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Welcome to the world of Heilstorm Studios! My name is Denise Heil (pronounced ‘hail”). I hail from the picturesque Netherlands but found my heart here in the US, courtesy of my husband and partner-in-crime, Mike. I’m mostly self-taught, since I never had the pleasure of a formal art education. Instead, I picked up a crayon in the childhood days of endless imagination and found I simply couldn’t stop! Now, by day, I’m a storyboard and film artist for a local marketing agency, but by night I get to dive headfirst into my true artistic love: capturing the beauty of nature's wild and domesticated denizens, from the wild wanderers to our favorite furry companions.
I love mischief in watercolor, the velvet touch of pastels, the dramatic flair of charcoal, and the finesse of graphite. But, my curiosity regularly gets the better of me and she I regularly try new mediums for the sheer fun of it.
Amidst all this artistic adventuring, I found my cozy nook: the enchanting realm of magical realism, where reality and imagination sit down for tea and storytelling. This harmonious blend gives me the space to capture the very essence of my subjects, not merely their appearance but the very soul, with intricate detail and profound empathy. That’s what my hope is, at least ;).
I also find solace and joy in traditional realism, a realm where artistry becomes an intimate conversation with your subjects. Here, I get the opportunity to delicately 'draw near,' in studying the animal, discovering the different shades and subtleties of their being.
I feel like my lifelong connection with the natural world is a bond that was woven into my very essence from the day I first entered this world. This bond was nurtured by the unwavering love my parents held for every creature, be they majestic or minute. The wonders of the animal kingdom were never far away for our family, as we lived just steps, a walk or a bike ride away from expansive fields, a river teeming with life, and pockets of woodland harboring countless creatures.
Despite having the joys of nature so close, my path (like many others’ ) has been one marked by challenges, especially when it comes to other people. However, in the crucible of adversity that so many others are familiar with, a transformative encounter with Grace brought not only personal healing but also a profound gift of compassion. This changed everything for me. This pivotal moment instilled in me a more discerning gaze to see the beauty present within each creature, humans included. My hope and pursuit is to delicately capture the essence of beings, revealing the authentic nature that makes each of them so extraordinary.
I draw inspiration from the enchanting tales spun by the animal kingdom, those authentic souls I so dearly love and admire.. Through art, I’m hoping to unveil the essence of these beings, capturing their raw, unfiltered nature in strokes that echo with reverence. It’s a lofty goal, I know, but one I feel very deeply about. It is in these moments of quiet admiration, as well as the cherished moments of connection I get to share with kindred spirits like you, where life shows itself to be so enchanting. I hope each of my pieces becomes a celebration of life's wonders, an invitation to recognize the profound beauty that resides within us all. I hope my art may help our eyes calibrate to the delicate intricacies that define our shared existence as human and non-human kin. I hope the works of my hands may encourage our hearts to open to the boundless beauty that surrounds us all."
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