Gro Heining

About Gro

Gro Heining is a self-taught Norwegian painter (b. 1949). Since 1982 she has had 45 exhibitions in Norway, USA, Spain and Italy. Oslo Painting School (1985), Olav Mosebekk Drawing and Painting School (1996) and painting workshops in Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA (1991)

From 1987 Gro lived several years in the picturesque landscape of Santa Fe, New Mexico - participating in experimental painting workshops and 10 exhibits. Since 2014, she has been sharing her time between a mountain village in Andalusia, Spain and her home in Norway. She works with various techniques: acrylic, collage, water based oil, oil pastel, water color and mixed media, both on paper and canvas. Editioned Giclée prints are available of her artwork.

Artist Statement

Drawing and painting have always been a way of expressing myself. Nature is her primary source of inspiration. Painting for Gro is a meditative state of being, where she connect to the elements and the rhythm of nature, weaving dreams and visions into her artwork. Gro's idea of the intention of doing art is to be able to communicate that all things are connected with one another and to the universe. The interconnectedness of all things in nature represents a deep unity within herself. She also considers her work as a teacher bringing the language of colors to the viewer and hope for the future. She likes to think of her paintings as gifts from the spiritual realm revealed after journey to the land of introspection. Welcome to traces of Gro's vision.

Exhibitions

2020

Lights Space Time Online Art Gallery (5 participations)

American Writers Review, A literary journal: Art in the time of Covid-19. «Helmet»

2021

Art Universal - the great encyclopedia of international art.

Collector’s Vision International Art Award.

International Prize Dante Alighieri.

1st Art Palermo International Biennial.

Power of Creativity Art Prize.

Art Olympic Prize.

2022

International Prize Leonardo da Vinci.

International Prize CARAVAGGIO.

International Art Award Voices of Tomorrow.

Book projects coming up:

Anthology V, 2022, Guto Ajayu Culture.

Power of Creativity Art Book, Contemporary Art Curator.

Interview

ARTEOMAGAZINE N. 1 - December 2022

When did you develop an interest in art? What inspired you to enter the art field?

From a very young age I found myself drawn to the colorful artist way of life of my aunt and uncle, a goldsmith and a painter. I enjoyed their way of seeing and living. I loved to study art books, and started from an early age to make drawings on any kind of paper. In my school years I enjoyed drawing and painting more than any other subject. I felt strongly that I was able to express myself through painting. When I was 18, I chose not to go to art school, but after 10 years of administrative work, I changed career direction and came back to the art path. I am primarily self taught, and my first exhibition took place in 1982.

How would you describe yourself and your artwork?

I would like to call myself a colorist and a transformational painter. Nature is my primary source of inspiration. Painting for me is a mediative state of being, where I connect to the elements and the rhythm of nature, weaving drams and visions into my artwork. My intention as an artist is to be able to communicate that all things are connected with one another and to the universe. The interconnectedness of all things in nature represents a deep unity within myself.

How does your creation process of the artworks start? Where do you find inspiration?

My dreams inspire and guide my artistic process. For me, it is important to be still and listen to what is going on inside myself. I would like to share a quote by Paul Gauguin that has meant a lot to me “I shut my eyes in order to see”. I do a lot of thinking and meditation: taking notes, sketching and study the subject matter. My inspiration to paint comes from deep inside me. Painting is an organic process - it takes the time it takes. I know when the painting is completed; it is like saying hello to an old friend.

What emotions do you hope the viewers experience when looking at your art?

My hope is to inspire the viewer to experience the painting itself as an invitation to enter into “a space of personal reflection”.