We recently had the chance to connect with Heather Steele & HR Steele and have shared our conversation below.
Heather & HR , we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
For many years, I asked myself one simple yet profound question: What is life really about? For the longest time, it felt like a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma. But today, my answer has changed. I’ve found a peace within that only Jesus can give.
This past year has really been about walking in my purpose—not just talking about it, not just thinking about it, but actually stepping into what God created me to do. And I’ll be honest, that meant letting go of a lot of the control I tried to hang onto for so long. We convince ourselves that if we just work harder, make more money, get the bigger house, the nicer car… then somehow happiness will follow. But that kind of chasing only leaves you drained. Before you know it, life has flown by while you’re still trying to grab hold of the next best thing.
Letting go of that mindset has opened up a completely different way of living. Walking in my purpose means trusting God with every step, even when I can’t see the whole path. It means choosing faith over fear and aligning my life with what He’s been nudging me toward for years. And through it all, I’ve continued loving people the way I always have—with compassion, kindness, and the same grace Christ shows us.
My life has been a colorful journey, full of highs and lows, twists and turns. And now, as I move into this new chapter, I can finally see how every moment—both the beautiful ones and the hard ones—were leading me right here. So much of my past makes sense now. Everything really does happen in God’s perfect timing.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Heather Steele—also known as H.R. Steele—a Seattle and Texas artist whose life blends creativity, purpose, and compassion. As an entrepreneur and philanthropist, my path into the art world didn’t begin in a traditional studio. It began out of necessity and love. I created my first pieces to help support my son while he lived in Seattle undergoing chemotherapy. That season changed everything. It awakened my love for art and deepened my lifelong commitment to giving back.
Today, my work brings together sculpted Italian clay, Venetian plaster, resin, and natural European pigments to create pieces that feel both timeless and contemporary. I’m inspired by the simplicity and beauty of the natural world, and I love incorporating clean, elegant lines that carry a sense of calm and refinement. Over the years, I’ve collaborated with interior designers to create custom artwork for their projects and continue to take on commission work for clients seeking one-of-a-kind pieces.
I am also building something meaningful for the creative community. Through my virtual gallery, I’m launching an artist-focused community designed to help emerging and established artists connect, collaborate, and gain real exposure. Creating a space that supports others—especially artists who are searching for opportunity and belonging—is deeply important to me. Artists who are interested in joining can visit my website, www.hrsteelefineartgallery.com
, and fill out the contact form.
Beyond my artwork, entrepreneurship is part of my DNA. I own Team Nanny DFW, a childcare agency centered on trust, connection, and family support. I also run two natural food businesses—Fresh Roots Seattle (with my son) and Fresh Roots Texas—both dedicated to clean, wholesome, back-to-basics living.
Philanthropy remains the heart of everything I do. I support organizations that help children with medical needs, assist individuals experiencing homelessness, and raise awareness for mental health. My son’s journey, and the strength it required from us both, continues to influence my perspective, my creativity, and the way I show up for others.
Every chapter of my life—art, business, community, and giving—has shaped the woman I am today. And through it all, I remain committed to creating beauty, building connections, and using my work to make a meaningful impact.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I would have to reverse that question to be, Who did the world tell me I was before I discovered who I am today? I often felt the world expected me to be quiet and to sit down. Growing up as a homesteader, as I’ve shared in other articles, I was never truly accepted by others. We weren’t poor, but outsiders often thought we were. My dad worked tirelessly as a steelworker to buy our land and build our earth home. “For those of you who don’t know what an earth home is, it is a house built underground inside a mountain.” We lived in one of the more prestigious zip codes in our area, but we were what you’d call “granola.” We lived off the land, raising and butchering our own meat, gathering eggs, fruits, and veggies, cutting our own firewood, and hauling our drinking water. We even made our own clothes and had a beautiful farm with more animals than I could count. As a small child, I was always at the front of school photos, surrounded by taller kids, and I often felt like a lone wolf. Kids could be unkind, and I learned to navigate that solitude.
As I’ve grown older, I’ve noticed many people trying to keep me in that small box—telling me not to shine too brightly, not to draw attention, and not to use my voice. But looking back on my childhood and the lessons I learned, I’m incredibly grateful for the resilience and the hard work that shaped me. I met my husband in high school, and now we have two grown children. The value of family and living with purpose and freedom is everything to me. I no longer dim my light for others. I’ve found my voice as a wife, a mom, an entrepreneur, a philanthropist, and, above all, the woman God created me to be.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me what success never could. It brought transformation, wisdom, and growth, and deepened my reliance on God, strengthened my faith, and instilled compassion and purpose. For instance, I remember growing up without a refrigerator and using the snow to keep our food cool. At the time, it felt a bit embarrassing, but as I grew older, it taught me humility and the importance of resilience. It also taught me to find humor in the little things—like remembering where we buried the eggs, the steak, and the milk each morning for breakfast.
Another example from my childhood is the daily routine of feeding the farm animals and gathering eggs before heading off to school. Often, I’d be so busy with my chores that I’d forget to eat breakfast and end up picking fruit from the trees on my way to the bus stop. These moments taught me perseverance, time management, and the value of hard work from a young age. They also taught me independence and adaptability and how to find small joys even in the busiest mornings. This is perhaps one of the reasons why I felt so passionately about starting my healthy snack food businesses, Fresh Roots Seattle and Fresh Roots Texas.
These experiences shaped me in profound ways, teaching me resilience, empathy, and a deeper connection to my roots—lessons that success alone could never impart.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What truths are so foundational in your life that you rarely articulate them?
At the core of my life are certain foundational truths that I live by, even if I don’t always articulate them. Resilience is one of these core truths, forged through challenges and hardships, and it’s become a guiding principle in my journey. Empathy and compassion also lie at the heart of who I am, deeply rooted in my own experiences and the lessons they’ve taught me. My strong connection to family and community further underscores my commitment to uplifting others, and that dedication is woven into everything I do, from my entrepreneurial endeavors to my philanthropic efforts. Ultimately, these truths are the silent anchors of my life, guiding me every day, even when I don’t explicitly name them. “In addition to my involvement with Cook Children’s Hospital, helping homeless dogs through Saving Hope in Fort Worth and Dallas, supporting The Big Good for the homeless in Texas, and working with Campfire in Fort Worth to help kids attend summer camp, I’m also passionate about mental health initiatives in Seattle, autism awareness, and upcoming philanthropic projects as well. It all reflects my deep commitment to making a positive impact.”
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
This is something I’ve thought about a lot over the years. Sometimes I wonder if we’re just going through the motions or if there’s a deeper purpose behind it all.
My own path into art started in a really personal way. When my son was going through chemotherapy in Seattle, I turned to art as a way to cope and to support him. It was in those moments that I found my passion and my voice.
At the same time, my mom went through a life-changing accident. There was a point where I had to make that unimaginable decision about life support. I prayed for guidance, and deep down, I knew that her journey wasn’t over. Miraculously, she came out of her coma, regained her ability to speak and walk, and eventually chose to be baptized. And in that miraculous moment, even though she had no feet, she walked across that stage. It was truly a testament to the power of faith and the miracles that can happen.
Seeing her journey and going through my own challenges made me realize that our purpose often reveals itself through those trials. Now, I pour myself into helping others, using my gifts and experiences to make a positive impact and truly walk in the purpose I believe I was meant for.
In the end, it’s all about faith, resilience, and finding that purpose through the challenges we face
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hrsteelefineartgallery.com
- Instagram: heatherrsteeleart
- Facebook: heatherrsteeleart
- Other: www.freshrootsseattle.com
www.freshrootstexas.com
www.teamnannydfw.com
Image Credits
HR Steele
