helen sullivan

My Bio

I'm a retired federal employee.  Although I've always doodled (especially during boring meetings) I didn't take classes until about 8 years ago, when one of my friends talked two of us into taking a watercolor class at the local community college.  I had such a good time that I took another, and another, and another.  The teacher invited me to intern with him, which I did for almost 5 years.  My internship ended in July 2009, when my husband and I started to work in earnest on our retirement and move to North Carolina.  Now, we make North Carolina our home.

I am inspired by the beauty of the forest around our western North Carolina house.  It is the subject of several of my paintings.  Although I best enjoy working in acrylics, I also paint in watercolor and in waterbased oils.  I have done a few clay sculptures and some wood carving.  I love it all.  I definitely still consider myself an art student, because I have so much more to learn.

My avatar is a paper collage self portrait.

Announcements

  • 25 Jul 2010
  • Art Exhibit

    Sixteen of my paintings are currently on exhibit at the McDowell Rehabilitation Center.  This show runs through October.

  • 7 Apr 2010
  • Still Point II

    Two of my paintings are in this on line show.  It runs from April 7 through June 8, 2010.  Check it out at www.stillpointgallery.com.

  • 23 Jan 2010
  • gallery show

    My oil painting class is have a show the month of March 2010 at the Mc Dowell Arts Council Association in Marion North Carolina.  Everyone is welcome.

  • 8 Nov 2009
  • More work available

    My husband and I are in the process of developing a website (www.bigbearartisans.com) where will we show my art, as well as several other product lines, including custom framing at very reasonable prices, floral arrangements, palm wax candles, and custom wood working and cabinets.