Hetty de Gannes was born in Trinidad where she attended The Bishops Anstey High School. She then enrolled in the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology and the Manchester College of Art in the United Kingdom. Furthering her studies in Art, she returned to the West Indies completing courses in Clay and Metal Sculpture at The University of the West Indies. She also attended sculpture workshops in the United States of America and Canada and participated in in-shop foundry training in Portland, Oregon and the State of Washington.

Hetty has received various awards throughout her artistic career. She was presented two consecutive awards for the Best Design in the Buy Local Carnival Jamboree; The Trinidad and Tobago Insurance Limited Mural Design Competition Award; The Trinidad Business and Professional Women's Club Award and the George Bailey Trophy Design Competition Award. Hetty's stamp design was chosen by the United Nations to commemorate International Women's Year and was printed in two denominations for Trinidad and Tobago.

She has also been invited to participate in the Jamaica Ceramic and Bronze Exhibition and in the China Changchun Sculpture Conference and Symposium in August 2003.

She has hosted solo, joint and mixed exhibitions in Trinidad and Tobago and countries around the world. Some of these include: Canada Expo 67'; Sao Paolo Biennials, Brazil; Commonwealth Exhibition U.K.; Organization of American States, Washington; India International Women's Exhibition; and Carifesta, Caribbean.

She is a deeply spiritual person, and is very grateful to the Almighty for her creative talents, three sons, and a happy marriage of thirty-five years. She shares love of family and art with her orchids and music of Trinidad, especially the indigenous music of Trinidad, the Steelpan. Having travelled extensively, the beauty of her native country continues to inspire her. The unspoilt landscape, the Northern mountain range, reminds her of a theatrical scene as it forms a continuous backdrop of ever changing shapes, is, in itself a joy to behold. The sea waves pounding on the rocks, as is seen in the North Coast area in contrast to the calm and stillness of the rivers which abound are reflective of her emotions (moods). The people, being of diverse ethnicity, produce interesting appearances, which contribute (adds) to the beauty of Trinidad and Tobago. Consequently, various cultural elements have emerged. The country is like to her a kaleidoscope, which is unique, exotic and forever stimulating.