Alumna Belle (Martha) Heppard, M.D., Shares How La Pietra Continues to Color Her Journey

Belle (Martha) Heppard, M.D. was a student at La Pietra - Hawai’i School for Girls (HSG) during the 1970s. While ultimately graduating from Punahou School, Heppard continues to foster lifelong friendships with HSG classmates. In particular, she shares a special connection with the Class of 1978 (the year Heppard herself would have graduated from HSG). 

As a school, La Pietra - HSG believes that any student who calls the campus home is considered alumnae, not just its graduates. Heppard embodies the spirit of an HSG alumna. In a recent interview, she encapsulated HSG’s lasting impacts. “When we graduate or leave from La Pietra (HSG), we have a sense of ourselves — who we are and the community and family we are from.”

A core sense of self, community, and family has shaped her life. After high school, Heppard graduated Magna Cum Laude from Harvard University in 1982. She then graduated from the University of Southern California School of Medicine in 1986 and the University of California, Irvine in 1990. She became a practicing OB/GYN, investing deeply in her patients and creating innovations in the field. 

As Heppard deeply understands, life is never linear. Supporting herself through school and achieving levels of success due to commitment, tenacity, and giving back, she developed a contagious sense of curiosity and adventure. Residing in Colorado, she additionally grew a great appreciation for the beauty of nature -- similar to how she admired the beauty of Hawai’i growing up. 

Her ability to see beyond the path, beyond the present, allowed Heppard to discover and nurture her artistic self. After persevering through several life hardships, from professional setbacks to medical complications, she understood that there needed to be a change; there needed to be something that would redefine her life’s purpose. 

After leaving her practice, she credits her supportive friends from HSG for supporting a dive into art -- a subject she deeply enjoyed as a child. Heppard flourished in art the same way she soared in medicine. 

In an article from ArtDiction Magazine, Heppard describes her work in Watercolor Batik: 

“While not initially familiar with watercolor batiking, I first learned of the traditional batiking of textiles when I was 11 years old. I grew up in Honolulu, Hawai’i...Because of the strong Asian influence in Hawai’i, Asian art and textile techniques were an integral part of my school’s art curriculum. Textile batiking flourished in Asia during the 1970’s, and thus, my classmates and I learned to batik fabric as part of our art curriculum.

After following my passion for art for many years and trying to develop a soft style, I was introduced to watercolor batik on rice paper. This method—the technique of batik that I had known for decades—was just what I needed.

I fell in love with the process and outcome. Although I still paint in the traditional methods of watercolor and oil, I specialize in painting watercolor batiks on rice paper.”

Heppard went on to write a book, Watercolor Batik; An Artist’s Guide to Watercolor Batik on Rice Paper, and create a revolutionary device called The Artist Angle to aid artists on perspective work. Her work is displayed in several locations, including the Colorado State Capitol and Denver Art Museum. 

Despite the endless adventures Heppard has created and experienced, she still fondly holds her experience at HSG close to her heart. “We from Hawai’i know what Ohana is — our friends are our family. And with that support and the support of excellent educators, a nourishing environment… We become young dedicated women who will give back to the world.” We are proud to call Heppard, and all those who discovered their purpose here, HSG alumna.

To learn more about Heppards work and art visit: https://artistangle.com/