Hamptons Artists Annette Heller | Annette Heller |
 "Stairs at School" by Annette Heller In addition to parenting, I received a degree as a school psychologist, and became a teacher and entrepreneur. When the kids left to high school I concentrated on my business career. I was time challenged especially holding down two jobs -- mother and business woman. But even in this career my sense of color and design came through in planning the decor of my offices. While the kids were at school, I started a company called Art to Wear. I designed and made jewelry of all types and designs, learned the technique of "lost wax" casting and purchased a centrifugal casting machine to cast some of the silver and gold pieces. I sold jewelry at fairs and outdoor markets and several of my designs were purchased by Bergdorf Goodman in New York City and Nubest in Manhasset, NY. Later in my life when the kids left home for college, I went into the consumer research business and designed a large consumer research facility where people gathered to express their opinions (Long Island Groups in Focus.) In my next career, I provided input into the design and colors of the snack food products of our family company, Harry's Premium Snacks. When in 2002 we moved to East Hampton after selling our businesses, I started taking courses in art. I narrowed my choices in the beginning to oil and acrylic on various surfaces. I also chose abstract art as my mode of expression. Why abstract? Because it is a representation of pure color, form and shape. But even more important, it is the only form of art where the viewer brings his or her perceptions into the art. Despite the fact that a specific painting may be a unique combination of colors and shapes inspired by real life moods and experiences, viewers tell me that they see many things in my art. Some say they see animals, insects, lighthouses, faces and in one case -- a piano. In all these works none of these objects were drawn, but the mood of the painting yielded the perception. I got tremendous satisfaction when one colleague suggested that one of my works represented a Parisian Bistro. So in a way I can represent a mood or feeling in an abstract work better than in a representational work. And also I can choose to work in an infinite variety of palate colors because I do not have to represent a specific object. |
| Canvas Printing |
|
Printing on canvas is incredibly versatile and a great way to create a ready-to-hang image or artwork. Every canvas that we print is protected with a UV coated acrylic finish to guard the print from dust, moisture and fading. Do you want your canvas stretched on bars or non-stretched? Framed or unframed? Customize the work to make it truly your own. |
| Art of Photography |
|
When families get together, both children and adults love to look through photograph albums. They enjoy seeing the childhood photos of older family members and compare themselves to ancestors who lived a hundred or more years ago. Photos are among the most important treasures of every family. They should not be faded and dull. They contain the smiles, tears and emotions of generations. The staff members at Hampton Photo Arts display excellence in the art of photography reproduction. They work with the highest quality materials. They know how to create family memories that will be just as beautiful one hundred years from now as they are today. |
Photography is an amazing art form. A photograph album is a catalogue of life's history as seen through the camera. People, animals, nature, holidays, celebrations and even disasters are captured instantly and recorded as part of history. It is through the powerful presentations of photography that we better understand the progression of time and life. Hampton Photo Arts has over twenty years of experience working with photographers as they seek to capture and preserve the history of families and communities.| Learning to Paint Watercolors |
|
Watercolor is an easy, fun medium for creating art. Color theory, composition and design can be explored freely with watercolor paint, paper, and brushes. Several techniques may be used with watercolors for varying effects including painting wet on wet, wet on dry, layering washes, and more. Watercolor paper comes in cold press, hot press, and rough. Rough paper has the most texture, and its hills and valleys can result in interesting effects when paint is added. Hot press is the smoothest and has the finest texture. Cold press has a moderate amount of texture and is the paper most commonly chosen by watercolor artists. Watercolor paper comes in several weights ranging from 90 lb. to 300 lb. based on the pounds per ream of paper. Most artists prefer to use at least 140 lb. paper. Papers vary somewhat between manufacturers, so sampling different papers is advisable. Paper can be purchased in pads, in blocks or in large sheets. The large sheets are usually the most economical and can be torn into whatever size is desired. |