From landscape paintings of the Rocky Mountains to studies of the flora and fauna of Kelowna, B.C., the scenery of western Canada has come to define Hélène's art.
In 1997, after a career in nursing, Hélène left her native Ontario to retire in Canmore, Alta., and be closer to family. It’s there, in that vibrant artistic community, that she found the opportunity to study watercolour painting with veteran artist Donna Jo Massie and embrace a lifelong dream of pursuing art. As a member of the Canmore Artists and Artisans Guild, she exhibited art and photographic works several times per year in group settings and, in 2010, in a joint exhibition with oil painter Kathleen Wheeler.
Since moving to Kelowna in 2011, the mother of two became a member of the Parkinson Pleasure Painters, exhibited work at the Kelowna Art Gallery and enjoyed acrylic painting classes with Marlene G. McPherson at the Lake Country Art Gallery.
Because of its fluidity and transparency, watercolour canvasses have proven to be a signature of the artist's work. But, always curious to explore new mediums, Hélène has also worked in acrylic in recent years and come to appreciate that medium, too, for its intensity and texture quality. She has also been drawn to photography, both as an artform and inspiration for canvasses and greeting-card reproductions.
To contact Hélène, please write to helenemk@hotmail.com