Stephanie Helmey
Artist Statement
When I listen to the news or read the papers I’m made aware of so much that is ugly in my world, and so I find myself actively seeking beauty every day – and I find it. I find it in obvious places, and I find it in unexpected places too.
Oil paint is my current medium. I love its richness and sensual qualities as
it’s applied to the canvas. While my work is realistic, I love exuberant
brushwork and colors. Since I’m always looking for beauty around me, and I
find it in lots of different settings, I paint lots of different subjects. I paint florals, figures and faces, street scenes, landscapes and still lifes of objects that interest me – I like to share whatever I see that makes me stop and look closer.
When I am moved to look closer, I try to understand what exactly it was that made me stop and look. Sometimes a scene is so gorgeous that the answer is obvious, like a sunset or an especially exquisite blossom. But sometimes, the answer is less obvious. Maybe it’s a look on someone’s face, or the posture of someone moving with purpose. Maybe the beautiful skin of a youthful person caught my eye, or the fabulous wrinkles on the face of an elder; maybe the hands of someone who has worked with the earth for many years, or the light of mischief in a child’s eye. When I see something that makes my heart sing because it is so beautiful, I always want to share it!
If through my gift of painting I can share with another person the beauty that I see and feel all around me every day, maybe I can be a source of joy in my world. I suppose my goal is just that, to create something that
becomes a source of joy, a source of delight and pleasure to another person.
When I listen to the news or read the papers I’m made aware of so much that is ugly in my world, and so I find myself actively seeking beauty every day – and I find it. I find it in obvious places, and I find it in unexpected places too.
Oil paint is my current medium. I love its richness and sensual qualities as
it’s applied to the canvas. While my work is realistic, I love exuberant
brushwork and colors. Since I’m always looking for beauty around me, and I
find it in lots of different settings, I paint lots of different subjects. I paint florals, figures and faces, street scenes, landscapes and still lifes of objects that interest me – I like to share whatever I see that makes me stop and look closer.
When I am moved to look closer, I try to understand what exactly it was that made me stop and look. Sometimes a scene is so gorgeous that the answer is obvious, like a sunset or an especially exquisite blossom. But sometimes, the answer is less obvious. Maybe it’s a look on someone’s face, or the posture of someone moving with purpose. Maybe the beautiful skin of a youthful person caught my eye, or the fabulous wrinkles on the face of an elder; maybe the hands of someone who has worked with the earth for many years, or the light of mischief in a child’s eye. When I see something that makes my heart sing because it is so beautiful, I always want to share it!
If through my gift of painting I can share with another person the beauty that I see and feel all around me every day, maybe I can be a source of joy in my world. I suppose my goal is just that, to create something that
becomes a source of joy, a source of delight and pleasure to another person.
5 On A Stem
On A Shelf
Contact Stephanie
Feel free to contact Stephanie with any questions at [email protected].