In the Times - Heise Takes Bold Approach to Art

Amanda Heise of LaPorte is bold and graphic when it comes to art.

Her work will be on exhibit through June 25 at Active Art Salon and Gallery, 9339 Calumet Ave. Suite B1 in Munster. An opening reception is 7 to 9 p.m. May 14 and Heise will be available for discussion of her work at that time.

Her exhibit consists of 20 pieces she calls Interiors. "Like an oversized dollhouse, I have always loved the store displays of fake rooms," she said.

"The possibilities of these rooms are endless. I am interested in the change of perspective and design while walking from kitchen to kitchen or wandering from bathroom to bathroom. In my artwork, the choices of tile, countertop and wood become like movable pieces in my composition. While I find it ironic to create a generic living space through my work, it is also important to record the spaces of home and family that are engrained in me."

Heise also has a show at Shady Creek Winery in Michigan City through June entitled Maps of My Mind. This exhibit consists of exterior based prints.

Always active in creating original pieces, Heise first took private art lessons when she was 14 years old from Sue Henshaw in New Buffalo and had her first showing that same year at the Gaia Gallery in New Buffalo. She graduated from LaPorte High School and then attended Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design graduating in 2009 with Bachelor of Arts degree in print making and a minor in graphic design.

"Art is something I pursue, really love and I'm very ambitious in," she said.

In the past she's taught monotype print making classes at Lubeznik Center of the Arts in Michigan City and her first teaching job was a Studio Art Classes in Mishawaka where she created and taught kids art camp.

When she's not creating original pieces in her studio, Heise works as a graphic designer at Royal and Langnickel in Merrillville. She is also planning her September wedding to fiancé, David Jozaitis of LaPorte.

By Sue Bero, Times Correspondent

http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/article_883f4c61-ff22-57a3-86aa-c623693eaef9.html