Student Success Story: Heather Close

A creative thread that never quite disappeared

Heather’s connection to art began early. She loved it as a child and carried that love through school, only to step away at fourteen as her studies took a more scientific turn. Although she stepped away formally, the instinct to create never fully left her.

In the years that followed, art returned in smaller, intermittent ways. She attended local classes and painted when she could, keeping a steady but secondary connection. Alongside this, her life as a regenerative farmer deepened her relationship with the natural world, shaping how she observed, understood, and valued what surrounded her.

This way of seeing, rooted in attention and care, would later become central to her artistic practice.

When observation outpaced expression

Before the course, Heather found herself increasingly drawn to the plantain plant. Often dismissed as a weed, it revealed remarkable complexity when examined closely, from its delicate structures to subtle shifts in colour and form.

The challenge was not in observing it, but in expressing it. Her work at the time was largely representational, focused on capturing what was visible rather than what was felt. This created a growing tension between her experience of the landscape and the limitations of how it appeared in her work.

“I was trying to figure out ways to represent it. My head was hurting.”

Recognising alignment in an unexpected place

The turning point began with a moment of recognition. While exploring ideas and seeking direction, Heather came across Nicola Bennett’s work online. There was an immediate sense of alignment in how everyday materials were translated into an abstract visual language.

What Nicola was doing with food mirrored what Heather had been attempting with plants and pasture. It was not a direct comparison, but a shared way of seeing that opened new possibilities.

A brief pause before enrolling was driven by practical considerations rather than doubt. However, it quickly became clear that this was an opportunity worth taking.

Arriving for techniques, finding something deeper

Initially, Heather expected to gain new techniques and practical skills. What unfolded was far more layered. The course proved thoughtful and carefully structured, with a clear intention behind every element.

Nicola’s teaching was open and personal, grounded in experience and delivered with generosity. This created an environment where exploration felt supported rather than directed, allowing each participant to find their own way through the material.

“The course was so beautifully put together. You could feel the care behind it.”

As Heather progressed, she kept returning to the content, each time uncovering new insights and connections.

The moment commitment took hold

A significant shift occurred when Heather realised she was fully engaged in the process. This was not about completing a course, but about committing to her own practice in a deeper, more sustained way.

“I realised I was going to finish it. And then watch it again and again.”

This moment marked a quiet yet important turning point. It reflected not only the strength of the course itself, but also Heather’s readiness to move beyond occasional engagement and step into something more consistent.

Learning to let the work lead

One of the most meaningful changes in Heather’s approach has been learning patience. Where she once felt compelled to resolve a painting quickly, she now allows space for the work to develop over time.

Paintings are left to sit, sometimes for weeks, creating distance and perspective. In that pause, a new clarity emerges, one that cannot be forced.

“I’ve left a painting for three or four weeks and then suddenly I know what it needs.”

This shift has also brought a greater sense of authenticity to her work. Rather than creating what might be expected or recognised, she now follows what feels true, even when it leads to unexpected or less conventional outcomes.

A practice that continues to evolve

The learning from the course has extended beyond its duration. Heather continues to revisit the material, uncovering new layers of understanding each time. The course structure has allowed her to move fluidly between techniques and ideas, building a practice that is both flexible and deeply personal.

Her work remains closely tied to the land, with seasonal changes providing both inspiration and direction. Each return to familiar subjects offers an opportunity to see them differently, explore new interpretations, and deepen her connection.

This ongoing evolution reflects a practice that is alive and responsive rather than fixed.

Taking the work seriously

Perhaps the most significant transformation has been internal. Heather now approaches her work with greater purpose and commitment. Art is no longer something that sits alongside her life but something that actively shapes it.

“I take myself more seriously. I take my art more seriously.”

This shift has brought growing confidence. She has begun entering exhibitions and open calls, stepping into spaces that once felt uncertain. There is also a clearer sense of identity as an artist, one that continues to develop and is now fully acknowledged.