Heidi is a Professor of Costume Design at Murray State University where she has been for over 11 years. She has two children ages 7 and 4. In this episode, she talks about the struggles her husband and she have had making a life in a rural town. Heidi landed the secure professorial job in Murray, leaving her husband, Daniel, to be the homemaker and main caregiver for the kids. Daniel just recently returned to work which was a process for the entire family.
Heidi elaborates on how she felt when her kids were born, her philosophy on how to keep a creative household and what sorts of anxieties she has navigated since becoming a mother.
Heidi sorting through costumes in one of several storage closets. 
Heidi’s hands completing a task they have done countless times before. 
Heidi working on a serger. 
A closeup of one of Heidi’s designs for the production “Treasure Island”. Image courtesy Heidi Ortega 
A few of Heidi’s designs from the production “Saturday’s Voyeur”. Image courtesy Heidi Ortega
Heidi Ortega Bio
Heidi Ortega is the Associate Professor of Costume Design for Murray State University in Murray KY. She has been at MSU for 11 years. She earned her Master of Arts Degree in Theatrical Design & Production from Humboldt State University and her MFA in Costume Design at Virginia Commonwealth University. She has designed for film, theatre, dance & the Jr. Miss America Pageant. She has been designing for over 25 years. She has taught and designed in Virginia, Utah, California, Kentucky, and as far away as Beijing China.
Heidi’s designs can be viewed at http://www.heidiortega.com/design.html
An spectacle of color exemplifies the incredible organization required in this shop. 
A sewing room for students showing eight of the 29 or so total machines she has around the shop. 
This shop goes on and on. 
More examples of intense organization. 
An example of how all garments are labelled. 
Just some guy that was hanging around.
Mother's Project 