Creating Happy through Creativity
Since childhood, Heather has been a passionate maker and creator. She spent much of her career as Creative Director of Harrington Communications, a marketing and design firm she founded in 2004, serving a nationwide roster of clients.
Heather left her agency to pursue her passion for painting as a fine artist. In 2016, she founded Life and Whim, a creative studio and northern Michigan lifestyle brand.
In addition to painting and hosting creative workshops,
Heather loves to engage and bring happiness to her community through building outdoor art projects. Her contributions to the Traverse City area include the Fairy Trails at the Botanic Gardens at Historic Barns Park and Old Art Building in Leland; and the Traverse City street pianos.
Heather’s paintings reflect the joy and inspiration she finds in the beautiful outdoors of northern Michigan. She works with bright, vivid colors and has a playful, free-flowing painterly style that portrays her happiness in the small details of life in her hometown.
She is an active volunteer and has served in leadership positions at various civic organizations, both individually and through initiatives, she has led through her marketing agency.
Heather passionately believes that the act of creating can cultivate community and happiness and, in turn, improve mental health. Her mantra is creating happy through creativity.
Heather lives with her husband Jay and three daughters (Madison and twins Emma and Kinsey) in Traverse City and their dog Olive. She can often be found outside enjoying the beautiful northern Michigan landscapes or with a paintbrush in hand.
Good Works Lab 