63 www.CharlestonWomenPodcast.com | www.ReadCW.com | www.Instagram.com /CharlestonWomen complete a mural at a local middle school. That project turned into a request to create two additional murals, including a full courtyard design. She’s since painted a mural for an elementary school cafeteria, a custom abstract art wall piece for a client’s bedroom and wall pieces for several local businesses. Murals have given Oates a little more of the creative freedom that she enjoys as an artist, rather than the step and repeat patterns found in the wallpaper. She draws inspiration from the South Carolina landscape, native floral and fauna and local landmarks. She cherished her experience painting at local schools and interacting with the young admirers and aspiring artists who often suggested design elements for their murals. Oates said she found ways to incorporate some of those elements into the finished project, much to the elation of the children. Oates loves the personalization and special touches she can incorporate for her clients, especially as she gets to know them through the planning process. She recalled completing a hand-painted geometric design for a close friend, adding first letters of names and numbers that meant something to the family while maintaining the design aesthetic. For Oates, being able to sneak in those little “Easter eggs” allowed her to add an elevated personal touch to the art — something she finds fun and rewarding. Though Oates is a one-woman show in terms of her creative projects, she gets a helpful hand from husband Matt. His background in project management helps her stay on track and on schedule from a business perspective. “He keeps me grounded and organized,” said Oates, “but everything else is all me.” Her goal in 2024 is to add to her mural repertoire and to continue to grow her custom wallpaper business. Oates cherishes the fact that she can do something that she loves for a living. She enjoys the art, the process and “adding happiness to people’s homes.” Said Oates, “I did a room for a little girl who is an aspiring artist, and seeing her face light up when she saw her room — and encouraging her creativity and interest in art — and knowing that she might go on and become an artist is so rewarding. It’s been so cool to build relationships with these families and, on a more personal level, provide something special for their homes.” Art: Heidioatesart.SquareSpace.com Instagram: @HeidiOates Email for information: HeidiOatesArt@gmail.com Charleston Women in the Arts Helping all children tackle the barriers that hinder them from becoming the best versions of themselves. Founded by Sherrika Myers, Every 1 Voice Matters implements the Lil Herbie Series Coaching Program that uses the Adventures in Wisdom curriculum. Children learn critical skills, they learn how to create a vision for their lives, and achieve their goals through positive mindset development and storytelling. www.every1voicematters.org | 843-781-0503 1037 Chuck Dawley Blvd., Suite D-100 Mount Pleasant, SC Bringing you over 20 years of combined cosmetic injection experience. Trust us to find your natural, true beauty! AESTHETICS True Beauty 843-790-2034 TRUEBEAUTYSC.COM AESTHETICS True Beauty Malissa LaRoche, PA-C Rebecca Zerwick Johnson, PA-C
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