Helen Utsal
Helen Utsal
Active Member
Preferred Medium:
acrylic, oil and cold wax medium on canvas
Artist Bio:
Helen Utsal is a Canadian landscape painter whose paintings of the forest radiate with light, making them feel like a window. Trees rise out of the earth and stretch into the sky in Helens large scale paintings.
Years working as a scenic painter in the film business contributed to her love of painting large scale pictures that allow the viewer to get a true sense of the forest and space to enter the picture. Helen’s desire is to reflect Nature’s moods onto canvas, bringing an impression of Nature indoors.
Helen Utsal is represented at Art Junction Gallery, PI Fine Art, Arta Gallery. Salish Sea Market, Noodle Gallery, and ADC Fine Art
Artist Statement:
‘I am drawn to quiet places and old trees. I feel like they are silent witnesses to our speedy human comings and goings, and will remain long after we have gone. I find Nature to be my sanctuary, my space for meditation and renewal, my playground and an endless source of discovery and inspiration.’
The Japanese term 'Shinrin yoku' translates as Green Bathing, and is known to be powerful medicine for healing stress and anxiety.
The restorative benefits of looking at, and being near trees, are truly amazing; decreasing our stress levels, heart rate, muscle tension, and blood pressure.
‘I love the idea of bringing this sense of restorative balance into peoples homes with my art.’
PROCESS; Using mostly traditional materials and techniques Helen incorporates drawing with oil painting, enjoying the contrast of fat waxy textures of oil paint mixed with cold wax medium and delicate marks of charcoal and chalk.
'I use different techniques to relay different aspects of expression.
I often start with fluid acrylics and work in a loose watercoloury way to convey Natures easy exuberance and vitality. The second process is working in oil paint and cold wax medium with palette knives and brushes, building up some areas to draw the viewers focus. Drawing with charcoal or chalk into the painting adds detail, and definition.’
