Heather Munro
Illustrator
Heather Munro is an artist and illustrator specializing in drawing either in pencil or ballpoint pen. She studied Art & Art History at the University of Toronto and Studio Art at Sheridan College. Her drawings are inspired by allegorical literature and film and informed by her life experiences. The female protagonists in her work often face peril, isolation, and both physical and mental struggles, but respond with creativity, imagination, and resilience.
Recently, Heather has started to work paper into two or three-dimensional layered pieces and paper sculptures. The layering of the paper creates a physical and psychological depth, allowing the viewer to be drawn ever more intimately into the magical worlds and narratives embodied in the art.
Heather lived and worked in Toronto, Boston, London, and Kingston before finally settling in Ottawa. In addition to her primary role as an artist and illustrator, Heather has worked in numerous galleries and arts organizations including the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Museum London, and The Arts Project in London, Ontario
“Sometimes I get inspired by the tin I use for my piece. The Art Nouveau motif and the stylized flowers reminded me of the many hikes I have taken through Gatineau Park in the spring when the Trilliums are in bloom. It is an amazing sight every spring.”
Heather Munro’s work is on permanent display at the gallery. To see more of her work go to our online SHOP.
3D diorama in antique tin, watercolour and pen
4 cm x 3.5 cm
Antique tin once held ‘Talking Machine Needles’ now it holds a tiny forest with creatures amongst the trees.
3D diorama in antique tin, watercolour and pen
Constructed in a tiny 7 cm x 4.5 cm tin the image uses both the lid and bottom of the tin to create a continuous image of a little Red Riding Hood walking through a birch forest. The tin lays flat and does not close but it is easily displayed on a wall.
3D diorama in antique tin, watercolour and pen
Constructed in a tiny 7 cm x 4.5 cm tin the image uses both the lid and bottom of the tin to create a continuous image. As Alice falls down the Rabbit hole various items fall around her. The tin lays flat and does not close but it is easily displayed on a wall.
When Alan Ray sent me his paired piece he also sent along some images that inspired him.
One of those images was the famous Norman Rockwell Self-Portrait. I thought this image would work well in a tin with the extra dimension added. As I looked closer I noticed all the images in the painting were men.
I decided to recreate this with a woman’s perspective. As you see on the side of the canvas in this version all the little postcards are famous female self-portraits such as Kahlo and Gentileschi.
In order to draw back to my original paired inspiration I added two Rembrandt self-portraits but they are taking the back seat to the women this time around.
Pen, watercolour and ink Diorama in vintage tin.
See the work by Alan Ray that inspired this piece here, part of the Pairings show 2025.
3D diorama in antique tin, watercolour and pen
Stroke of Midnight
Size- 22 cm x 14 cm - 7.5 cm deep
Capturing all the new life blossoming in a little pond.
3D diorama in antique tin, watercolour and pen
Size 19 cm x 9 cm and 2.5 cm deep
3D diorama in antique tin, watercolour and pen
Size- 10.5 cm diameter 2.5 cm deep
Illustration and watercolour layered in vintage tin
12.5 cm diameter - 3.5 cm high
4 in diameter
Watercolor, Pen, 3D Diorama