Bio
About Helen
I’m a Canadian artist based in Quispamsis, New Brunswick, and I paint colourful, detailed images of the natural world. My work moves between birds, flowers, coastal scenes, shells and landscapes—pretty much anything that makes me stop, look a little longer and think, I want to paint that.
I work primarily in oils, watercolour and acrylic, and I enjoy the different possibilities each medium offers. Much of my inspiration comes from simply paying attention to what is around me: the way light falls across a flower, the colour of a bird’s feathers, the shapes and textures left behind by the tide, or a fleeting moment outdoors that I don’t want to forget.
My paintings are detailed, but they aren’t really about copying what I see. I’m interested in capturing what resonates with me about a subject and finding a way to translate that feeling onto the canvas. I often think of painting as sculpting with paint—building up layers of colour, texture and brushwork until the painting begins to have its own presence.
I also love painting outdoors. For more than 15 years I have participated in plein air festivals and expos throughout Canada and the United States. Working outside brings an element of spontaneity to my work. The light changes, the weather changes, and sometimes the scene changes before I have finished painting it. That’s part of the challenge—and part of the fun.
I’m an elected member of the Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour (CSPWC) and the Society of Canadian Artists (SCA). My work has been included in invitational and juried exhibitions across Canada, the United States and internationally, and is held in private and corporate collections in Canada and the U.S. My paintings have received recognition and awards, including Best in Show.
But underneath all of that, I keep coming back to the same reason I started painting: I love looking closely at the world.
Painting gives me an excuse to slow down, notice the colour and detail around me, and share what I see with others. If a painting makes someone pause for a moment and feel something—a sense of place, a memory, or simply the pleasure of seeing something beautiful—then I’ve done what I hoped to do.
I invite you to explore my online studio and see what has caught my eye lately.
“Life is a work of art. May yours be colourful!”
