I am a self-taught plein air artist living and working in rural southeastern Minnesota. Working in oils and watercolor, my work is a study of place, time, and season.
I love the place where I live; as familiar as the back of my hand, yet never the same two days in a row. I draw a lot of inspiration from my local area. I enjoy the challenge of plein air painting, and the way it encourages taking a closer look, to more fully take in what might otherwise go unnoticed.
My plein air paintings, done usually within 2 to 3 hours, attempt to capture the fleeting and changing view of a particular place and time as I see it. My studio works, supported by plein air studies, memories, emotion, and imagination, are built up through a lot of time and layers of paint, and allow me to work in more detail.
In all my work, I try to capture the beauty I see in the simple, everyday blessings, in faces and events, subtle and breathtaking, convinced that, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” (James 1:17)
Art education: I study in the fields. That sounds a bit simplistic, but it’s true. When I first began as a painter, I didn’t know any other artists. I only knew what I loved and wanted to experience and share more deeply with others. Painting from life has been immeasurably important in realizing that goal.
Plus, getting to know some wonderful and dedicated artists in my region through plein air events has been a huge blessing and source of inspiration. They continue to push me and encourage me in the work.
Favorite subjects: I’m obsessed with the way light lands on broken snow, long evening shadows, and moonrises.
Aha moment: I’m still figuring it out, but I had an aha moment when I began to see all the color in snow. I started “Cutting a New Path” (above) indoors, working from a small plein air study, but partway through I realized I needed more information. So I lugged my French easel and the heavy 30 x 24-inch panel nearly a mile through snow to paint from life. I don’t think I’d attempt that again, but it was a turning point in my understanding of what I was seeing and how to interpret it.
What I would do for a living if I wasn’t an artist: I would have loved to do something relating to the land, such as regenerative farming or conservation.
Favorite artists: My early influences were illustrators of children’s books and fairy tales, including Beatrix Potter and Arthur Rackham. I don’t know if that comes through in my work, but I think a good illustration invites the viewer into the story, and a good painting does the same.
The advice I wish I had received earlier in my painting career: You have nothing to prove and everything to gain. We get to do this; it can be really hard, but it’s a gift. Take joy in it, and don’t beat yourself up for what you can’t do.
What’s next: I’m working on some larger paintings of the places I know and love best: the woods, fields, and orchard on my family’s farm. There are some big changes on the horizon, and I’m treasuring the opportunity to explore and share these moments and places for a little while longer.
Price range: $200-$4,000
Representation: James Krom Natural Images, Rochester, Minnesota; Local World Gallery, Wabasha, Minnesota; Red Wing Arts Depot Gallery, Red Wing, Minnesota; Gallery 1802, La Crosse, Wisconsin
Website: ambitioussnail.blogspot.com
Instagram: @hannah.c.heyer
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Don’t miss your opportunity to create lifetime memories at PACE! The next Plein Air Convention & Expo is May 14-18, 2026 in The Ozarks. All training sessions are indoors on giant, high-def screens, with plein air paint-outs in the afternoons. Beginners and pros feel right at home, so register now to join us!
