THE SOUND OF ART-MAKING
The sound of music in my studio orchestrates how the brush combines glue and acrylics into unique collage paintings. Music is my inspriation that allows ideas to flow into the final work. Each painting is a new discovery and I enjoy the process of seeing my vision come to life.
My collaging process is a mechanical one of visualizing how pieces come together to create a whole image. Like an experiment, there is freedom to connect things that did not belong together a second ago, but do now. When cutting or tearing appropriately sized and shaped pieces, I challenge the accuracy of my spatial judgment. Collage sometimes hides artistic decisions. Witnessing layers of materials build up, I like to shelter these secrets.
I rely on acrylic painted rice paper in solid colors or patterns with multiple layers of color. Also utilized are string, fabric, foil and other textured materials. The acrylic collage process involves gluing down materials, then adding paint, then more collage materials. There is a synergy between paint and paper and often knowing when to stop can be a challenge. When the sounds are in tune, when the paint and collage are working together, then I know I'm playing the correct notes. How do I know when the collage painting is finished? When my mind hears the collage painting play a livey finale.
A PASSION FOR COLLAGE PAINTINGS
Helen happily exchanged her studio in Moab, Utah, for an 800 square foot one in Santa Fe (actually Lamy; pronounced "lay' me"), New Mexico, in 2022. It is called Howling Coyote Studio and is the perfect place to engage in painting and collaging. The coyotes, who howl and viciously laugh while they roam amongst the junipers, keep her company.
Helen's art adventures began while growing up in northeast Ohio. Being creative seemed to be a necessity. Pencils, crayons, scissors, and glue were tools for every kind of invention.
Perhaps, her family's interests and hobbies, which fill a treasure chest of inspiration, are how she caught the artistic bug. From her paternal grandmother who painted florals on fine china from Europe, to her maternal grandmother who painted landscapes of Midwestern USA; and from her father who sculpted and painted, to her mother who crafted so many projects, Helen was impacted by several generations of creativity. She is grateful for all their passions to invent and actualize their visions.
After receiving a liberal arts degree from The College of Wooster, she and her husband started setting up roots in Ohio. But the great mountain vistas of Colorado and Utah eventually drew them out West. One day they packed all their belongings in a Hertz-Penske truck and Helen, in the family car, and her husband, in the truck, left Akron, Ohio, destined for Salt Lake City, Utah. They resided in several cities and towns in Utah for 33 years.
In addition to their fondness for the mountains, they appreciated the red rocks of Moab, Utah, where they lived for 15 years. While there, Helen was a founding board member of Gallery Moab and acted as their treasurer. Then opportunity knocked and they answered by moving to Santa Fe, New Mexico, where they enjoy the dining, visual arts, and music which this enchanted city is known for. Rounding out the family is Lockey, the Destroyer. She is an orange Tabby kitty, known for biting and tearing most things.
Helen's art education has been a personal and passionate dedication to practicing art; attending workshops; teaching drawing, painting & collaging; reading and journaling. After using a wide variety of materials from pencil, charcoal and pen & ink to pastels, oils, acrylics and mixed media, she admits there are favorites. Charcoal drawing and collaging have won her heart.
Workshopping has taken her across most of the western states. At Robert Burridge's mentor workshops in California, she recieved guidance in an intensive, self-directed learning experience. A current inspiration is Elizabeth St. Hilaire, a popular collage artist. She is a guide for utilizing new materials and new techniques in collaging. Another exciting artist Helen studied with is Jesse Reno. Although not a collage artist, his intensity and joy for art making is stimulating and catchy. She has attended other workshops with notable artists like Marla Baggetta, Jeanne Rosier Smith, Richard McKinley, Doug Dawson, Dawn Emerson and Pat Dews.
Currently, she is mentoring with Natasha Isenhour, a pastelist and oil painter. Although not a collage artist, Natasha shares her artistic passion. She not only asks pertinent questions, but encourages other artists to ask their own questions and give their own answers. Helen participated in an intensive three week workshop with Natasha which involved a self-designed art making expereince at Ghost Ranch near Abiquiu, New Mexico.
Her dive into books has turned her attention to several artists. Richard Diebenkorn, who was so steadfast in studying one topic for so long in his "Ocean Park" series, has attracted her admiration. And the elegance of Robert Motherwell's large black shapes on white remain impressive. Currently, she is reading manuscripts by 19th and 20th century authors about light, shadows and shading.
Helen's main mission in art is to make something that has never existed in the world. Helen explains her dreams for the future, "I hope to grow in my work so that it enriches who I am and satisfies my life as an artist, as well as enriches the lives of the viewer. I hope to be inpsired by those who find meaning in what I do."
GALLERY REPRESENTATION
2020 - 2021, 2014 Gallery Moab, Moab, UT
2019 Agora Gallery, Chelsea, NY
2012, 2010 Overlook Gallery, Moab, UT
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2024 40th Annual Juried Exhibit, National Collage Society, Meyerhoff Gallery, Maryland Institute Collage of Art, Baltimore, Maryland, juried, group.
2024 Utterly Profound, ISEA, online, group.
2024 - Still Life, 2nd Annual Juried Exhibition, Publication and Sales, Gallerium, juried, group.
2023 26th Annual Small Format Exhibit, National Collage Society, Kansas City Public Library, Kansas City, MO, group.
2023 100th Anniversary Galex 56 National Juried Competition, Galesburg Community Arts Center, Galesburg, IL, juried, group.
2023 7th Annual Black & White Juried Art Competition, Fusion Art, online, group.
2022 38th Annual Juried Exhibit, National Collage Society, Coburn Art Gallery, Ashland University, Ashland, OH, juried, group.
2022 Utterly Unfatthomable & Powerfully Profound, ISEA, online, group.
2020 Texture & Surface Online Exhibition, NAWA, juried.
2018 64 ARTS National Juried Exhibition, Buchanan Arts Center, Monmouth, IL.
2018 4th Annual Members’ Only Virtual Exhibition, ISEA, group.
2018 Art at the Center National Juried Exhibition, Overland Park, KS.
2018 311 Gallery Abstracts National Juried Show, 311 Gallery, Raleigh, NC.
2017 2nd Annual Online All Members’ Show, ISAP, group.
2017 21st Annual National Lines into Shapes Competition, Estes Park, CO.
2017 International Society of Experimental Artists’ 26th Annual Exhibition, Sanibel Island, FL.
PRIVATE COLLECTORS
Scott Anderson, Pres. Zions Bank & Jessalee Anderson, Salt Lake City, UT
Mike Barry & Dr. Joanne Becker, Orchard Park, NY
Robert & Alane Boyd, Park City, UT
Dennis & Ruth Brown, Castle Valley, UT
Steve & Laura Houston, Sun Valley, ID
Marcia & Gail Lea, Moab, UT
Mike & Beth McCue, Moab, UT
Howard McPherson, Moab, UT
Richard & Joan Peters, Park City, UT
Dianne Vanarsdol, Moab, UT
Joe & Janet Zolyak, Norton, OH
AFFILIATIONS
International Society of Experimental Artists, Signature Member
National Collage Society
AWARDS/GRANT/COMMUNITY
2024 Cash Award Winner, 40th Annual Juried Exhibit, National Collage Society, Meyerhoff Gallery, Maryland Institute Collage of Art, Baltimore, Maryland, juried, group.
2022 Cash Award Winner, 38th Annual Juried Exhibit, National Collage Society, Coburn Art Gallery, Ashland University, Ashland, OH, juried
2022 Collage workshop instructor, Pagosa Springs, CO
2016 - 2020 Drawing and painting instructor, Rabbit Ears Art Place, Moab, UT
2018 2nd Place, 4th Annual Members’ Only Virtual Exhibition, ISEA
2017 Moab Community Arts Grant, Moab Arts Council, Moab, UT
2015 Jack Richeson Award, Peninsula Art League Open Juried Show, Gig Harbor, WA
2014 Founding Board Director of Gallery Moab, Moab, UT
