About Mary Helen

Education/Accomplishments: BFA degree from Sophie Newcomb College, Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. Major in sculpture, minor in 3 dimensional design, ceramic sculpture. Have been in the Interior Design field for 20 years. Also designing floral gardens. My home was on the Phoenix Home and garden tour for my garden and art studio. I grew up in New Orleans surrounded by a lush natural beauty of gardens. Desert landscape presented an extreme contrast to the gentle beauty of the floral forest of the South. In the vibrant palette of the desert blossom, I discovered, in a different setting, the same uplifting emotion brought on by Nature's creativity. Now that I have moved back to my beloved South Louisiana, I am painting natural landscapes and flora of the area. The beautiful swamps and rivers are an inspiration to me. Also all of the natural flora that blooms throughout the year.

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Type of painting: I have a sense of structure, form and balance that is apparent in both subject matter and interpretation. My flowers move out of the flat plane of the canvas into the space of the viewer. I see color and form constantly changing with the environment. In the single blossom, the focus is on the flower as a vital force and energy. Thru color and size of flower shows the power and energy sustained in the flower.

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The power of the earth, which the flower emits is represented in the blossom attached to the remainder of the plant which gets it's strength and nourishment from the earth. I feel the Louisiana's landscapes show a magnificent display of many of God's beautiful creations. It is from God's greatness through His magnificent palette that I draw my inspiration and creativity.