Monday, April 7, 2014

Our World Our Art


Welcome to Natures Walk Studio! I'm so pleased to participate in Our World, Our Art, a blog event that celebrates CREATIVE PASSION hosted by Lisa at AWhimsicalBohemian.

My name is Helen and I am a mixed media artist and nature photographer from the Pacific NorthwestThe goal of my work is to convey the beauty found in the natural world and the human spirit, using uncomplicated topics and interesting textures. With so much of today’s world creating stress, it’s a small contribution to promote peace and restfulness.
I adore anything nature related. I have a special affinity for hearts and love finding them in nature...and I have a knack for seeing them in the most interesting places.
There are so many things in our natural world to admire... birds and butterflies, flowers and trees, forest critters! It's delightful to see as we walk the trails and also from the many visitors in our backyard wildlife habitat. The birds that come to our feeders keep us entertained daily.
Hummingbird at lavender
Besides photographing everything in sight, I do a variety of types mixed media art. I love to create textured abstract landscapes using a variety of materials,... paints, fibers, buttons, lace. 
Autumn Mountain 8x8 
Field of Buttercups 8 x 8 
I also create tiny 3 x 3 inspirational word art canvases... they make me happy! 


One of my current favorite techniques involves gesso and watercolor, which I learned in a class by Carla Sonheim. Carla is a fabulous instructor, by the way, and I recommend her online courses. I've been blessed to have the opportunity to take classes from her in person as well.  Here's a couple of the gesso and watercolor pieces I've created recently:
Abstract Orange Flowers 8x10
Abstract Poppies 4x5 
I am a member of Allied Arts of Whatcom County and participate in member shows and their annual 6 week Holiday Festival. My work is currently on display at Guiseppe's Restaurant on the Bellingham waterfront.  My art is available online at NaturesWalkStudio.etsy.com and Fine Art America. Besides my blog, you can keep up with what I'm doing at Facebook at NaturesWalkStudio

As part of OWOA, I'm hosting a giveaway! Yay for giveaways! 
You have a change to win a set of Flower Garden Greeting cards with images from my gesso and watercolor paintings! You'll receive two of each design. 
The giveaway is open to ALL ACTIVE bloggers worldwide.  Please leave a comment with a way for me to contact you should you win. 
I will announce the winner at 5:00 pm Pacific Time on April 18th here on my blog, on Facebook and by email. You will have 3 days to respond with mailing address. 

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit!  I'll be by to visit you as well! 


18 comments:

Netty said...

wow, what can I say Helen apart from, love your photographs, your fab mixed media collages and your beautiful painting........thank you so much for sharing, Annette x

http://nettysartadventures.blogspot.co.uk/

Marie said...

very lovely cards~ nice to find you,
Marie @
In Our Happy Place

bockel24 said...

Love your work, Helen, especially the textured landscapes - and you´ve made me envious by telling us about your class with Carla whom I admire ... So nice to meet you here at OWOA, thanks for the opportunity to win!

Mia J. said...

Your cards are beautiful. I would be thrilled to win them. You do such wonderful work. I especially like the inspirational words art pieces.

mia at jacobsracing dot com

Sherry said...

Gorgeous photography Helen - look at all those natural hearts you found! I love your mixed media pieces too - and of course your gesso and watercolour ... don't think I've tried that technique myself (yet!)
Thanks for already coming to see my OWOA post and your lovely comment :)

Sherry
My OWOA post is here.

GlorV1 said...

Hi Helen. Great intro to your passions in life. Thanks for sharing.

Mickey said...

I love your work Helen. I am learning a lot about mixed media through this event, and it's encouraging me to give it a try. Every time I paint something I always want to add a little something more in the form or buttons or fabric or something, and I really think I will give it a try next time I pull out the paints. And I love your ability to find hearts in nature. I am going to keep my eyes open now when I am out and about and see what fun shapes I come across.

Michelle
http://dashausdermaus.blogspot.com
mouse1996(at)gmail(dot)com

Janice said...

I love the cards from your art. Please enter me in your giveaway.
caston2@shaw.ca

Michaele Sommerville said...

Hello Helen!

After what has felt like a never-ending winter, your cards remind me that spring and summer are most definitely on their way! This winter, I found a snowy heart on one of my patio chairs: it was wonderful to find!

I do hope you'll visit me at Twigs and Tulle over the next few weeks!

Michaele
michaelek1(at)yahoo(dot)com

Michaele Sommerville said...

Hello Helen!

After what has felt like a never-ending winter, your cards remind me that spring and summer are most definitely on their way! This winter, I found a snowy heart on one of my patio chairs: it was wonderful to find!

I do hope you'll visit me at Twigs and Tulle over the next few weeks!

Michaele
michaelek1(at)yahoo(dot)com

Titbelsoeur, mixed-media addict said...

I have learned how to paint with watercolors, but never mixed with gesso, I am curious to see how it mixes ! I would love to win your giveaway !
thanks for visiting me at my blog...
greetings from France !

Lisa Oceandreamer Swifka said...

Thank you Helen for participating in OWOA. You so have the right idea about creating less stress and more calm(and you live in a place that brings your nature love to own your "backyard".
I am one who loves hearts as well and truly I need to take your lead to find them in unexpected ways.
Your art is terrific and the colors and textures you use sing to me.
I can see your creative passion encompasses perfectly your love of nature!
XO
Lisa

Sabine said...

Wonderful mixed media art with the buttons and lace! Your flower cards are also great and I would be proud to win.
Sabine

SLScheibe said...

A very nice post and great to see all of your lovely art together like that. It's obvious you love nature and it so shows in your pretty art.

trisha too said...

Lots of lovely pieces, Helen--your mixed media collages have some marvelous textures.

Happy OWOA to you!
:)trisha
with a tiny journal

Shai Williams said...

What a talented lady! I just love your pics and your paintings. And would love to give your cards a good home.

blogbaby(at)comcast(dot)net
http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com/

Singtatter said...

Love your abstract paintings, l love flowers especially, but I can't draw or paint well.

munfoong5 ( at ) yahoo ( dot )

Claire said...

All your work is just beautiful! I'd love to enter the giveaway - I have a Contact Form on my blog should I win - the email link on my Blogger profile never seems to work...
I'm still having Giveaways on my blog too :)

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