About Heather Tapia

I Have Been an Artist My Entire Life

I have always had the passion to create. It is this unstoppable source of motivation and pleasure for me. As a child, I would sit and draw all day long. Art is very therapeutic for me. When I am creating, I am in a very relaxed and peaceful place. It is almost as if I am in another world!

My biggest inspiration has always been my family. The people I love most show up in my work in more ways than I can count, whether it is a color that reminds me of someone, a memory I am trying to hold onto, or a moment I never want to forget. They are the heart behind so much of what I create, and I do not think that will ever change.

I feel very fortunate that I am able to express myself through so many different creative processes and to share that work with others. It gives me the greatest pleasure for my clients to truly love my art.

My Miami Roots

My art is lively and colorful, which I attribute to my roots in Miami. I was born in Miami, and I love all of the design, life, color, and Hispanic and tropical attributes it has to offer.

One of my greatest childhood memories is working in my grandmother's art studio with her in Miami. She designed and made handmade specialty hair bows and had a room filled with crafting materials and paint. I would spend hours there with her, creating art.

I have studied art in specialized art programs taught by professional artists since the age of twelve, and I hold a Bachelor's degree in Fine Art. I was fortunate to attend Harrison School of Visual and Performing Arts for high school, where I studied at the Polk Museum of Fine Art for four years. It was an incredible experience to be surrounded by art every day, to see new exhibitions, and to learn from featured artists, as well as being taught by professional artists.

The Story Behind the Paintings

One body of work I developed is Custom Ultrasound Paintings for expecting mothers.

One of the most exciting moments for a new mother is seeing her child for the first time. What better way to preserve the anticipation and joy of that moment than to turn it into a beautiful piece of artwork for mother and baby to treasure for the rest of their lives? Often sonogram images just get stored in a box or old photo album, where the image and magic of the moment are forgotten. Ultrasound Paintings are a way to preserve and treasure that magnificent moment forever.

When working on a commission, the first step is a thorough interview with my collector to find out exactly what they want to create. This way, we make sure that every color, concept, emotion, memory, and detail they want to capture is woven into their painting. We also decide on the exact materials to use for the piece, and then I bring their vision to life.

For my original paintings, I take a vision I have in my mind and put it into the physical world through drawing and painting. A lot of my paintings are finger painted using oil pigment sticks, which makes them unique and playful.

Every piece I create comes from the same place: pure joy. I feel so lucky to get to do what I love every single day.