heather brown

interview from hawaiimode at : http://www.hawaiimode.com/en/top/interview/5919.htm

Who is Heather Brown?
Name: Heather Brown
Occupation: Artist
Residence: North Shore
Hobbies: Surfing
Home Break: Pops
Heather Brown is local artist living on the North Shore who has attracted worldwide attention for her unique and vibrant work. Hawaiimode was lucky enough to get a chance to sit down and talk with her about her love of surfing, her life and her art. .

Ｑ：Where did you learn to surf?

Ａ：In Waikiki! Yeah, it's funny because I was actually learning how to surf as I was going to art school. It took me about three months to learn until I was pretty good and could catch waves on my own. At first, it's frustrating when you are learning but you have to get over that and work with it.

Ｑ：Where is your favorite place to surf on Oahu?

Ａ：My favorite place to surf is Pops in Waikiki. That's where I learned how to surf and it's my favorite wave. It's a long ride and it always seems like the conditions are perfect. When it comes to the North Shore I love Chun's, Ali'i, Pu'ena point. . .


Ｑ：What inspires you?

Ａ：Living in Hawaii. I am always observing the world around me and that's usually what ends up on my canvas. When I lived in town, I painted a lot of high-rise buildings because I was around high-rises all the time.


Ｑ：What are your feelings about the local art scene?

Ａ：I think that it's growing. The First Friday event in Chinatown is getting more popular. It seems that each first Friday is getting busier and busier. Haleiwa has started a program that kind of copies First Friday called Last Saturday, where galleries are opening up at night with appetizers and music.

Ｑ：How would you say you differ from other local artists?

Ａ：I think I take a different spin on it. I take the same material that they're painting but I do it in my own style which is more of an abstract, almost cartoon-like style. It's the same subject matter but I try to bring a younger, fresher way. Sometimes people are scared to break the rules because that's what people are buying, that's what sells. It can be scary to be different; you might not know how to find the audience for your work.

Ｑ：Has the internet helped you to find an audience?

Ａ：The internet is a tremendously useful tool. I don't even know if I could have been where I am today without it. Everyone is on the Web. In Waikiki, Good Art gallery has a homepage where they can send my work to Japan for reasonable prices.


Ｑ：Do you use it often?

Ａ：As far as blogging, I have a Piper Girls account at Foam magazine. I post pictures of my newest paintings, put on new events like shows or anything else going on with me and my art.