Header credits: Photographer Galina Coada designed by Rick Anthony Bonner of BONNER, LLC

We were lucky to catch up with Helen DeRamus recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Helen, thanks for joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

My interest is art started at an early age thanks to my family who taught me the value of art in my life. My aunt gave me books about artists at the time I was learning to read. She was in love with the art of Van Gogh and soon I was too. I was still in elementary school when I and my two sisters started lessons in drawing, sculpture, music and dance. My third grade teacher asked me to draw flowers on a mural and from that moment I was in awe of the act of creation. That sense of awe stayed with me throughout my life though I didn’t find a direct route to working as a full time painter until after my experiences as a full time teacher, designer, and photographer. All the work I did in each field contributed to the work that I now experience in my studio every day creating paintings.

Helen, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

At Emory University I studied art history and thought at the time that I would teach. But after graduation I gravitated to studio art through a program in New Jersey, where I was living. Painting and photography became my pursuits for the last forty years and counting.

I create oil paintings on wood and canvas and work on paper. The paintings are generally large scale, the drawings both large and small. The work is abstract with a focus on my memories of the landscapes where I have lived and visited.

My work is sold through galleries in Atlanta, Georgia, the metro Atlanta area, Alabama, and Michigan. Commission work is also part of my practice and I enjoy working with clients to create their vision as we see it together. I am lucky to have had exhibits in Museums, galleries, businesses and academic settings. Having my work in permanent collections is especially satisfying. In my studio I mentor artists when time permits and love watching the progress and success of artists as they begin to gain momentum in a very difficult field.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

As an artist, I am always aware of the opportunity of connecting with the people who understand the my process and my finished work. Being in the studio and having the opportunity of working everyday is rewarding. But what is more important is having the ability to share my view of the world with an audience. Sharing my love of art and my experience with others and particularly with the artists I mentor, is especially satisfying. Over the years I have had the opportunity to mentor all ages and artists at all stages of their development. Their presence is very inspiring to me as well.

How did you build your audience on social media?

The best advice I give to artists beginning to do creative work is make your presence known. That means posting every day on a platform and if possible many platforms. Each one serves a different purpose and finding how you fit is only accomplished by working at it. There is so many ways to use these resources and it is for the most part free, which is significant when you are starting out on this tough road. Be aware of your audience but make sure you stay true to yourself realizing that it is the work you do that is of paramount importance.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.helenderamus.com
• Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/helen-deramus
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/helen.deramus
• Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/helenderamus
• Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/helenderamus
• Other: http://www.artworkarchive.com/profile/helen-deramus

Image Credits
Helen DeRamus, David Clifton-Strawn