About the Art
Helen Wilson- Mixed Media Artist Statement
My love of all things Botanical began at a young age, as I grew up in Southern California playing daily in my Grandmother’s lush garden. I have fond memories of swinging from the branches of the avocado trees and hiding among the bamboo plants. My art career began as a middle school student doodling on cereal boxes, gum wrappers and phone books.This was a habit that adults did not always appreciate. At the age of 16 I was introduced to the wonder of a Rapidograph technical pen. I spent hours drawing and found art to be a means of communication. Entering into adulthood,and the world of work and family life, I set my artistic interests aside.
Jump ahead several decades and in the 90’s, my family and I moved to the edge of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. My childhood fascination with the natural world was rekindled and I found myself needing to give voice to the botanical world around me .I discovered a fascination for the relationship between “outer and inner”. The dormancy of winter plants, the buzzing of the pollinators, the hidden work of chlorophyll, the rhythm of the seasons, the mystery of seeds and the amazing world of grasses became some of my themes. The infinite layers found in nature are a common thread throughout my mixed media process. Also, I have come to consider that the botanical world has a message for us.There is more to life than meets the eye!
Over several years, I tried many different artistic approaches and finally discovered my voice in the mixed media collage process. I actually devised my own process of 3-D paper collage, also considered as a low relief sculpture. I use acrylic paints, mediums, inks, mono-printing, sgraffito and metal leaf
in my work. I also include asemic writing and numbers in many of my works as a means of giving voice to the botanical world. Recently, I have begun to use my process to create free standing paper assemblages. I am currently learning how to incorporate recycled cardboard into some of my pieces.
For those of you who enjoy reading artist resumes
HELEN WILSON RESUME
Helen Wilson
Mixed Media & Paper Collage Artist
EDUCATION
Morgan Conservancy of Paper:
Numerous mixed media workshops
Mixed Media and Collage Under:
Jean Deemer, ACS
Diane Mauer, Author and mixed media artist
Ann Woods, mixed media artist
Numerous classes and workshops
EXHIBITIONS
2022
“Parallel Voices”- collaboration with artist
Susan Mencini at Peg’s Gallery
In Hudson Ohio, March22-May24
October- Third Place in Akron’s 20th Annual Kaleidoscope Show
October- Two pieces accepted into the National Collage Society 38th Annual Show
2021
Solo Show,”Botanical Voices”
Summit ArtSpace, Akron,Ohio
32 pieces July-September
National Collage Society Show-
Trustee’s Award
2020
Solo Show,” A Botanical Voice”
At Kendal at Oberlin Oct-Dec 2020
Kaleidoscope Show-Honorable mention
2019
Group Ten Gallery Annual Juried Show-Honorable Mention
CVAC Member’s Show _First Place Mixed Media
2018
Kaleidoscope- Honorable mention
Women’s Art League - Best in Show
2017
April: Regional Juried Exhibition
Group Ten Gallery Kent, OH
September: Autumn Show
Women’s Art League Third place
Kaleidoscope- Honorable mention
ART SOCIETY MEMBERSHIPS
Cuyahoga Valley Art Center
Morgan Conservatory of Paper
National Collage Society
International Society of Experimental Artists