Stepping Outside and Reaching Places Never Thought Possible: A Q&A Wit

Outdoor artist Heather Herindeen, better known as the creative force behind Lights and Darks, has built a life where movement, nature, and art all flow together. What started with pet portraits and fine art commissions has evolved into a full-time career painting large-scale window murals that bring storefronts and city streets to life. 

Whether she’s climbing ladders, dancing to music while she works, or painting through snowstorms, Heather’s creative world exists almost entirely outside. In this Q&A, she shares how she found her artistic voice, what it takes to create in the elements, and how heated gear has helped her extend her season, stay comfortable, and keep creating long after the temperatures drop.

Q: Tell us a bit about yourself.

My name is Heather Herindeen and I’m the artist behind Lights and Darks. In my personal life, I am very outdoorsy. I love surfing, snowboarding, hiking, dancing... I'm very passionate, but, of course, my biggest passion would be my artwork, which is really driven by my lifestyle as well, in terms of the art that I do. I'm really like a jack of all trades. And I kind of go where the wind blows me. 
But right now, my biggest focus is the window murals and regular murals as well. 

Q: Did you practice other kinds of art previously?

I really started out as a fine artist doing pet portraits and commissions for people professionally. And then I have like my entire collection of my own personal paintings, which are driven by my passions: a lot of nature, music, and things like that. I have my art in galleries, restaurants and breweries all around, and I sell my art that way, but the windows started when a Facebook group reached out asking for windows (I didn't even know it was really a thing). I thought, "I have no idea what I'm doing, but I'll give it a try." 


And then I did that, and I fell in love with it, because although art is fun and I love making my own pieces, it's a lot harder to sell art if it's not something commissioned. 
And pet portraits and people portraits really lock you into a box. So I feel that with my window art, I'm still able to have some creative freedom while also delivering a commission that a client needs that's beyond more than, “oh, this looks nice”. It's also a marketing piece. It really has allowed me to blossom in my art career and I'm able to make a sustainable income from it. 


Q: How does this work?

I usually have customers send me a picture of their windows and the idea that they have. A lot of windows are just seasonal, where it's just like a fun winter scene or fall something like that, but there's others that are permanent. For example, I did an eyecare place and I did a big permanent piece. It looks like a mural, but it's on a window. 


So we'll just come up with an idea based on that, and I use my own flair, but they give me ideas and we go from there. I'll create the mock up. It's fun, but it's a lot of work. 


Q: How long does it take you to paint one window?

I can have really long days. It really depends. I'm not fast. Most days take me at least eight hours; sometimes, more than 12 hours. 
So they're long... For me it’s important to get it right, so it takes as long as it takes. I won't stop just because I’ve hit a certain number of hours. It’s not like, “Oh, I've worked eight hours, time to go home!” It's going to be done when it looks perfect and it's a piece that I can be proud to present on my page as well, 'cause every job that I take is a reflection of my work. It's not about the money. I want to be able to deliver something that people love. 

Q: What drew you to working outdoors as part of your artistic process? 

What I really love about working outdoors is that it also gets me outside, and it gets me moving because with fine art you just sit at your desk and you don't get up at all, but with my murals, it's very physical. 
It's actually a really hard job. You're climbing ladders and you're moving around and you're scrubbing, and your arm is up. So I do like the physical aspect of it, but I also get to see a lot of people because they'll be passing by the streets and enjoying the artwork, and I get a ton of compliments, so that always feels really good because people are excited to see the art. 

At the same time, I'm out there and it's almost like I'm in my own little world as well, being able to just be out in nature and enjoy my process. I'll still be moving and listening to music and dancing around. 


Q: How does being outside influence your creativity and the work you produce? 

Because your blood is moving and your body is moving, I do feel like it does become more interesting. It involves more than just sitting at a desk, so I like that. And, who doesn't love being outside? 

Q: What does a typical outdoor art session look like for you? 

Long. I make sure that I have my outfit and all my gear ready to go beforehand and especially, right now, during the holiday season, I have to be very mindful of weather. Like we said, there are long days, sometimes 12 plus hours. I have to make sure that I'm in an outfit that I'm comfortable with.

I'll get there, unload. I use my mockup to create my general outline of the piece, and then I just work, work, work till it looks perfect and I can't go anymore. Usually I'm really tired by the end, but I end up typically also getting a second wind when things start to look really good. Then I get excited, and get that final push to finish the work. I take my pictures and sometimes I'll put together a fun, silly video. 
And then I'll share that and hope that people enjoy it. 

Q: What locations inspire you the most? 


Definitely the mountains and the oceans. I think those are the two big ones for nature lovers. I put mountains in many pieces, especially winter ones, because mountains and evergreen trees work great for creating nice white winter scenes, so those are always in there. And in the summer, I'm definitely more inspired by the ocean and surfing, and waves. 
So, I do a ton of wave artwork as well as surfing artwork. It depends on the season.

Q: Have you faced any more memorable challenges or moments while creating outside?

I have two stories that are good. One of them, I got to a location that I had to paint, and I was planning on painting outside, but it was so cold that there was snow and ice the week prior and there was ice all backed up. I wouldn't be able to stand in front of the window, because it was just straight ice. So, I had to change my process and paint from the inside of the window, which means when you do that, you have to paint backwards so that it looks right at the end. 


And then the other time was a similar thing where I got to the location and the sidewalk was literally gone, so I was also unable to stand at the window. I had to paint from the inside, and that was a tricky one. These experiences taught me how to paint from the inside because I was forced to learn. It was either do that or lose the job. 

I don't like to paint from the inside as much, which is why it's so great that I have my heated vest now, because I'm able to still paint outside for longer in the year. If I have to paint from the inside, I will, but overall, I think paintings on the outside of the window just look so much more vibrant, and they really catch the eye better. 

Q: What are the biggest difficulties of creating art in colder weather? 

For sure, there are a lot. 
Definitely being cold. My hands being cold is the biggest thing. And then your paint can start to freeze if you go out too cold. 
So that's a tricky one. Or we had a day when I was doing a mural and there was a snowstorm, and the snow started coming down on the mural and started to make the paint drip. So there are certain conditions that make it harder to paint in, but definitely being cold is. is a huge one, for sure. But I will usually muffle through whatever the conditions are and do whatever I can. 


Q: Has cold weather ever limited your ability to create or stay out as long as you'd like? 

Yeah, for sure.  I usually end my season around the middle of November because it  gets too cold to paint and you get so much more tired out there, and it's tough. So, yeah, it definitely is limiting. 

Q: When did you first hear about our brand? 

It was a couple of years ago from LaCroix Artistry, a window painter that I follow. 
She was wearing a vest, and she had talked about how it helped her a lot, and I would see her out there. She's been doing it for longer than me, so I thought, “All right. She probably knows what she's talking about.” And then after a while, I just got so cold out there, I was like, "Okay, I need to try this and see if it helps." This was the year that I finally took the plunge and got some for myself. 


Q: Which items do you own currently? 


I own the Classic Heated Vest in olive green, and I own the Twin Cities 3-in-1 Heated Gloves. Usually, I'll just wear the liner part of the gloves.

Q: How has the heated apparel changed or improved your outdoor art sessions? 

I love the heated vest. It's so comfortable, and it keeps me so, so much warmer. 
My back is always so nice and toasty, and that's not something that I've ever been able to feel before. It's super nice to have the vest, because it still allows my arms to move around a little bit more freely when I'm working. And if it's not super cold, I feel that the vest heats me enough that I don't need a coat, which is nice.

Q: And how about the gloves? 


I like those as well. It's harder for me to paint with gloves, but they're definitely workable. There was one day where it was so cold that my hands felt like my fingers were going to just break off anytime they weren't in the gloves. So I was able to still paint. 
If I didn't have the heated gloves, I wouldn't have been able to paint at all that day. It was that snowstorm day. They are, I would say, a must for somebody who wants to be able to get through a wicked, wicked, cold day. 
And they're also nice 'cause sometimes I'll just leave them warming. And then when I'm done with a detailed paint session, I'll just put my hands in them and it just feels so comforting to have them with me. So I'm loving all of it. 


Q: Are there specific tasks or moments where you feel the biggest difference?

I would say almost surprisingly, maybe on a mildly cold day. I think that that's when I like it the most because I can keep it on the medium heat setting. 
If I have my heated vest, I don't feel cold anymore, so it almost makes chilly days super, super comfortable, and the battery lasts for a long time, so I can get through an entire chilly day on one battery and I love that. That's probably my favorite. It makes fall painting so nice, because you don't have to wear a bulky coat, and that's why I love that. 


Q: What features do you like most as someone who spends hours outside?

I feel that it's helped me extend my season this year and take more jobs. I have taken so many more jobs this year than I usually do. 
And it's funny because so many people that walk by say, "Oh, you must be so cold.” And so much of the time now, I'm actually, "Oh, no, I'm fine.” Especially on a day where it's like 40 degrees. This feels like summer to me, you know? The gear makes it totally manageable, where I'm not feeling like I'm really cold at all. 
It also allows me to sustain enough on those frigid freezing days where otherwise I wouldn't be able to even step outside.

Q: Can you share a specific moment when it’s made a tough day outdoors easier? 

It's allowed me to stay on jobs that I would have otherwise not been able to paint, because without the gloves, I literally get so cold that I can't even think. 
So it definitely helps. 

Q: What do you wish more outdoor creators knew about staying warm and comfortable outside? 

Definitely that your gear matters and that you should put a slot into what you're wearing. 
It's an investment that's worth it because it really, really, really helps you feel more comfortable. And when you're more comfortable, you can get the work done better. 

And also, I love a good outfit. 
So with the vest, I just love that I was able to create myself a painting uniform for the year. I have a special hat that I wear and a special sweatsuit that's underneath my vest, and I'm starting to get people talking about me because of the outfit that I'm wearing. They know me as, "Oh, she's the girl that paints in that special outfit.” I love having that. I feel like having my little uniform with my vest and all of that, just becomes a personality, part of my presence out there. 
And people can recognize it. So I love the fact that ororo has a vest that is fashionable and I can look cute (because it's really hard to look cute out there when you're trying to say warm). So I tried my best to come up with something that looks good.

Q: What advice would you give to other artists who want to create out year round? 

I would say enjoy January and February. Do something else for a little bit. Work on your work on your marketing or something for those months. 
Or maybe use the gear and go snowboarding or skiing and just take some time off from painting. But other than that, if you're looking to work through the holiday season, it’s where you can make the most money. So if you can get yourself to extend your season as far as possible, then the gear is going to help with that. 


Q: What upcoming projects are you excited about?

I have built a partnership with a company called 7 Brew. They're a drive-thru coffee shop and they're popping up everywhere. So far, I've painted all of the locations in Connecticut, and Massachusetts. So as that chain starts growing and growing, I'm excited to keep building with them, to keep delivering paintings there. And because they're a drive through, the windows are one of the only things that customers are really seeing, 'cause they're not going in. 
So I feel it's the perfect place for me to showcase my artwork and I've had so many people find me because of that project.

Q: Anything else you want to say? 


I would like to take it snowboarding. I feel like they would be great snowboarding gloves. I also want to get myself one of those heated hand warmers. And I probably need to get a heated jacket. I have a whole Christmas list! 
Because now my vest is painted, so I'm going to have to get some fresh gear. I would definitely wear it, not just painting. 

Q: Is there any life advice that you would like to share? 

I would say: don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try something new. It can be scary at first, but if you commit to the joy of learning something, it can take you into places that you could never imagine. I never imagined I would be a window painter that has grown to this point. I could have never believed it for myself, but I wasn't afraid to take that first step. Everyone should remember that.

Q: Where can people follow your work? 

They can find me on:

• Instagram: @lights.and.darks 

• Facebook: Lights and Darks

• TikTok: @lights.and.darks 

• Website: www.lightsanddarks.com 

An Invitation to Step Outside

Heather’s journey is a reminder that creativity grows strongest when we’re willing to step outside, sometimes literally. Her boldness, passion, and willingness to embrace discomfort have shaped a career she never could have predicted. With the right tools, the right mindset, and a love for the process, she continues to turn storefronts into stories, seasons into inspiration, and even cold days into possibilities.