In life as in her art Haynes is at heart a happy fatalist. What happens is meant to happen, she says. Painting is about taking chances and trusting your instincts; you shouldn't think too much.

Biography

Heather Haynes lives in a refurbished old schoolhouse in the picturesque Thousand Islands district of Ontario, Canada. Along with her husband and their two sons she enjoys all the pleasures of country living.

A visual disorder in her childhood impaired her reading, and schoolwork suffered. Surprisingly Haynes excelled in art class and the subject became her heartfelt focus. Her parents were supportive of her love of art and after high school she enrolled in the visual arts program at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario.

Haynes was determined to be a visual artist and avoid an academic career. She began selling funky hats and little paintings at a local market. The paintings became increasingly popular and her husband's decision to purchase and renovate the old schoolhouse included the building of a fully equipped studio.

Her first shows were bi-annual exhibitions out of her studio. These were met with great enthusiasm by local collectors and the young artist soon developed an ardent following. Before long she was showing in galleries. In addition to her paintings Haynes has illustrated two acclaimed childrens' books with art lover and author Joanne Langlois.

The last few years have seen the artist's work gain international attention. Her paintings are in many private and corporate collections.