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Art medium(s): Mostly oil paint, but I also work often in charcoal, acrylic and pastels.

How do you describe your art? Greatly inspired by nature, and I hope my personal artwork brings the viewer a peaceful feeling.

Were you always interested in following a creative path? Yes. I have absolutely loved to draw and paint since I was a young child. I always knew I wanted to have a career in the creative world.

What does your “day-in-the-life” look like? I am an art teacher at Kimberly High School, and I love working with our great students and being a part of their journey. I am also an active artist, and oftentimes after my kids are in bed, I am working on my own projects or commissioned pieces. In the summer my days are all about my kids, and I try to also fit more time in for working on artwork during the day.

Where do you get your creative inspiration? Many of my personal pieces are inspired by photos I have taken or moments that have inspired me. I also love painting animals with a strong light source in the composition. I also love to paint people in my family and feel them come to life before my eyes as I am painting them.

Why do you love what you do? I love helping students in creating their art. I love seeing them feel proud of themselves and develop confidence and know they can do more than they realize! I’m grateful for the relationships that are formed as well. As an artist, I love what I do because I am able to help others’ visions come to life. That brings me great joy! I often draw or paint portraits as well as pets, and I’ve enjoyed painting a number of murals in the last couple of years as well. I am discovering I love the challenge of working larger and helping create the mood of the space in a building to make it come to life with the vision of the client. I’ve done several murals in homes, and I am especially grateful for my experiences painting murals in the last couple years at Tipsy Taco and Tequila Bar. I absolutely love the Frida Kahlo theme!

One thing most people don’t know about being an artist, in your opinion: That no matter how much you “LOVE” to create, it still takes motivation and a good kick in the butt sometimes to make yourself get to work. I always find that “you just have to start” and then the creative flow begins to find itself. I remind my students of this feeling, so they know it’s perfectly “normal” to not feel like you’re in the mood to work on your art—that it’s just an excuse you have to bust through!

Early bird or night owl? In the summer, I am definitely a night owl because it’s not as important to be up early and on the go. And even in the school year, I always tell myself “tomorrow you need to go to bed earlier, lol!” But I really want to be a true early bird—someday—up before the sun rises!

Last movie you watched or book you read: Last movie was Inside Out 2 with my kids. I absolutely loved it!

Is the glass half full or half empty? Half full.

What makes you happiest: Being on a hike somewhere beautiful in the woods or near water with my husband and two kids.

Find Heather at www.heatherlynnschaefer.com and on Facebook: Heather Schaefer Art.