Heather Clements grew up in Northern Virginia, just outside of Washington, D.C. She has shown an affinity and talent for art for as long as she can remember. Her mother can be quoted by saying, "Even as a toddler, she always colored inside the lines!" Growing up, though, Heather has never hesitated to think outside of the box.

After receiving many awards and recognition for her art as a teenager, Heather wanted to learn and grow as an artist. She went to Baltimore to the Maryland Institute College of Art to receive her Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting. Graduating in May 2007, Heather wanted to branch out to unfamiliar territories while she was still young and free. She ended up on the road with some friends to Panama City, Florida, a town she had never even heard of before.

Shortly after moving to the Panhandle, a rare and amazing opportunity presented itself to own and run an art gallery, the Gallery Above. Heather has never been one to pass up an opportunity, so she took it with full force. The Gallery Above was completely unique to the area, hosting many art exhibits, openings, music events, film nights, swing dances, and much, much more. “No one I know is doing more for local art and artists than Heather Clements and her Gallery Above.” – Michael Lister, News Herald. Unfortunately because the gallery was in a small town suffering in a bleak economy, Heather had to close the Gallery Above after 2 proud years of ownership.

After a few months of mourning and art-making, Heather became the Exhibitions Manager and Graphic Designer at the Visual Arts Center of Northwest Florida. Her passion never faded as she worked tirelessly to make the VAC an inspirational and quality place. Then it came a time when she decided to leave and concentrate on what she has always loved: creating art.

Heather now spends most of her time making art and teaching art. Always using the human figure to illustrate pieces of the human condition, Heather mixes portraiture with rich metaphors. From octopus arms representing an inner struggle, to dying birds representing the destruction of the environment, Heather never ceases to try to create new and meaningful images.