Our newest FACE of Memphis got her first taste of creating art as a child. Though she grew up mainly in Memphis, Heather Howle‘s family spent a few years in Anchorage, AK, for her father’s job as a FedEx pilot. Heather clearly remembers making papier mâché at an art camp there — and feeling drawn in by the texture and hands-on nature of the medium. That early fascination with materials carried into her later work in collage and mixed media. Please welcome our newest FACE of Memphis, Heather Howle.
How did your career path lead you to becoming a full-time artist?
I got a degree in commercial aviation at the University of Memphis, and all my flight ratings at a flight school in Olive Branch. I then flew commercial and private, and was employed by Southern Airways Express and SkyWest for a few years. After being both a pilot and an artist for several years, I found my true passion was always art, and I eventually decided to pursue it full-time. It was a gradual decision; I hated being away from home and wanted a family.
What has been your biggest challenge in pursuing art as a career?
Financially, it’s always a bit of a struggle. But the rewards are worth the risk!
What do you love most about being a visual artist?
I love mixing colors; I find color theory so fascinating. There is always more room to grow and “flex” your skills. Art reflects what you learn from life, and you never stop learning from life.
Where do you draw your inspiration?
International travel! The places I have found the most inspiring are Nepal, Cambodia, Thailand, Istanbul, Marrakech, and Mexico City.
If you had to describe your artistic “brand,” what three words would you choose?
Dark. Lavender. Butterflies.
Tell us some of the amazing places we can find your art.
Collected by Elizabeth Malmo in Laurelwood, online at Well & Wonder, or through my Instagram page @heatherhowleart.
Where can we find you when you aren’t working?
At a coffee shop with my son, Louie.
What’s your best piece of advice?
Just scratch the surface. This metaphor speaks to the idea that artistic depth comes with time and sustained engagement. An artist who returns to the same theme repeatedly often uncovers new insights or emotional layers they hadn’t accessed before. That’s when the work begins to resonate on a more profound level — not only for the artist but for the audience, who can sense the complexity and authenticity beneath the surface.
Aside from faith, friends, and family, what are three things you can’t live without?
My phone, my bed, and good art supplies.
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