Heather Neilson is an abstract artist whose work explores the interplay between the natural world, the passage of time, and personal identity. Drawing inspiration from both real and imagined landscapes, she uses color, texture, and form to evoke a sense of equilibrium—while simultaneously holding space for tension, transformation, and ambiguity. Her intuitive, process-driven approach translates emotion and sensory experience into layered visual language.

Heather’s paintings offer a quiet invitation to reflect on the threads that connect us to the earth and to each other. Through atmospheric fields, elemental gestures, and shifting surfaces, she explores memory, belonging, and the deeply human impulse to find meaning in place. Her work aims to awaken a sense of awareness and reverence for the natural world and our place within it.

Based in the northwest hills of Connecticut, Heather finds continual inspiration in the surrounding landscape, where cycles of erosion, growth, and renewal mirror her own creative process.

Read more about Heather’s art practice in this Northwest Connecticut Arts Council article

Beyond her personal practice, Heather finds great joy in helping others discover and express their own creative voice. Through art classes and workshops, offered both in person and online, she provides individuals with the tools, guidance, and encouragement essential to uncover their inner artist. Within a warm and inviting creative space, participants can embark on a journey of  self-expression, skill development, personal growth and transformation. These experiences not only offer intrinsic rewards but also create opportunities for meaningful connections with like-minded individuals.

Heather invites you to explore the current workshop and class opportunities available.

Biography 
Heather Neilson has been dedicated to painting and mixed media art for over 30 years. She studied at the Art Students League of New York and trained with several master artists throughout her career. Before becoming a full-time artist, she worked professionally in marketing and holds a B.A. in Communications from Rutgers University.

Heather teaches abstract painting and mixed media workshops both online and in person—through her studio and at art centers throughout the region. Her teaching emphasizes experimentation, intuition, and the development of a personal visual language.

Gallery Representation
Alofft Gallery, Litchfield, CT'

Associations
Connecticut Women Artists

Exhibitions

April 2025 - Mixed Media Invitational, Kent Art Association, Kent, CT
January, 2025 - SOLO Show - Chase Gallery, Mandell Jewish Community Center, West Hartford, CT
October, 2024 - Connecticut Women Artists, National Juried Show - Slater Museum, Norwich, CT
April, 2024 - Motion In Limine - Whiting Mills, Winsted, CT
January, 2024 - Renewal - Kehler Liddell Gallery, New Haven, CT
September, 2023 - Faculty Show - West Hartford Art League, West Hartford, CT
September 3-29, 2022 - SOLO Show - The Norfolk Library - Norfolk, CT Take a Virtual Tour
May 2022 - 2nd Home Lounge Featured Artist - Winsted, CT
April-May 2022 - Group Show “Down to Earth” - Canton Gallery on the Green - Canton, CT
March 2022 - Group show - Kent Art Association - Kent, CT
May 2021 – Solo show – John Noelke Gallery – Torrington, CT
September 2020 – National Fine Art Show – Lincoln Gallery, Loveland, CO
February 2020 – Juried show – Small Works, Five Points Annex Gallery
December 2019 – Juried show – Small Works, West Hartford Art League, West Hartford, Connecticut
December 2018 – Solo show The Smithy Loft Gallery, New Preston, Connecticut
May 2018 – CT+6 Juried Group Exhibit West Hartford Art League, West Hartford, Connecticut November 2016 Solo show – “Explorations – Works on Paper”, Northwestern Connecticut Community College, Winsted, Connecticut
October 2016 – Solo show – The Underground Gallery, Collinsville, Connecticut November 2015 – Solo show – The Underground Gallery, Collinsville, Connecticut

Residencies

Steve Aimone – Online – October, 2021
Judith Kruger Master Residency – MASS MOCA, North Adams, Massachusetts – October, 2018
Aimone Art Services Residency – Atlantic Center of the Arts, New Smyrna, Florida – February, 2018