Bio

Born in the city of Huntsville, Alabama, Celeste Heery's journey into the world of art took her on a scenic route through the verdant suburbs of horse country, located 60 minutes west of the bustling activity of Washington, D.C. Her childhood, enveloped in the tranquility of the countryside, cultivated a deep sensitivity and appreciation for nature's beauty, attributes which would later define her artistic endeavors.
Surprisingly, it wasn't until she was 36 that Celeste experienced the epiphany that would pivot her path towards art. Although creativity ran in her veins — her father, a self-taught representational artist, served as a familial inspiration — Celeste initially traversed the world of academia, earning a B.A. in Philosophy and an M.P.A. from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. While her academic pursuits included art classes, both formally and through independent study, her career initially blossomed in the realm of environmental policy. Life's unexpected currents shifted her course, steering her away from policy and into the vibrant world of abstract art, where her true calling awaited.

Celeste draws inspiration from the emotive essence of love, the untamed beauty of nature, the serene majesty of mountains, and the soul-stirring strains of music. Her affinity for abstract art is informed by an attraction to color, composition, movement, and emotion. Rather than beginning with a preconceived notion, Heery surrenders to the chromatic symphony that unfolds on her canvas, her color choices guiding the creation of each piece. This intuitive process has yielded a unique style — an homage to Jonas Gerard, blended with her own vivid and emotional flair.

Her artistic technique paints in the bold strokes of Gerard, de Kooning, Kandinsky, and Pollock. These influences are interwoven into her creative signature, evoking vivid colors and stirring emotions that elicit joy and introspection from new and seasoned collectors alike. She speaks through her art, an eloquent conversation, sometimes whispered, sometimes shouted, always revealing hidden images and complex movements.

Among her most cherished projects was the exhilarating challenge she embraced in 2018, when she completed 20 large paintings in a single month for a last-minute exhibition. Her ability to rise to this occasion showcased not just her talent, but her commitment and passion. She showcased these achievements in "In the Moment," an exhibition at Mulberry Art Studios in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and her art has also decorated walls in galleries throughout North Carolina and South Carolina.

Though deviantART honored two of her pieces, Celeste envisions an artistic future that sees her entering and contributing to the Richmond, Virginia art scene, an aspiration fueled by her belief in art's transformative societal role. Echoes of joy, movement, and hidden imagery reverberate through the testimonials of admirers, as young professionals and the elderly alike find solace and stimulus in her vibrant pieces.

Beyond the canvas, Celeste's curiosity extends to the realms of poetry, hiking, and Geocaching, pursuits that fuel her creative spirit and reflect her philosophical roots. As she forges ahead, Celeste Heery's work remains an indelible reflection of her values, marrying the lyrical beauty of nature with the limitless freedom of abstract expression.