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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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  • Home
    • My Artistic Journey CV
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    • FAQ’s
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    • 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
  • Artful Reflections,  From My Studio,  Lessons Learned,  Product Review

    Playing with ChatGPT

    26 April 2024 / No Comments

    I’ve been thinking that I should be more open to new technologies and decided to play with ChatGPT.  I was working on a painting of a lupin with a bee and frankly was stumped how to describe my work. I was looking for prompts – sometimes when I am painting my energy is all about how I want the painting to look not necessarily on how i’m going to describe it. Quite often I have a notebook where I write down my thoughts as I paint for this reason – sometimes not always and definitely not in this case. So I turned to ChatGPT for inspiration. The result was superfluous,…

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    Helen Shideler

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    Muscles, Mussels and More

    5 April 2025

    The problem with Prussian blue – A comedy

    21 July 2018

    When Your Art Page Gets Hacked

    4 November 2025
  • Artwork,  Helpful Hints,  My Painting Process,  Poured Watercolour,  Product Review,  Still Life - Florals & Much More

    Red Hot Pink poured watercolour

    3 May 2020 / No Comments

    Red Hot Pink poured watercolour painting with process and product review I was feeling adventurous so I experimented with a few new products – one product I love and the other – not so much. In the pink It’s been a rather long, cold and wet spring. I wanted to paint something that celebrates summer heat and sunshine. Something bold and beautiful. Also I wanted to painting something that develops quicker than my oil paintings. So I turned to my photos of last summer’s planters and found red petunias! I also took this an an opportunity to push it a bit and experiment with a couple different products. Dr Ph.…

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    Helen Shideler

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    May you live in interesting times…

    23 December 2020

    Roses for Valentines

    14 February 2016

    Muscles, Mussels and More

    5 April 2025
  • Artwork,  Helpful Hints,  Lessons Learned,  My Painting Process,  Product Review,  Still Life - Florals & Much More

    Winters Light Shines Through

    21 August 2016 / 2 Comments

    I have to admit this was one ambitious painting I think I may have a thing about straight lines and me not really know what to do with them.  I always thought I have a steady hand and a good eye… but am not thinking my astigmatism may not know how to deal with them.  Seeing this finished painting sure brings a smile to my face. We have a wonderful hanging stained glass window that was given to us Over the years we (really me) watch with fascination of how the right changes with each season.  Winter is particularly beautiful with the deep colour of the sky and the reflections…

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    Helen Shideler

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    Vigilance – oil painting of an osprey

    17 April 2020

    Call of the Raven

    26 October 2014

    I see you – painting of a sparrow

    18 May 2015
  • Artwork,  Product Review,  Travelling Colours

    Painting of a Dragonfly on the Fence

    15 July 2016 / 1 Comment

    Dragonflies We have a backyard pond complete with a waterfall and lily pads and dragonflies are frequent visitors. Frequent but they do not rest for long. Almost never long enough for me to run and get may camera and get back down the stairs.  And my camera is by the door when I am home! On the Fence But I have gotten lucky a few times. One summer’s day a dragonfly landed on my friend Jackie’s belly. And I had my camera right there.  I just had to convince her not to swoosh him away until I got the photos. This was quite the challenge for her – but being…

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    Helen Shideler

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    May you live in interesting times…

    23 December 2020

    Here we go again for the 4th time

    5 February 2018

    That September Feeling in the Air

    24 August 2015
  • 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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    Memories of California

    11 May 2017

    Planning My Packing

    2 September 2013

    Week 3 of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge

    19 February 2018
12

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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  • Artful Reflections (14)
  • Artwork (77)
    • Fauna – Feathers and Fur (18)
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    • Scapes – Coastal and Land (13)
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    • 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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