Artist Bio

It's hard to pin point exactly when I began making art. Creating things has always been in my genes. My love and passion for the arts was passed down by my parents and grandparents.  My paternal grandmother painted ceramic plates and taught me how to sew and create Fabergé eggs. My maternal grandmother loved watercolor, silly poetry, and knitting bizarre items that would have made it into her Museum of Bad Taste. My parents were more into the performing arts and enjoyed clogging and playing numerous instruments.  So, naturally as soon as I could hold a pencil and a brush, I began creating art of my own at an easel in our driveway or kitchen. I also played fiddle in our family old-time band - that is I played one tune and then climbed into my sleeping bag back stage. But that is neither here nor there.

Itwas at Appalachian State University where I received my 4 year degree in art education. Within the first week of school, I met my husband who minored in theatre and later proposed by playing an original song on acoustic guitar.  

After graduation I quickly landed a teaching job at a local middle school and have enjoyed sharing my passion with my art students ever since. 

When I'm not busy with school, church activities, or caring for two boys of my own, I love painting, especially acrylics due to their versatility and quick drying times. I find myself working on one extreme or the other - small 6x6" canvases of the Whirligig Park or large scale murals that beautify the walls of schools, churches, and doctor’s offices. My father and I also collaborated to co-author and illustrate a children's book - Freddy the Frog - My Little Friend. More recently I've used instruments as my canvas because it brings me back to my family roots and weaves together all forms of art. My subjects typically include tiger's eyes as it is our school mascot, the Whirligig Park, and floral designs. I guess I could attribute it to my time in Boone and my love for nature and the outdoors. It seems that everywhere I go, I love to leave my mark - whether it's the walls in the tunnels under the streets in Boone, the walls of the schools in which I teach, or the minds of young people discovering their talents and dreams. I create because I was created and well, because it's in my genes. 

Contact: heatherstapp@gmail.com