A smiling woman with blonde hair, wearing a dark cardigan and an apron with paint splatters. She is seated in front of a wooden background, holding a paintbrush.

Heather Neilson

Heather Neilson is an abstract painter who explores energy, stillness, clarity, and restraint. Through building and revealing layers, she seeks a sense of grace, beauty, and openness. Her paintings evoke hazy memories, perhaps a landscape, perhaps the fleeting sensation of moving while remaining in place. They exist between expansiveness and grounding, between light and dark.

Heather lives and works in Northwest Connecticut. She studied at the Art Students League of New York and holds a B.A. in Communications from Rutgers University. Her work has been exhibited throughout New England and is held in private collections across the United States.

In addition to her studio practice, Heather teaches abstract painting classes and workshops and has been trained as a GOLDEN Artist Educator and Silver Brush Educator.

Education
1996-1998 Independent Studies Art Students League of New York, New York, NY

1987-1989 B.A. Communications Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ

Gallery Representation
Alofft Gallery, Litchfield, CT

Select Exhibitions

2026 A Nation of Vision - Silvermine Galleries, New Canaan, CT

2025 Abstract Meditations - The Judy Black Memorial Park, Washington Depot, CT

2025 Solo Exhibition - Chase Gallery, West Hartford, CT

2025 Mixed Media Invitational, Kent Art Association, Kent, CT

2024 Connecticut Women Artists, National Juried Show - Slater Museum, Norwich, CT

2024 Renewal - Kehler Liddell Gallery, New Haven, CT

2022 Solo Exhibition - The Norfolk Library - Norfolk, CT

2022 Five CT Women, Kent Art Association - Kent, CT

2020 National Fine Art Show – Lincoln Gallery, Loveland, CO

2020 Small Works, Five Points Annex Gallery, Torrington, CT

2018 CT+6 West Hartford Art League, West Hartford, CT, Jack Richeson Award

2018 Solo Exhibition - The Smithy Loft Gallery, New Preston, CT

2016 Solo Exhibition - Northwestern Connecticut Community College, Winsted, CT

2015 &
2016 Solo Exhibition - The Underground Gallery, Collinsville, CT

Residencies
2026 Jen Tough Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
2021, 2018, 2017 Steve Aimone Art Services - New Smyrna, FL, Thomaston, ME, Online
2018 Judith Kruger Master Residency – MASS MOCA, North Adams, MA

Abstract painting with geometric shapes and muted earth tones including beige, cream, black, and gray.

Heather’s paintings create a calm, grounding presence through layered color, softened forms, and a quiet sense of balance.

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