Fishing Buddies and more art by Heather Bergstrom

Fishing Buddies 12" x 12" Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas Artist: Heather Bergstrom This painting was inspired by a photograph the artist took of a rather comical pair of companions on the shore of Anna Maria Island, FL: an opportunistic great blue heron looking on expectantly for the moment when the fisherman "lands a big one"! Unframed. Ready to hang.

My art is an expression of the joy and wonder I experience as I go through my personal journey in life. I often choose to paint or draw poignant scenes which translate to archetypal feelings of contentment, nostalgia, and/or joie de vivre for the viewer. My inspiration comes from childhood memories, nature, history; just about anything that exudes positive emotions, or simply piques my curiosity. To quote Henri Matisse, "What I dream of is an art of balance, of purity and serenity, devoid of troubling or depressing subject matter, ... for example, a soothing, calming influence on the mind, something like a good armchair which provides relaxation from physical fatigue…” (“Matisse in His Own Words.” Quotes by Henri Matisse, www.henri-matisse.net/quotes.html.).

I especially enjoy creating art that tells a story. Whether I am working on a charcoal drawing or an acrylic painting, I enjoy watching the very heart and soul of my subject appear before me. I love experiencing the narrative as it changes and deepens every time I create.