Rand Heidinger is 46 year old professional Winnipeg Jewish artist whose work resides in many private and public collections around the world. Rand Heidinger’s art is uniquely dynamic, industrial, and very modern.

In his latest series, he uses automotive paint combined with resins to create an illusion of depth and texture where none exists. Choosing acrylic thermoplastic as his medium, he has the choice to display them flat like a traditional painting or use heat to subtly shape them into something that borders on sculpture. The works are displayed on custom built frames that are designed to provide context to the work. Some pieces are flat and very painterly while his shaped works provide a surprisingly more organic feel given the materials used.

“I paint on the back of the acrylic so I am actually doing everything in reverse which makes it more challenging.  I don’t get to see exactly what it looks like until I reveal the front, which is covered in a film to protect it from getting covered in paint. It really has to be done right the first time,” says Heidinger.

“People find this medium intriguing and fascinating. They are mesmerized with the way it interacts with light. You get to enjoy my pieces different ways at different times of the day and night. When you have less ambient light, the softer colours blend together and the darker colours become more vibrant. As the ambient light changes, the piece literally transforms before your eyes,” continues Heidinger.

Heidinger has also experimented with interactive art pieces that invite you to get your own hands on the artwork and manipulate it to your liking.  His interactive pieces include a large wall mounted turntable featuring a painting done in 360 degrees that can be rotated using an elaborate series of motorcycle chain and see through acrylic gears and another is a wall of turning panels that allow light to stream through them. 

"I like the idea of the viewer being able to manipulate art. My hope is that by participating in the creative process themselves the viewer will be able to immerse themselves in the art and engage their own inner artist,” explains Heidinger.

Heidinger has been drawing since he was a child. He entered the professional art world in 1982 when he worked in a family-owned art gallery doing custom framing. It was there that he was first influenced by contemporary art in print form. He began painting contemporary art with pastels and watercolours in the style he had seen at the gallery. This naturally evolved into his own style which he describes as “pure abstract revolving around form and colour.” He framed his original pieces and sold them in the gallery where he worked. This in turn led to commissioned art pieces.

In 1992, he opened his own gallery on Academy Road, where he sold original art work, offered custom picture framing and did commissioned work. His custom framing went beyond what was offered in the city at the time in terms of creativity and originality.

In 1997, he travelled to London, England as a Canadian artist to honour HRH Prince Philip for his many contributions to the World Wildlife Fund, to celebrate the Prince’s birthday and to unveil the Prince’s new trust fund, “Arts for Nature”.

“I had brought a framed contemporary original painting to contribute to the new trust fund. At a lavish dinner gala I had the opportunity to speak with the Prince and the Duchess of Abercorn where they thanked me for my contribution,” says Heidinger.

After taking a hiatus from his art career to focus on custom furniture design he returned in 2005 with a fresh perspective. He started painting abstracts, all the time evolving and perfecting his techniques.

“I am an artist who was not satisfied with the basic tools and materials that have been historically used by artists. I was not satisfied with the effect that brushes and pallet knives give on canvas. I evolved and progressed to experiment with different materials and tools to make my art. My motivation is to take something that already exists and push it further. I use reclaimed wood, aluminum, mesh, lucite, stainless steel, chain, glass, squeegees, air brushes, rags, syringes, cardboard, a blow torch, and other innovative supplies,” reveals Heidinger.

“My past experience working with so many mediums and tools has allowed me to get to my latest creations of car paint and resins on acrylic. It has been a long journey,” concludes Heidinger.

Heidinger is now being represented by Mayberry Fine Art Gallery. You can view his artwork gallery page by clicking on this link  http://www.mayberryfineart.com/artist/rand_heidinger . For all enquiries please contact the gallery at 255-5690 in Winnipeg or 416-923-9275 in Toronto.