Heather Arenas ~ Plein air painter

Art has been a constant for me since I was very little. I studied art through high school but also took 3 years of Latin because my goal was to become an orthopedic surgeon. I took a few classes in college to create balance while I worked on my biology degree. It was not until I was in medical school that I decided I was not cut out for that line of work since it would mean I wouldn't have time to paint!
When I left school, I tried many different careers including veterinary technician, database architect and alpaca rancher and continued drawing and painting tributes to my experiences. Ultimately it didn't matter what I did to pay the bills, I still found time to paint. Although I have painted many different subjects, I particularly love figure painting. Anatomy is still my favorite subject. Now that I am older and more settled, I can paint everyday, sometimes on location and often with a live model to keep my skills sharp.
My goal as an artist is to make beautiful art. I study art and techniques constantly to try to make that happen.

Awards

Denver Plein Air Arts Festival 2012 Honorable Mention for “Red Rocks”
FASO Featured Artist October 2012
FASO FAV 15% December 2012 for “Hogwarts”
Bold Brush January 2013 3rd Place for "Ponytail"
FASO FAV 15% February 2013 for "A Moment to Reflect"
FASO FAV 15% March 2013 for "Afternoon Nap" and "Oranges"
FASO FAV 15% April 2013 for "Tapestry"
Women Artists of the West 43rd National Exhibition 2013 Jury Award for “Tapestry”
FASO FAV 15% July 2013 for "Girl in White Dress" and “How Do I Look?”
FASO FAV 15% August 2013 "Orange Sandals" and "Unmasked"
Alla Prima Westcliffe, Wet Wall Painting of the Day and Best Figurative 2013
FASO FAV 15% September 2013 "Beach Baby" and "Six Figures"
Lone Tree Art Exhibition, Honorable Mention for "Beach Baby"
FASO FAV 15% October 2013 for "Girl with Feather Earrings"
FASO FAV 15% November 2013 for "Red Kimono"