Meet Chelsea Heard: Illustrator, Animator, Yoga

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chelsea Heard and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chelsea, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
I believe that balance is an essential part of life. I love doing yoga as a way to decompress and relieve tension in my muscles. As an artist, I’m so used to sitting for long hours, to complete projects, and it can really be a strain on my body. With the break out of the pandemic, and the uncertainties that it brings, it’s understandable to become scared, depressed, unsure etc. These wave of emotions I feel have been something that we all have been dealing with recently. I’ve been bumping in and out of feeling depressed, and yoga, meditation, prayer and art have been my ways of finding balance in my life. I appreciate this new found balance I’ve gained. I have been through many trials in my life that have forced me to adapt to new environments, people, places, and with that, I have gained a new sense of what life is really about. In a way, we all have to learn to adapt and overcome. We all have to be chameleons in life and learn to create new normals for ourselves because life is not constant. It is always moving, ebbing and flowing like water, and as humans we must learn to do the same.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Art has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. It was something that I naturally grew into, like art is a part of me and I am a part of it. From an early age, I had always had this love for creating, and would often hide behind my sketchbooks and canvases. When I was drawing, I was at peace, the world seemed good, and I felt content. My first mentor was actually my grandfather, Luther Hampton. He is an artist in Memphis Tennessee and is widely known for his beautiful wooden sculptures. For me he is just grandpa. I had always had this love for knick-knacks and small detailed things. His small apartment was full of so many intricate sculptures, wooden and stone. His sketchbooks were piled so high they almost touched the ceiling hahaha and I enjoyed those hot summers visiting him and studying every page, every sketch, every color. Now that I’m 22, I have grown artistically. I take influence from all forms of art, I believe that art is limitless, without boundaries and we as artists are the ones that give this energy shape and form. We translate what is around us in multiple forms so that it may be digestible to it’s viewer. I’ve had many inspirations, whether that be anime, manga, nature, family, Salvador Dali, or even Picasso, I chose to take inspiration and create my own. With being an artist, I have had many challenges. I am currently a student at NYU and am juggling schoolwork and multiple projects all at once. At times it can be overwhelming, but it’s what I enjoy doing the most. Art is my best friend. Art, like my family, has been there through many moments with me, whether that be the good or the bad. I can always depend on Art to be there when I need it the most. That connectivity between myself and art is something that I feel will last a lifetime. When people see the works I create, I hope that they feel something. I want to use SilentEchoArt Studios as a way to spread positivity and light into the hearts that need it the most, because I know what it feels like to feel burnt out.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well, being from California and also having experienced New York, I have many fun places I would take friends and family. For California, I would take my friends to the Burger Lounge which has great burgers and fries. Whether you’re vegan or not, it’s the place that is sure to satisfy everyones palette. I would take my friends to the beach. Ponto Beach and Swarmi’s Beach are two of my favorite spots to hang out. Great place to get some sun, watch the sun set and catch some waves hahaha. In New York, I would immediately take some friends to Two Bros. Pizza along St. Marks Street. It’s $1 a slice and the pizza slices are huge!! Then we’d visit some pretty cool thrift shops. New York is the place to go for thrifting. I feel it’s important to let your friends know that they can dress nicely without breaking the bank, if you just know where to go. Beacon’s Closet is the place to go. It’s located on West 13th Street 6 avenue. I shopped there all the time especially to decompress after a long week at school and work.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I give first and foremost God the glory. Without him, I would not be here today. Everyday is a battle and without God, life would be so much harder to bear. My family, my close circle of friends, and of course my cats.

Website: www.silentechoart.com
Instagram: @officialsilentecho_art
Twitter: @Pixney16Chelsea
Facebook: SilentEchoArt or Chelsea Heard
Other: Also I’m pretty easy to find on all media platforms. My profile pictures are all the same hahha.