It's such an exciting day at Well + Wonder! We are thrilled to introduce our Gallery Director, Connor Heindel, as our newest artist on Well + Wonder. Although you may not know this but Connor Heindel has been an integral, behind the scenes, a staple at Well + Wonder Artist Collective for over a year now. Connor has been an artist her whole life and most recently has shown her work with Serena & Lily and we could not be more thrilled that she is now officially ours! Get to know Connor a little bit better by reading our latest blog post - Pardon Me, Connor Heindel...
What is currently on your nightstand?
Chapstick, the book I am currently reading “Artemis” by Andy Weir, and at least 3 water cups I’ve been too lazy to return to the kitchen…it’s all very glamorous!
Tell us about your childhood. What is the most memorable moment as a young person?
The middle of two siblings many of my memorable childhood moments would have them as key players - Everything from Flintstone vitamins up noses (my little sister) to celebrate the big moments like graduations (my brother is even graduating from medical school this week!). I also can’t think of my childhood without thinking of summers at Lake Martin where my family has a cabin. I feel like the days are longer there. It is the perfect place to laze, read, visit, and relax. Some memorable lake moments for me are when I was probably 4 or 5? and learned how to waterski, or when I dedicated days of hard work to extract a plastic baby from a bar of soap – the baby is hideous and to this day sits on the kitchen windowsill.
If you could only have one supply in your art studio, what would it be and why?
If I were being strategic I would say oil pastels or paintsticks because they are so versatile and you wouldn’t need any other tools to create – but my love of pretty things would say Williamsburg Indian yellow paint!
What is your favorite room in your house? Describe it.
The kitchen – all of the good parts happen in the kitchen!
What is your biggest score online?
A $10 pair of polarized sunglasses from Amazon. They're great!
What is the benefit of buying art through a collective? What do you recommend for those that are new to buying original art?
I think collectives are great for being exposed to new artists as well as following the work of artists you already know and love. I know from experience that buying art can sometimes be overwhelming and daunting and collectives help to create a community and a guide when starting a collection. Ultimately, I think that if you love a particular work then it's the perfect piece for you!
What is your favorite hotel and what makes it special?
My family once took a vacation to Wyoming. The last hotel we stayed in was a ranch – I can’t remember the name but I remember it was perfect. It also helped that it started snowing there and it was the end of July!
If you were a lipstick color would you be red, pink, or clear and why?
Neither! I like Chapstick brand chapstick – original flavor (the black one)!
I can never get on a plane without….
Headphones and snacks!
How did you get into the world of art?
I’ve always loved art in all forms. I was so lucky in middle and high school to be exposed to the world of art and to be taught and encouraged by amazing teachers. This love carried over into my college years when after my first year I was searching for a class that I would enjoy in the midst of a competitive college campus. After encouragement from my parents and a few emails pleading to the professor to make space for one more student – I ended up in Painting 111. I had no idea what I was doing in that class but I knew for certain that I loved being there and wanted to follow that feeling throughout my college experience. I continued and at the same time fell back into art after college when I was searching for a job that I found intellectually and creatively inspiring.
What do you do to relax?
I’m a huge tv fan – most evenings usually end in front of the television. I also love to read and can easily find myself wrapped up in the stories and words of another.
When do you get the biggest surge of inspiration?
I feel like inspiration tends to sneak up on me. I can never identify it at the moment but when I reflect on my days, experiences, places I’ve visited and seen I tend to get the itch to create.
Prediction for the Color of 2019?
A pale yellow
Tell us about your favorite painting that you have created.
My senior year in college I painted a series of paintings that were inspired by flowers – no surprise here…my university purchased one of these paintings to hang in their permanent collection “Bouquet I”. I was on my way to a senior party when I got the email, it was a moment of excitement, affirmation, and pure happiness! “Bouquet I” has to be my favorite, if only for the memories.
