Heather Patterson

My work is an intuitive gathering of imagery stemming from the natural world. I recreate geographic patterns and forms, and then layer them to make up new systems in the environment. By analyzing the biological and structural phenomena, I find similarities between their elements. For example: The way a topographical map echoes grain of wood, or how gnarled tree branches are reminiscent of the intertwining veins in a human body, or how lichen on a boulder can resemble mutating microscopic cells. I am interested in the imperfections in nature, the complete randomness yet undisturbed instances of subtle perfection.  

By layering varied imagery through drawing and painting, a sense of fragmented time emerges, a documentation of events. I use a variety of media to create a multi-sensory experience. The interaction of the materials becomes an important part of the process. I allow the contrasting substances to mix randomly in areas while manipulating other areas by carving, dripping, melting, taping, or spraying the surface. This system of addition and reduction allows me to magnify the unexpected, creating an imaginary subsurface.

See more of Heather’s work and studio