Cissy Roybal Heaton

Bio / Artists statement

I have worked in many different media, including watercolors, acrylics, graphics, clay, wire-sculpture, as well as stained glass, fused glass & glass casting. I also have some experience with bead making & wood carving. For the past several years, I have combined stained glass, beveled glass, fused glass, semi-precious stones and hand sculpted wire in various combinations to build unique creations. One of my specialties is my Pyramid Vessels, which are very technically challenging. I am constantly experimenting with new elements that add texture and interest to my work, such as adding things like metal inclusions. When my customers tell me, "I have never seen anything like this!" I consider it a great compliment. As well as the glassworks that I build for my art shows, I love designing and creating unique artworks, including windows, panels and wall pieces, as well as 3-Dimensional items that are custom tailored for an individual or occasion, and do so by commission. I am also available to design & create custom corporate gifts for conventions & such, and have done so for Visit Orlando & Experience Kissimmee, among other clients.

I have lately added personalized cremation vessels to my regular lines to forever and beautifully house your loved one, be it a person or an animal friend.

I also like departing from glass on occasion with freelance projects. I have done, for example, several public art projects, including LizArt, Swansation and Bradentons Gecko Fest. In each of these cases, a giant "creature of choice" was chosen and artists paint and/or decorate the creature in a theme the artist designs. For LizArt in Orlando, I painted "Checko-Gecko", a human sized multi colored checkered lizard, for Swansation in Lakeland, it was a giant biker swan named "Swanna Be Cool", and for the Bradenton Gecko Fest, a 6 ft. wall gecko painted with various patterns from the Vera Bradley Collection. Her name was "The Gecko Formerly Known As Prints." A new passion to add to the list is a line of whimsically painted wooden chairs with different themes that I started in 2010. Some of these chairs were recently featured in the Apopka City Hall Gallery.

Among the many awards and prizes I have won over the years, I was especially honored in 1993 to be chosen by the Florida Bar Association to create two custom stained glass panels, one for Florida Supreme Court Justice Ben Overton, and the other for Attorney General of the United States, Janet Reno. I have also been the recipient of a United Arts of Central Florida grant, which was used to further my education at a Hot Glass Horizons/Glass Masters advanced workshop in Corning, NY in 2007. Another honor came about in 2009 at the Apopka Art & Foliage Festival, when one of my platters was selected to be that years gift for the Mayor of Apopka, John Land. In 2010 & 2015, I was chosen to build the custom tailored awards for National Philanthropy Day, which was yet another honor. In recent years I was the artist selected to create the Arts Plus Awards in the Central Florida area, which recognizes outstanding achievements in teaching.

Because of my experience with many different media, I have also been selected to be a judge at various arts & crafts shows and events, such as the Apopka Art & Foliage Festival and Great Day in the Country in Oviedo, FL.

As I consider my talents a blessing and a gift, I also feel compelled to give back to worthwhile causes that help others along the way. A portion of all monies earned from my artwork sales go to charitable causes that I believe in, including the Disabled American Veterans, Paralyzed American Veterans, Tunnel to Towers, the Humane Society and various Native American, wildlife and environmental causes.

Art feeds the soul and pleases the eye; how great to be able to be a participant!

My art can be viewed by appointment, at various art shows (check schedule below), as well as countless homes, offices & galleries across the United States, Europe, Japan & Australia.

2024 AUTUMN ART SHOW SCHEDULE--

The Winter Park Autumn Art Festival--October 12 & 13. Located in beautiful Central Park on Park Ave. This show is exclusively for Florida artists. Look for me at Booth 122, near the train station!

Cocoa Beach Art Show--Nov. 30 & Dec. 1. Located at the corner of A1A & Minutemen Causeway, downtown Cocoa Beach....A fun Thanksgiving tradition!

I am always available for commissions.! Keep cool & stay safe!

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