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Press Statement
ArtHatch and Distinction Gallery are thrilled to present a debut solo exhibition of local artist Heather McKey. This exhibit will showcase McKey's most current paintings and drawing. Her art is best described as whimsical and surreal in an illustrative style. The Opening Reception will be held on Saturday, December 13, 2014 from 6-10pm with Live Music. McKey will be in attendance at the Opening Reception to meet, greet, and answer questions. Local artists within the ArtHatch building will have their studios open to the public as well. Complimentary Stone beer and wine will be served to guests.
Inspired by her lifelong love for birds and the paintings of Martin Johnson Heade and James Audubon, Heather's artwork is an intriguing blend of nature and avian surprise. Mixing shells with botanicals, her imaginary birdlife leaves the viewer smiling at the creature gazing back. Her acrylic paintings begin with a simple piece of wood. The natural grain of the wood coaxes the design of the composition and Heather often follows the patterns in the wood as she creates trees, water and other plants in the scene. Her extensive shell and feather collection offer constant visuals of how to fashion her birds in their magical world of dreamy landscapes. Playing with nature, she often titles her artwork with scientific sounding names, as if it were a documented specimen in the real world. Heather's training began with private art lessons as a young girl with pastel artist Judy Nachazel in the countryside of Ramona, California. Hour after hour, Heather would soak up every minute of learning in Judy's studio, in the turret of a Victorian home nestled in a quiet property surrounded by trees, birds and other wildlife. Her earliest project was drawing an owl and she has kept coming back to birds ever since. Although no formal degree, years of practice and input from faithful art mentors helped guide Heather in her skill and grow. After years exhibiting her award winning colored pencil works locally and internationally, she recently shifted focus to working solely in acrylic. Often working with a size 00 brush and smaller allows her to capture the details she loves most. Heather lives in Escondido, California with her husband Nick and paints daily, always planning out her next fanciful bird concept in her home studio. Her endearing bird creations are enjoyed in homes across the U.S. as far as Cornwall, England.
The exhibition will run from December 11, 2014 - January 3, 2015
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