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I was one of those kids who just LOVED coloring
books. So
proud of my coloring skills.... staying in the
lines, perfecting my
shading.... and eventually working to recreate
the textures of the
cloth and "special effects" using an eraser over
the crayon. Woe to any other kid who scribbled in my coloring books!
Then I moved on to graphite and charcoal. I drew
from the magazines around the house. My favorites were my parents'
endless stacks of National Geographics. I particularly remember a
"portrait" of a chimpanzee which I worked very hard on. I showed
it to my teacher and she told me work on his hair more. I labored to
draw practically every individual hair, and was so proud of the result.
The other drawing I was especially proud of at this time was the face
of a giraffe. She was so elegant. I still remember these drawings as if
I were still that 10 year old, sitting on the couch, with my head
buried in my sketchpad while the world moved on around me.
My dad bought me my first oils and easel when I
was twelve. I was in heaven. Being a very shy kid, I was thrilled to
stay in my room painting hour after hour.
I decided at that time that I wanted to be an
artist. I sold my first
painting at 16. I've painted all my life. Moving
through pen-n-ink and oils, to acrylics, frolicking in pastels, and
then rediscovering oils with great joy.
Having grown up on the beaches of Southern
California, I loved roaming the area with my sketchbook and inks and
rendering everything and everyone I saw. I often drew people in
restaurants and left the drawing on the edge of their table as I passed by.
Restaurant meals were often paid for with a
drawing of the establishment.
At other times, I loaded up my tackle
box which was perfect for paints, brushes, medium, and
rags. I'd strap it into my backpack, along with
a small lightweight table easel. No fancy French
Easels for me in those days! I'd set off and find
a perfect spot to paint. Precariously wedged into
the rocks of a jetty, planted at the top of the
beachside cliffs, or carefully balanced on a large stone
in the middle of a mountain creek, I would paint and
completely lose all track of time.
Those were great
days!
Now I live and paint in Arizona. My
children are grown, and due to the support of my husband, and the encouragement
of my family and friends, I am finally able
to fully devote myself to my art.
I am greatly blessed.
~ Helen ~ |