A Short Biography of the Artist

While a student at VCU, Heidi’s work was accepted in Richmond galleries, and a large (10 ft tall) piece she did made from metal and mattress stuffing was so well received by the faculty that they had it placed in the University Library’s main entrance where it remained for many months.

She graduated in 1981 as one of the top students in her department.

She spent a semester studying at the University of Southern California in Long Beach before moving to Boston, where she worked as a jewelry repair person in a few shops, including Lustre Diamonds, and eventually ended up as one of the main jewelry repair experts at prestigious Shreve, Crump and Low.

She began entering her work in shows around the country. Her work was seen in galleries in New York City, Seattle, St. Louis, and Boston.

She was then hired to teach jewelry making at the Brookline Center for the Arts where she stayed for many years. She also taught a semester at the Newton Jewish Community Center.

She had major articles written about her work published in the Allston Brighton Journal newspaper and Prelude magazine, and was a featured artist at the prestigious Goldsmith Gallery at Copley Place. She was then profiled in “The Encyclopedia of American Artists.”

Meanwhile, she took courses in Gemology from the Gemological Institute of America.

By the late 80s, she had began to design armor sculptures and other large wearable art pieces and enter them in costume competitions. Each win advanced her standing in the New England Costumer’s Guild and she became a “Master” ranking in record time. She entered her work in the science fiction convention Worldcon when it was in Boston in 1990 and won for “Best Craftsmanship” against competitors from all over the world.

She was then accepted at the Massachusetts College of Art where she worked on her Masters Degree in Metalsmithing. While there, she had showings at the Boston Museum and taught undergraduate students at the College. Her thesis show was covered by The Boston Phoenix who recommended it.

During this time, she began the New England Roleplaying Organization with her husband and others, which runs live action games and renaissance faires. She began making armor from leather for herself and friends and began operating a booth at the New Jersey and New York Renaissance Faires under the name "The NERO Emporium."

In early 2000, she was invited by the Hammond Gallery at Fitchburg State College in Massachusetts to have a month long retrospective of her work. Her lecture to the faculty and students was widely attended and well received.

In 1999, it was discovered that she had a cancerous tumor in her upper right arm which had to be surgically removed through a series of hospital stays, radiation treatments, and operations. This necessiated the removal of her upper arm muscle, limiting the use of her arm. As such can no longer work in metal. Despite the great work by the doctors, the tumor keeps reappearing, requiring more operations, the most recent in May of 2006.

Heidi continues on, determined to make the best art she can with her limitations. She began working in polymer and other materials, and has recently found that dryer lint can make a very interesting medium as well! Her work has won her awards, and the dolls have been featured in Contemporary Doll Crafter magazine and elsewhere.

She and her husband celebrated their 25th year of marriage in 2007. They enjoy hearing the pitter patter of little feet (they have four cats).