Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Sportsman.
Hi Heather, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was teaching high school full-time. Loved my job. I got reignited I should say during the pandemic. We all had some downtime during the lockdown. Between teaching my high school classes virtually and staying inside, I began to draw more, research more, and discovered I still had some talent after a personal art hiatus for about 10 years. I started creating digital portraits on my iPad using Procreate, things took off with my digital portraits. It became a nice side hustle to teaching full-time. I created my own coloring book inspired by my mom and her favorite scriptures, called ColorMyVerses, I applied to my first art show in years with BlkArthouse and was accepted.
I started to gain a very small amount of attention with my art, but it was energizing to be back out there connecting with the public scene, sharing my views, and inspiring others with my art. I established H. Sportsman Art as an official business and began offering fine art, prints, coloring books, digital graphics, and commissioned artwork. I was charged up! I trademarked ColorMyVerses so it became officially mine… that was empowering. I made a checklist of places I wanted to show my artwork, and DID.
I now serve as Chair to the Artist Advisory Board at BlkArthouse, the very first entity that accepted my work when I started out. I’ve created an art class on Skillshare that is doing quite well and have been accepted into their invitation only Teach Corps for rising and excellent teachers on Skillshare. Look out for my next class on portraits soon! I’m now a Brand Ambassador for Adobe Express which is pretty cool. Adobe is doing amazing things and tech certainly is on the rise. I mean, I taught myself how to do digital portraits in the first place and create a coloring book. It’s a useful skill to have! It’s sooooooo much more, but let me stop here….
All of these things were great, but not enough… Something was still tugging at me. I had to make a move. A BIG ONE. And I did. The stress, the pressure, the anxiety, wasn’t allowing me to pour into my craft or myself as I knew God was calling me to. So, as I type this, I’m on my 4th day officially as a full time artist. I resigned from teaching art after 11 years.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I wouldn’t know a smooth road if I saw one. Or if it was, I’m sure there’s a big pothole waiting for me somewhere, quicksand or something. You are probably laughing, but I’m serious! Listen, let’s just take this past year for example. September 2021, baseless accusations against me regarding my business, lost a student in a terrible car accident, 2 weeks later, October 2021, survived a school shooting, trauma, trauma, trauma, January 2022, more baseless accusations, foolishness, health starts to dwindle, February 2022, leave of absence/short term disability, anxiety, about 45 lb weight loss, April 2022 return to work from leave, circumstances not better, probably worse, June 2022 husband and I got COVID for the first time, couldn’t finish the school year, couldn’t celebrate anniversary either (June 4), and missed the deadline for 2nd Skillshare class, August 2022 couldn’t complete any work for solo show, September 2022 missed a whole week of work due to loss of aunt (2nd mom), gave 2-week notice because why?
Life is too short to be living unhappily and not in line with your purpose. My job was posted before I even left. What’s so amazing is I SHORTLISTED the struggles. And although there were many, I was so protected the entire time I was going through all of them. Thanks to Jehovah. All of the obstacles, challenges, potholes, and quicksand, traps, and the ones that put them there, thank you. All you did was strengthen my faith and build my confidence.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a visual artist and an educator. I specialize in portraits, murals, commissions, and private art lessons. Portraiture work allows me to really study people and get their story, their values, what makes them whole. It gives them and myself a moment to pause and be human. We are always on the go so much and this world is made for us to be that way. Never taking the time to just stop and observe. This is also why the majority of my work includes aspects of nature. Florals, clouds, etc. Now that I’m no longer teaching in the classroom, I can teach in the way that works for me. Skillshare allows me to do this and make passive income but I also love the 1:1 interaction of private art lessons as well! I am most proud of my reliance on Jehovah and not my own abilities. Nothing that I do comes from me. NOTHING. This is what helps to keep me grounded. Yes, I’ve been drawing and painting since I was a child, that I went to college, and earned my degree in this. However, this talent was given to me. I was chosen. Plenty of people have gifts. But this is the one I was chosen to receive. When you have a gift, you cherish it and you pay it forward. I’m choosing to share my gift with the world. You don’t have to like my art. I’m showing appreciation that I received it. Not seeking your applause.
What sets me apart from others is knowing that my ability is not of my own accord and that I truly embrace who I am, authentically and that speaks through my work. Unpopular, not trendy, classic, me. This is why a lot of my work is autobiographical right now. I have so much to say, so many stories to tell. YES, it’s my face in the painting. It’s not me being conceited. I’m just trying to be heard and seen! The way I vocalize my stories is through my artwork. This takes quite a bit of passion, courage, and vulnerability that most people would never be willing to put themselves through. This goes into every lesson, mural, and art piece I create. Just something you’d have to experience yourself. Visit my website and book a consultation or become a collector of my works.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
Hanging out with my big sister. She taught me so much. I wanted to be wherever she was. I didn’t have many friends growing up and was teased/bullied a lot. But my big sister always let me be around her. We are 11 years apart so she’s also kind of like mom #2. Sometimes, we’d wash her pretty red mustang with the rims, and just ride out. No real destination in mind. Just vibing, listening to music, and talking. I thought that was so much fun. Things were simple and we are still close like that to this day.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.hsportsmanart.com
- Instagram: heather@hsportsmanart.com
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/SportsmanArt
- Other: https://www.skillshare.com/en/profile/Heather-Sportsman/32247096
Image Credits
“Mr. Pete” Private Commission 2022
