently accepted as a member of the Copley Society of Art. Follow Whitney on Instagram: @whitney_heavey_art