Student Success Story: Heather Miller

When slowing down changed everything

Heather's first shift wasn't about technique; it was about managing pressure. Initially, like many starting an online course, she felt a need to keep pace with others. Seeing her fellow artists rapidly complete the modules created an implicit pressure to speed up her own work.

Then something changed. Heather realised she did not need to work at anyone else’s speed. Instead of rushing forward, she allowed herself to stay with ideas longer, revisit processes, and properly explore what interested her. That decision became one of the most important moments of the course. It gave her permission to work in a way that felt sustainable, thoughtful, and genuinely enjoyable.

From background prints to a new way of seeing

Before the course, Heather describes her gel printing as “dabbling”. She enjoyed the spontaneity of the process, but often treated the prints as supporting material rather than finished work in themselves. Occasionally, something would emerge that felt exciting, but she did not yet understand how to push the process further or build upon those discoveries.

Tara’s course opened that door. Through structured modules, Heather began to understand the relationship between colour, layering, composition, collage, texture, and repetition. She learnt how small decisions affected the outcome of a print, from the amount of paint on the plate to the way colours could be carried across a composition to create harmony.

The change in materials also transformed her experience. Moving from standard acrylics to Golden Open paints and using a Speedball roller altered the quality of the prints almost immediately. Heather described the paint as feeling “like butter”, flowing more smoothly and allowing her to achieve results she had previously struggled to reach.

Learning through layers, artists, and experimentation

One of the aspects Heather valued most was the way the course gradually built upon itself. Each module introduced new techniques while quietly reinforcing earlier lessons, allowing previous skills to reappear naturally in later work. By the time she reached her final exhibition piece, she realised how many different processes had become intertwined.

The course also introduced her to artists whose work expanded her thinking, including Helen Frankenthaler, Lee Krasner, Lindy Lee, and Rosalie Gascoigne. Rather than simply studying their aesthetics, Heather used their approaches as entry points into experimentation. She explored tissue collage, monoprinting, oil crayons, botanicals, weathered surfaces, photo transfers, and layered paper constructions, slowly discovering how these ideas could evolve into something personal.

Equally important was the practice of documenting everything. Heather filled journals with notes, samples, photographs, references, and fragments of process. The act of recording became part of the work itself, helping her recognise connections between ideas and return to discoveries she might otherwise have forgotten.

A practice rooted in play, wellbeing, and possibility

Since taking the course, Heather feels her confidence has grown significantly. More than anything, she speaks about permission: permission to explore further, to make mistakes, to follow curiosity, and to continue developing work without needing immediate answers.

Art, for Heather, is deeply connected to well-being. She describes it as both therapy and a way of remaining connected to herself through life’s challenges. Creativity is not something separate from daily life, but something that sustains it. “I wouldn’t be without art,” she reflected during the interview, describing her studio practice as essential rather than optional.

That sense of play now extends into the way she moves through the world. Walks outside have become opportunities to notice textures, weeds, flowers, driftwood, and found materials that might hold potential for printing. Everyday objects and overlooked surfaces have become part of an expanded visual language.

A community that encouraged sharing

Heather also found enormous value in the Take Two community itself. The private Facebook group became a place where students could share experiments, mistakes, questions, and unfinished work without fear of judgement. For Heather, that atmosphere of openness made the experience richer and more encouraging.

She appreciated the generosity within the group, both from fellow students and from Tara herself. Questions were answered thoughtfully, ideas were exchanged freely, and students were encouraged to support one another’s growth. The combination of live interaction, resource materials, tutor feedback, and technical support created what Heather described as a genuinely caring environment.

Importantly, the experience reminded her that learning does not need to happen in isolation. Seeing how other artists approached the same prompts often opened unexpected pathways within her own work.

Carrying the learning forward

The course's influence is already extending beyond Heather’s own studio. Working within a school environment, she has begun introducing students to techniques such as gel printing and photo transfers, adapting what she learned into accessible creative exercises for younger artists. She has seen how these processes can help students build confidence quickly, especially those who struggle with traditional drawing methods.

At the same time, Heather continues developing her own practice. She is experimenting with abstract forms, sculptural elements, layered photography, collage, and painted surfaces, often combining techniques from multiple modules into a single piece. Rather than feeling confined by process, she now feels encouraged to keep pushing further.

She is also beginning to reshape her life around making. With plans to reduce her working hours, join a local art group, and eventually participate in open studio events, Heather feels increasingly ready to give her practice more space. There is a quiet confidence in the way she speaks about the future now, grounded not in certainty, but in momentum.

Heather’s advice to future students

Heather Miller highly recommends Tara Axford's Gel Printing course (Art & Design with Tara Axford), urging others to prioritize their creative development and simply begin. She recognizes that many, particularly women accustomed to putting others first, hesitate to invest time or money in their own creativity.

For Heather, the course delivered much more than technical skills. It provided valuable structure, encouragement, a sense of community, and the freedom to experiment without the pressure of needing to succeed. She views mistakes as a vital part of the learning process, noting that some of the most compelling work often arises when things don't go according to plan.

She advises future students to maintain their curiosity, work at a comfortable pace, and fully engage with the artistic journey. Ultimately, the course served as a significant reminder for Heather: creativity is a powerful means of self-care, maintaining openness, and continuous personal growth.