Heron Hill Designs
Heron Hill Designs
Art with a Collaborative Spirit
“A Slice of Sunshine”
Pair of moccasins by Heron Hill Designs. Courtesy of the artists.
Daniel (they/them) is Roma-Gitane, Sinti, Asian, and Indigenous and Joey (he/him), also known as Waasay Makwa Inini, is a queer Anishnaabe artist, and, together, they make up Heron Hill Designs, an interdisciplinary and deeply collaborative art practice. From painting and drawing to quillwork and beadwork, there is nothing this pair of artists can’t do. They recently started basketmaking as well, inspired by Joey’s family: “historically my family are black ash basket weavers. It skipped a couple of generations, but started back up.” Commenting on how many mediums they work in, Daniel adds, “It’s a nice way to challenge ourselves. We don't like getting too static doing the same thing again and again so it helps us keep the creative flow.”
Joey learned beading at a young age. He learned the basics of beading in an after-school program, which he continued at home: “I went home and, my mom was a beader on and off, so I could raid her supply closet and start projects whenever I wanted.” Joey has learned other skills from his family as well, particularly his mother’s partner: “I learned from him how to harvest birch bark, how to harvest spruce root, and how to harvest all that stuff for our practices. And I’m learning weaving from him and quillwork.” Daniel notes that they’ve learned, too, from a handful of elders in the area who have been generous enough to share their knowledge and work with Heron Hill Designs.
Beaded bag by Heron Hills that shows their rich color palette. Courtesy of the artists.
Meanwhile, Daniel is an accomplished painter and drawer and has been a practicing artist for over 13 years. They went to school in California then transferred to Chicago to finish their art education. Joey notes, proudly, “Daniel does every type of traditional fine art.” When Daniel met Joey, they started working together on projects. Daniel describes the beginning of Heron Hill Designs: “We were collaborating by combining painting on birch bark with beadwork. That was the start of everything. From there I learned beadwork.” Their grandmother was a beader too, so, despite never having met her, learning to bead was a continuation of that family practice for Daniel.
Something that immediately stands out when you look at Heron Hill Designs’ artwork is the distinct, rich colors they work with. Joey describes their palette: “We both really love warm undertones. That’s one of the biggest draws for us when we’re looking at a color. We have to force ourselves to use cooler tones because they make a nice little break. We really like earthy, jewel tones.” And Daniel interjects, “Colors that hold some weight to them. Some vibrance. Some vitality. That’s what we really gravitate towards.” Joey laughs, adding, “Thankfully we’ve been really on the same page about colors since the beginning or else I don't know if this would’ve worked.”
Pair of moccasins by Heron Hill Designs that shows their attention to flow and composition
Another distinct aspect of Heron Hill Designs’ work is the attention to flow and movement in their designs. They riff off one another, finishing each other’s sentences as they meditate on this aspect of their work:
Joey: That’s the secret. I stand by the vines being the most important part of any floral design. You can put any floral you want at the end of a vine, but if the vine doesn't flow the right way, something looks off about the piece no matter how beautifully you finish it off at the end.
Daniel: Yes - it can end up looking very static. Even with the colors we choose, a lot of them are inspired by nature and organic flow, and sometimes symmetry and sometimes asymmetry –
Joey: toeing this interesting line between illustrative styles of flowers and traditional woodland floral designs –
Daniel: from like the 1800s –
Joey: seeing how we can mix them together to make something beautiful.
The way they talk, rounding out one another’s ideas and even sentences, mirrors how seamlessly Joey and Daniel work together as an artistic team. Daniel describes their collaborative nature of their practice: “We like to help each other bring our ideas, imagery to life, into fruition. If he’s had an idea for a regalia, then he’ll draw up some sketches, and then I'll get excited too. Depending on the type of piece, he’ll sketch it out and then I'll go in and refine it.”
“We like to help each other bring our ideas, imagery to life, into fruition. If he’s [Joey] had an idea for a regalia, then he’ll draw up some sketches, and then I'll get excited too. Depending on the type of piece, he’ll sketch it out and then I'll go in and refine it.”
— Daniel (they/them)
Works by Heron Hill Designs. Courtesy of the artists.
Joey and Daniel don’t just create art – they also mentor and teach other artists, which leads into their visions for the future of Heron Hill Designs:
Joey: We have an idea for a cultural center that doubles as a dog sanctuary and a queer, safe space. It would be a house and area that people can come to and have lodging –
Daniel: learn trades and skills for farming, ranching–
Joey: traditional skills like beadwork and weaving–
Daniel: and foraging. It would be an event space for weddings because Michigan’s had some hits and misses for access and discrimination. It would be a space for the community, by the community. We’d talk about food sovereignty and making your own food, teach people how to cook and reclaim wellness and wellbeing.
Joey: It feels like our journeys are leading to that – as branched as they’ve been. Danny has more of a history in activism and inclusion. I’m not oblivious to that stuff, but I don't know everything that Daniel knows. I have a lot of the practical skills to contribute. I was a pastry chef for 10 years and grew up on farms. So we can each combine our skills and make a little slice of sunshine –
Daniel: amidst the chaos and madness.
If their current artistic practice and beautiful creations are any indication of the work, both artistic and community-based, that’s to come from Heron Hill Designs, it will surely be a “slice of sunshine.”
Artist Biography
Heron Hill Designs is a collective started by the two of us, Joey and Daniel, who are currently based in Michigan. All items that we produce are one of a kind handmade and hand harvested when possible or otherwise stated. Any materials that cannot be made, we outsource within indigenous communities when possible. We focus on creating with sustainability, respect, and conscientious consumption in mind. Our work is a blend of contemporary styles of art and older traditional woodland floral designs. We’ve had the honor so far to be exhibited in museums, ceremonies, and weddings and are excited to see what the future holds!
Outside of creating work we have started teaching classes on beadwork and are excited to share our knowledge and skills with others.