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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
  • Blog
  • Contact me
  • Events
    • Fund Raisers
    • Exhibitions

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Site Navigation

  • Blog
  • Contact me
  • 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

  • When Your Art Page Gets Hacked
    In Artful Reflections, Lessons Learned, My Painting Process, Scapes - Coastal and Land
  • Experience the Beauty of Coastal Art This Summer
    In Events, Scapes - Coastal and Land
  • Sea Shells at the Sea Shore
    In Artwork, Scapes - Coastal and Land, Still Life - Florals & Much More
  • Events,  My Plein Air Adventures,  Travelling Colours

    Plein Air in Arizona

    1 May 2016 / 4 Comments

    I have just returned from the Plein Air Conference and Expo (PACE 16) in Tucson Arizona! And what a wonderful experience it was.  I will be creating a few posts on this experience I am sure. There was so much to do and to take in.   I met up with a few friends there Jane Hagen Freeman and Marilyn Wear.  Marilyn was a prize winner – was so exciting to be there to see her win!  We attended many daily sessions for interest and to help us hone our plein air skills.   I also met up with Poppy Balser from Nova Scotia! It was so hot there that my…

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    Helen Shideler

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    Plein Air Convention -Post #2

    23 May 2016

    SKB Workshop in Dubois WY 2014

    28 September 2014

    To Santa Fe and back

    24 April 2018
  • Events

    30 Day Challenge Complete for Another Year

    3 February 2016 / No Comments

    This year was for the birds. In a manner of speaking.  Although if you asked me the week prior to the challenge what it would was going to look like I probably would not have suggested I would paint birds and in acrylics exclusively. Wow, I find it so difficult to believe this challenge came and went so quickly. Although I felt each and every day of January because of the commitment.  And I want to thank everyone for your continued support.  I have to admit, people asking me daily what will you be posting tonight kept just enough heat on to keep me going! Moving on We are into February…

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    Helen Shideler

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    To Santa Fe and back

    24 April 2018

    Early wrap to this years challenge

    25 February 2018

    SCA Art Chat with Helen

    30 April 2021
  • Events,  Fauna - Feathers and Fur,  Product Review

    Week 1 – Gone to the Birds

    7 January 2016 / No Comments

    I joined in another challenge to paint 30 Paintings in 30 Days.   The first week quickly became about painting chickadees!I knew the challenge was coming up so between Christmas and New Years I braved the elements to attempt to get as many photographs as possible.  I stood out on our deck for hours.  Freezing my fingers off while waiting for the perfect photo opportunity.  Interesting enough, it did not take me too long to figure out that these feathers cherubs are much faster than I.  I managed to get many empty feeder shots. And a few with the snow flying as the little cuties flew off the feeder.  …

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    Helen Shideler

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    30 Day Challenge Complete for Another Year

    3 February 2016

    Memories of California

    11 May 2017

    I Had a Total Blast

    6 October 2013
  • Events,  Poured Watercolour,  Still Life - Florals & Much More

    Demo Poured Painting Colours of Autumn

    15 November 2015 / No Comments

    Yesterday was such a nice day.  I had the opportunity to paint at the Hooper’s Studio in Hampton with some really great folks.  This is the kick off weekend for their Small Works Show and they invited a number of us to participate. I worked on a demo poured painting piece.   As this was a demo, I had to take some “short cuts” to try to get it done in a day.  Typically I prefer to pour one colour in a session.  For this piece I had to pour two and sometimes three colours in one session.  I liked the way the colours mingled on the wet paper but…

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    Helen Shideler

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    To Santa Fe and back

    24 April 2018

    Stone Church Artist’s Residency

    23 October 2022

    My Painting in 2014 CSPWC Show

    1 November 2014
  • Events,  Fauna - Feathers and Fur,  Kudos

    Great News “Call of the Raven” Won an Award at the CPSWC Open Water Show

    8 November 2015 / No Comments

    Dear Helen, we are thrilled to inform you that your painting Call of The Raven has been awarded theD.L Stevenson Award, (Gift certificate award)…. ​Congratulations on this prestigious prize. Pretty exciting.  Especially since I embarked on a project to paint ravens with the CSPWC Open Water juried show in mind.  Last year when we visited  Yellowstone National Park there were a number of particularly friendly ravens in the parking lot at Artist’s Point.  They were walking around the travel trailers looking for handouts and cawing their hearts out.  One raven in particular was following me around and without being intrusive, I was able to get many really nice reference photos.…

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    Helen Shideler

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    Painting Returns Home with Two Awards

    9 December 2014

    To Santa Fe and back

    24 April 2018

    Another 30 day challenge complete

    31 January 2017
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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

  • A Tale Unfolds (5)
  • Artful Reflections (14)
  • Artwork (77)
    • Fauna – Feathers and Fur (18)
    • People (4)
    • Scapes – Coastal and Land (13)
    • Still Life – Florals & Much More (36)
  • Events (25)
  • From My Studio (11)
    • Product Review (7)
  • Kudos (9)
  • My Painting Process (50)
    • Helpful Hints (7)
    • Lessons Learned (23)
    • Poured Watercolour (13)
  • My Plein Air Adventures (19)
  • Travelling Colours (19)

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coastal art 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.

The big debate was on… Should I sent this painting The big debate was on…
Should I sent this painting to the pit to burn? Or should I try to salvage it?

Honestly, I’ve always been of the mind that there is nothing you can’t fix…you just have to want to. Oh and get over the fear of messing it up. But, I was already on the fence with this painting  because…well the alien branch thing. So really, I had nothing to loose.

And now that I went back in I see the potential of staying with it. 🤞

#artinprogress #studiowork #livelifeincolour #helenshideler #bluejayart
Work in progress Sometimes some paintings take sl Work in progress

Sometimes some paintings take slow time. Each shell telling me it ok to slow down. Enjoy the process. Some things are simply just worth the time.

This is one of those paintings. And I’m good with it. I ponder which shell goes where and how they may fit together. When I step back and study it…it is feeling right. I’m hoping to complete this coming week. 🤞A few shells each day.

#eastcoastartist #studiowork #livelifeincolour #artinprogress #helenshideler
I have a shell collection from years ago They are I have a shell collection from years ago
They are my treasures - and, although I probably will not add to it any more. I love them. There are many beaches now with signs asking that people do not remove shells from the beach as they are an important contributor to beach sand. 

I thought about returning them to where I found them but I know the minute I drop them - someone else will pick them up. 

So they remain in my treasured collection. My models. They have been painted many times…and here we go again!

#eastcoastartist #artinprogress #livelifeincolour #studiowork #moonsnails #moonsnailpaintings #ontheeasel #helenshideler
To the pit! Sometimes the only solution is to let To the pit!

Sometimes the only solution is to let them burn. This is a group of Plein Air paintings that I wasn’t happy with. Often I’ll hang onto them for a bit to see if there was something to learn from what or where I messed up. Then it’s time to let them go - I mean I’d never want anyone to see them right?

Burning them is so therapeutic!

#eastcoastartist #pleinaircanada #getoutsideandpaint #livelifeincolour #burnbabyburn #byebye #tothepit #canadianartist #helenshideler
Tidal Keepsake A walk on the beach is how I love Tidal Keepsake

A walk on the beach is how I love to recharge. I love all the smells and sounds of the wave action. Whether the waves are gentle or crashing…they are healing. When I’m walking on the beach I keep my eyes open for treasures. Whether it’s birds to photograph, a piece of sea glass to pocket. All treasures!

But when I happen upon a collection of gathered shells - they stop me in my tracks. And I photograph them knowing that one day they may be the focus of my next shell painting. 

12 x 12” acrylic on gallery depth gessobord

#eastcoastartist #artinprogress #livelifeincolour #studiowork #musselshells #coastalart #seasidepainting #artofthesea #oceaninspired #beachfinds #musselshellart #creativeprocess #contemporaryartwork #helenshideler
Update - I'm sold. Thank you @handworksgallerysj Update - I'm sold. Thank you @handworksgallerysj 

No Place to Hide

Especially when you are this stunning. Definitely not easy to hide…especially in the evergreens.

This was an interesting painting to create. I liked it quite fine before I decided to add the background - it was always the plan. I was just a bit tentative as I liked the cardinal on its own. I knew where I was going with this (or where I hoped it would go) - just wondered if I could get it there. I mean that first step. Eek was a nail biter!

12x12” acrylic on deep cradled birch panel

#eastcoastartist #beautifulnewbrunswick #artinprogress #studiowork #livelifeincolour #canadianartdaily #birdsinart #northerncardinal #northerncardinalsofinstagram #canadianartist #featheredfriends #backyardbirds #helenshideler
Sidewalk Stepping and Strutting in Style And a pa Sidewalk Stepping and Strutting in Style

And a pair of crows 🐦‍⬛ paintings joining the little painted flock. Getting gallery ready soon.

#eastcoastartist #livelifeincolour #studiowork #featheredfriends #birdsinart #crowsinart #blackbirdpainting #botanicalbirds #crowsofinstagram #backyardbirds #helenshideler
Sapphire Blues So many delightful birds to paint Sapphire Blues

So many delightful birds to paint - I think this blue jay may be one of my favourites. The colours…pure joy!

For a while I stepped away from smaller works as they take almost the same amount of time as larger pieces.  But they are so versatile. They can hang in a small space. Sit on a bookshelf. Or tuck into a corner to catch your eye and make you smile. More to follow soon!

8”x 8” acrylic on cradled birch panel

#eastcoastartist #beautifulnewbrunswick #artinprogress #studiowork #livelifeincolour #botanicalbirds #bluejayart #bluejaypainting #birdsinart #bluejaysofinstagram #helenshideler #backyardbirds #mightyminis #instabirds #canadianartist
Crimson Cardinal We have grape vines that grow ac Crimson Cardinal

We have grape vines that grow across a pergola by our kitchen window. The birds love to perch there to ensure they feel safe enough to come into the feeders. They provide us with endless enjoyment and entertainment!

This is an acrylic painting - which let me play with watery paint to get the effect of the background grape vines. Fun painting 

This painting will be donation for a fund raiser for the IWK Hospital - a cause near and dear to my heart!

#eastcoastartist #artinprogress #studiowork #livelifeincolour #birdsinart #northerncardinal #newbrunswickartist #canadianartist #cardinalsofinstagram #helenshideler
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Recent Posts

  • When Your Art Page Gets Hacked
    In Artful Reflections, Lessons Learned, My Painting Process, Scapes - Coastal and Land
  • Experience the Beauty of Coastal Art This Summer
    In Events, Scapes - Coastal and Land
  • Sea Shells at the Sea Shore
    In Artwork, Scapes - Coastal and Land, Still Life - Florals & Much More
  • Horizon Health and the most excellent after care
    In Artful Reflections

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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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