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Helen Shideler

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Helen Shideler
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  • Home
    • Commissions
    • My Artistic Journey CV
    • FAQ’s
    • Links
    • Photo Album
    • Bio
  • Artwork
    • Available Artwork
    • My Plein Air Journey
    • My Print Shop
    • Animal Kingdom
    • East Coast Stills
    • Feathered Friends
    • Florals
    • Mussels and More
    • People
    • Poured Watercolour
    • Scapes
    • The Pond
  • Artist Blog
  • Contact me
  • Events
    • Fund Raisers
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  • Home
    • My Artistic Journey CV
    • Commissions
    • FAQ’s
    • Links
    • Photo Album
    • Bio
  • Portfolio
    • Animal Kingdom
    • Feathered Friends
    • Florals
    • Mussels and More
    • People
    • Poured Watercolour
    • Scapes
    • The Pond
    • Available Artwork
    • My Plein Air Journey
    • East Coast Stills
    • My Print Shop

Recent Posts

  • Sun, Salt and Slow Time
    In My Plein Air Adventures, Travelling Colours
  • Q1 and what have I done?
    In Artwork, Fauna - Feathers and Fur, From My Studio, Scapes - Coastal and Land, Still Life - Florals & Much More
  • 2025 A Year of Color and Attention
    In Artful Reflections, Scapes - Coastal and Land, Still Life - Florals & Much More
  • My Painting Process,  My Plein Air Adventures

    Well, I’ll be spuddled

    1 January 2024 / 2 Comments

    Well…I’m a thinking that I’ll be Spuddled Definition: to work ineffectively: to be very busy while achieving absolutely nothing Spuddle is a lovely new word that often describes my quest as a Master Procrastinator. It describes how you can feel productive in the middle of avoiding work related tasks.  And it’s fun to say. All of this supports one of my other claims to fame of getting things done right on deadline as; in just under the wire; squeaking through.  Some of us (namely me) apparently work better under pressure. The desire to spuddle often hits when I am about two thirds done a painting.  In this case two of them. …

    Read More
    Helen Shideler

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    Sunshine Yellow Azaleas

    23 March 2015

    Cascading Blooms Watercolour Complete

    28 March 2016

    Hat Trick

    3 February 2014
  • Artful Reflections,  Artwork,  My Plein Air Adventures

    I’m happy to be OuTSiDeY

    26 November 2023 / No Comments

    I just learned a new wonderful word. Outsidey  And I identify with it so much.  I love the fresh air, the warming sun and gentle breezes. Long walks on the beach.  A hike in the woods.  All the little critters (except ticks, hornets and black flies) I also love creature comforts.  Like heated car seats and heated steering wheels. Air Conditioning! Indoor heating and warm showers!  I’m essentially a wimp. I’m kind of amazed that at this point to discover a new way to describe myself. I mean I always sort of knew it – but never had a word to describe it. Outsidey! Discovering something new, no matter how…

    Read More
    Helen Shideler

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    My Painting Process

    8 September 2022

    Where oh where has my Get Up and Go gone?

    27 August 2024

    My Process to Start a New Painting

    1 December 2015
  • Lessons Learned,  My Plein Air Adventures,  Travelling Colours

    And that went fast

    13 August 2023 / 5 Comments

    And that went fast – Summer. What the heck happened? How is it possible you are leaving us so soon?  It seem like you were only a blur this year.  Anyone else feel this way? Oh, I know we can all be too busy – but this time of year I stop to smell the roses. Literally! I always say that is the sun is out…I’m out.  Only this year the sun was elusive, the weather was wet, often smokey and incredible humid!  And a lot of the blooms literally rotted on the bush. Yes, I know you know but I feel obligated to complain a bit more and remind…

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    Helen Shideler

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    Growing Skyward

    10 December 2021

    My Journey into Plein Air…so far

    1 December 2022

    Winters Light Shines Through

    21 August 2016
  • My Painting Process,  Still Life - Florals & Much More

    Dancing With the Sun

    9 May 2023 / No Comments

    I love it when paintings name themselves. Quite often as I am working on them, the name just comes to me and it almost always is the right name for the piece. This was one of those times. Dancing With the Sun. Just feels right  Were you aware that sunflowers move so that their “face” follows the sun? I think that this was so cool. So the flowers really do a slow dance with the sun each day and I danced under the sunflowers. It’s no wonder this flower makes everyone feel so much joy. The beautiful complementary yellow flowers against summers cobalt blue sky – so beautiful. Here are…

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    Helen Shideler

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    When Your Art Page Gets Hacked

    4 November 2025

    Summertime Promises

    20 May 2018

    Hat Trick

    3 February 2014
  • A Tale Unfolds,  Fauna - Feathers and Fur,  My Plein Air Adventures,  Scapes - Coastal and Land

    Lots of work happening

    11 March 2023 / No Comments

    I’ve been keeping busy with lots of works developing in my home studio. I am so grateful to be able to have this creative space and be able to keep nice and warm painting. Fresh off the easel: Choppy Waters Oh the joy I experienced painting this one. I loved the freedom of arm movements painting the waves. Felt like I was dancing. The reference photos for this painting were taken at the mouth of the Bay of Fundy. The place where the Atlantic starts to flow into a channel between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia and forming the Bay. This area is not far from Old Sow Whirlpool which…

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    Helen Shideler

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    Home Away From Home

    11 February 2024

    The problem with Prussian blue – A comedy

    21 July 2018

    Spring is finally here

    24 March 2022
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ARTIST & BLOGGER

Hi, I’m Helen. Welcome to my online home. Here, you’ll find a collection of my art creations inspired by light, colour and texture.

Explore, enjoy and feel free to connect!

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Categories

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  • Artful Reflections (15)
  • Artwork (79)
    • Fauna – Feathers and Fur (19)
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    • Still Life – Florals & Much More (38)
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  • Kudos (9)
  • My Painting Process (50)
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    • Lessons Learned (23)
    • Poured Watercolour (13)
  • My Plein Air Adventures (20)
  • Travelling Colours (20)

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coastal art Feathered Friends florals and feathers Mussel shell painting sea shore painting

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Copyright

As the artist I retain the the reproductive rights to my artwork in any form. Thank you for following along and appreciating my work.

Had to drive around to find some inspiration this Had to drive around to find some inspiration this afternoon. I loved the sky and wanted that to be the main part of my painting. Always knew that cars drive fast on country roads…but then you are standing beside the road…you really get to see how incredibly fast they drive! This is a cautionary tale not to be tempted to set up to paint on an unprotected soft shoulder.

Was so nice to feel warmth today. Happy painting day

#beautifulnewbrunswick #livelifeincolour #getoutsideandpaint #canadianartdaily #pleinaircanada
Omigoodness Omigoodness So incredibly happy to b Omigoodness Omigoodness 

So incredibly happy to be outside painting once again. I was seriously going through withdrawal. Missing both painting outside and my good friend @dalecookart .  We got wimpy this winter…but in fairness to us the wind was relentless and my new knee kinda meh. When I first started painting the wind was at my back…then it shifted…and came at me front on! My hands froze. My nose froze. I put on a coat…didn’t help. April in New Brunswick Where the seasons change three times every day 🤣.

Happy with my painting knowing my hands and paint were both frozen

#beautifulnewbrunswick #getoutsideandpaint #livelifeincolour #pleinaircanada #helenshideler
Memory Lane Omigoodness this is like a happy reun Memory Lane

Omigoodness this is like a happy reunion 

Looking through my pile of watercolour Plein Air paintings. From the beaches of PEI to San Diego and Coronado Island to Bermuda and Wyoming ….New Brunswick and BC and even Florida

So many memories and I remember every day around each of these paintings 
This is why painting from life is so important to me…the colours, the sensations and reason for the paintings are forever embedded in my memory-  and are often teased out in my studio work.
I am so blessed that I’ve been able to travel and paint

Happy memories 

#livelifeincolour #getoutsideandpaint #pleinairpainter #pleinaircanada #helenshideler
Special Commission I am so very grateful that I Special Commission 

I am so very grateful that I was asked to paint this commission. It is a really heartfelt painting for the owners and through the early discussion stage we discovered that we have a connection that made this process even more special…and emotional.  Often in our lives I profoundly believe that we are guided to make connections. This experience was most definitely one of those times. Thank you….

I combined three different photos to create this piece. 
Acrylic on cradled wood panel
12x24”

#eastcoastartist #beautifulnewbrunswick #beautifulnewbrunswick #livelifeincolour #helenshideler
“HIGH HOPES” That look of longing. Of knowing wha “HIGH HOPES”

That look of longing. Of knowing what is up there and but not how to reach it. It’s our peanut feeder. Just high enough to be out of reach and no way for him to swipe one or two. These clever birds will almost always find a way. This one started to bully the blue jays into dropping their treasured peanuts!  Quite the raucous. Quite the show!

12x12x1.5” 
Acrylic on deep cradled panel

#eastcoastartist #livelifeincolour #crowsofinstagram #crowart #helenshideler
DOING THE HOKEY POKEY So much fun….and this song DOING THE HOKEY POKEY

So much fun….and this song was going through my mind for most of the time I was painting it. Who can resist a dancing crow?

12 x 12 x1.5” acrylic on deep cradled panel

#artinprogress #eastcoastartist #helenshideler #crowart #contemporyrealism
“ATTITUDE” He didn’t fly in. He just walked. Stra “ATTITUDE”

He didn’t fly in. He just walked. Straight towards me. I was crouched on the ground at Lily Lake trying to get some great duck reference photos. Then I felt its presence. Turned with camera ready…..

No rush. No fear. Just that steady, deliberate approach — like he already owns the ground. Probably thinking I was going to feed him.

There’s something about a crow coming straight at you. Not frantic. With intent. And all “Attitude”

Acrylic on deep cradled panel 
12x12x 1.5”

#crow #contemporarypainting #birdart #eastcoastartist #helenshideler
“Moonlit Magic” I had a vision for this painting “Moonlit Magic”

I had a vision for this painting with a very dark background…and it worked. But only in the daytime. So I went back in and lit up the background some…and now the painting works in the evening and daytime.

I’m surprising myself at how much I’m enjoying acrylics I’ve again…mind you not the dry time. I have a mini split in my studio. Often the painting works is literally dry on my brush before I can get it on my painting. This is tough on my brushes as well.  Working through my supply of surfaces in hopes of bringing it down to a reasonable stash. Called high hopes eh?

11x14 acrylic on cradled wood panel

#eastcoastartist #helenshideler #studiowork #artinprogress
“Spring Delivery” The robins bring joy to my hear “Spring Delivery”

The robins bring joy to my heart. They are most often the first of the migratory birds to come back - giving us hope that spring really is on its way. And with that hope comes nesting season.  We have had robins nest at our cottage, at our home beside our power meter, and in our climbing hydrangeas in our backyard. It is always delightful and feels like such a privilege to see. 

Spring Delivery is a bit of an experiment. I started out by pouring acrylics….they were not happy to pour on this surface - but I stayed with it and it worked out. My goal was to add some depth before I started painting. 

Acrylic on gesso board. 12x16”

#eastcoastartist #robinsofinstagram #nestingrobin #birdsinart #helenshideler
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Recent Posts

  • Sun, Salt and Slow Time
    In My Plein Air Adventures, Travelling Colours
  • Q1 and what have I done?
    In Artwork, Fauna - Feathers and Fur, From My Studio, Scapes - Coastal and Land, Still Life - Florals & Much More
  • 2025 A Year of Color and Attention
    In Artful Reflections, Scapes - Coastal and Land, Still Life - Florals & Much More
  • When Your Art Page Gets Hacked
    In Artful Reflections, Lessons Learned, My Painting Process, Scapes - Coastal and Land

Categories

Copyright

As the artist I retain the the reproductive rights to my artwork in any form.

My Artwork may not be photographed, sketched, painted, added in part or in whole to any other artwork, or reproduced in any manner without the express written consent of the artist prior to moving forward.

Thank you for following along and appreciating my work.

©Helen Shideler

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