About

Artist Bio: Aliza Heckert

I’ve been drawing since I could hold a pencil. The first time I learned that art had power was when I was 5 years old and one of my drawings was used in court to support a custody case that ultimately shaped the course of my life in a big way. Visual art is a secret language that lets me continue to have conversations with chaotic and messy life situations. The creative process is medicine for me, and the work that you see is a result of staying committed to those complex conversations.

I use a variety of media in my work including ink, graphite, colored pencil, oil pastel, charcoal, watercolor, acrylic, oil paint, and collage. The interactions of different media excites me. I love to let the materials have a voice and influence the ideas I'm working with.

Sometimes I make art to bring some order into my life when it feels out of control. That’s when design and illustration feel right because those styles offer me a small amount of control over something. Sometimes art is a meditation where I can get lost in design and pattern and color. Sometimes images will push out of me and the work is in control, not me.

I studied art at Cabrillo College, received BA with a painting and art history focus from UCSC. Lots of postgraduate study with various teachers and professional artists.

I have over 10 years of experience teaching ages preschool through middle school. Facilitated art therapy series for cancer survivors through PAMF.