I clearly recall the moment I laid eyes on the first piece of
Willa Heart art. I was scrolling through Instagram one late afternoon and spotted the most amazing original art on my friend
Teggy French's feed. I gasped, scrolled to read the caption and immediately followed and fell in love with this precious girl and her
incredible art.
Isn't it divine?
Fast forward just a month or so and my adoration has only grown. Alyssa Harris and her amazing talent seems to know no end. Of course I love the Staffordshire pups but all the pups are darling. Their faces are truly precious! I love that her originals have layers and you can see those layers in the zoomed in details. I love the bamboo edges and the greenery. Truly, I can't think of anything I don't love about her pieces.
I am thrilled to share her work with you today and to get to know this darling Aly along with you. I truly do love interviews. You get to learn so many things about people and Aly was so fun in her responses. I found myself stopping more than once just to say ...
how cool is she?
You will love her answers, she is quite a fabulous thing! Her must haves were my absolute favorite ...
Where did you grow up and how did your childhood influence your life and your life today?
I grew up outside of Boston in a town called Needham. Growing up we split our time between Boston, Florida and on vacation.
When I was very young a teacher picked up on a learning difference I had, later it was diagnosed as Dyslexia. I was moved to a new school that specialized in learning differences and it had a strong art program. I had such a tough time learning to read and struggled with all the other aspects of my learning issues. The problems I encountered made me look at all situations from a different perspective and I think make me extra unique. I have learned to embrace my terrible spelling and I am thankful everyday for my dyslexia.
As a child what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be an actress because Hollywood seemed like the most glamorous place in the world. In my mind I would live at a hotel, have daily beauty treatments, drink Strawberry Daiquiris all day by the pool and tell the hotel staff to keep the chicken nuggets coming. In retrospect maybe I should become an actress?
Did you always want to be an artist?
Yes, but I never thought of it as a career. I always thought it would be something I would do on the side for fun.
What has your career path looked like and how did you get to the present day?
I started working during high school as an intern for a family friend and haven’t stopped since. I have always worked for small businesses, mostly in the fashion industry. In my early 20s I was a showroom manager for a high end men’s custom clothing store in Boston. After that I was a personal assistant, household manager and then worked for a start up. Working for these small businesses has prepared me for having my own business.
How did you decide to take the plunge and launch Willa Heart?
Willa Heart was a hobby until recently but I am embracing this new business and running with it. It always felt like a pipe dream and not something I could actually do but then a few special people posted about it on Instagram and voila, it is real!
Share two people who have inspired your journey and why?
My husband constantly inspires me because he is always on the move and doing doing doing! He is the hardest working person I know and the way he applies himself to even the small tasks is inspiring. He is the definition of a highly productive person.
My friend Megan also inspires me, I have watched her build this amazing brand called APPRVL over the last few years. Seeing someone I know start a creative business and grow it into this amazing thing is wonderful. She is very creative and talented and I want to be just like her when I grow up.
Can you share a high point in your journey and what was that like for you?
Every time I ship out a print to a customer it is the best feeling in the world and definitely a high point. I love to imagine their fabulous home and the frame they will choose and where it is going to be hung and what it will be surrounded by. I can’t imagine anything better than thinking about my paintings being hung in people’s homes.
Anything you must have to spur creativity?
Movies and books. I am always watching old movies, old TV shows and looking at old books for inspiration. Right now I am very into the 1970’s and early 80’s so I have been watching things from that era.
Do you have a favorite thing to create?
Things for my friends. I love making gifts; nothing is better than a homemade gift.
What is your favorite color?
Pink, it’s the color of passion!
What is your favorite way to unwind?
On the couch, watching TV with my husband and dog…I get the remote.
If I spotted you on a random Saturday, what would you be doing?
If I am in South Carolina I am home painting and hanging with my husband. If I am traveling, I am out shopping and walking around for hours. Nothing makes me happier than to just walk and talk and shop all day!
Five must haves.
Leopard print shoes, a red or pink pedicure, diamonds, sushi and TV
Favorite quote.
“Don’t stop till you get enough” – Michael Jackson
Isn't she absolutely adorable?? I am blessed to own a Willa Heart original which she has named
Buffy & Muffy (how fabulous!) and I can not wait to get it back from Framebridge and get it on the wall. I love adding incredible pieces to our art collection and this one will be just perfect. I am thankful she painted a piece just for me, I feel truly lucky!
To shop my piece and all of her other work check out the Willa Heart
website. She sells most prints in two sizes, 8x10 and 12x16, and each of her pieces is more amazing than the last one!
And can we please discuss her darling shoes? I tell you, I just can't get enough!!
Happy Tuesday lovies. I am in the home stretch of the One Room Challenge or as I have learned to recognzie it as
hell week crunch time. There is literally not one minute to waste! Follow along on my Instastories, I have a huge to do list and no moment to spare!
Have the best day ...
