Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Helene Steene. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Helene, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?
Always loved to draw and paint but I had several regular jobs while living in Sweden before becoming a full time artist. However, being both shy and unsure whether I could make a living as artist when young, I knew I had to get over being shy somehow. So took myself way outside my comfort zone and became a tourist guide in Spain. Later worked in sales in the travel business in Stockholm, Sweden. Had a great time with both and overcame the shyness….. At age of 26 met an American in Sweden, moved to Washington DC, but did not have a work permit right away, so my husband encouraged me to go back and study whatever I liked.
Went to George Washington University, took a printmaking class and was hooked, and from then on I have been in the art world both as an artist and gallery manager. Learned the different sides of the art world, which has served me well. Now I am 100% an artist, and it gives me great joy and peace of mind, and the studio is my favorite place to be when not traveling.
What I learned – had I gone to an art school right after high school, I think I would have failed. So having other life experiences, travel, and becoming self assured, made it so much easier to fully immerse myself in the creative process when I was more mature.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
This short bio describes some of my whys and what…
Helene Steene’s work is well recognized for its many layered depth, intensity of colors, and elegance of surface. She combines classical oil glaze techniques, using natural minerals, over marble dust, with contemporary brushed metal on wood, as well as oil glazes and marble dust over collaged paper.
Her work has been published, exhibited, and collected in both private and public collections in the United States, France, Greece, Spain, Great Britain and Sweden, and she has won numerous awards for her work. The latest being, CODAworx Collaboration of Design + Art in Public Spaces 2022 in the Education Category with a 55 foot tall LED light installation of University of Kentucky, “Moon Sentinel”.
Her mixed media works were shown in three solo museum exhibits: in 2010 at the stunning Taubman Museum of Art in Roanoke, VA, and in 2013 and 2021 at the Headley-Whitney Museum in Lexington, KY. Recent large scale commissions were, in 2019 “Ancient Healer II”, 12 x 4,5 feet, mixed media, at a Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, in 2016 “Ancient Healer”, 46 x 270” mixed media, at University of Kentucky Hospital, the private dining/conference room, in 2015 “Ginkgo”, 102 x 108“, a mixed media work in the beautiful events facilities Apiary in Lexington; and in 2010, “Shimmer at the Edge”, mixed media, 108 x 78” at the Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky Hospital in Lexington, and in 2017 Gatton School of Business at University of Kentucky added “Archilochus’ View, 48 x 74 inches, mixed media, to their collection, and in 2023 Commerce Lexington added four pieces to theirs, Paros Blues Fresco, 48 x 42” among them. For complete list of public work, please visit her website.
She received part of her art education from George Washington University in Washington DC, and in 2004 a Master of Fine Arts from University of Kentucky.
Helene Steene has a studio at the Lexington Art League, in the Loudon House, where her paintings are created with textures and numerous layers of information built up through additions and subtractions over a long period of time. She uses natural minerals in dry powder form in oil glazes, as well as acrylic, charcoal, sand, marble dust and metal on wood panels. Using wood panels allows for both small and largescale pieces.
Many of her works are inspired by the soft white walls, and weathered wood works she encounters on the Greek island of Paros, as well as the local fauna and the ever-changing sea. The sense of layered history from antiquity to more recent times is very present on this island, famous for its white translucent marble, which inspired Steene to experiment with marble dust to create a sense of contemporary fresco surfaces. Many other of her paintings include Ginkgo leaves as they represent nature from ancient to present times as well as the concept of healing. She also has been working on a series of circular forms, representing a sense of centeredness which always has been important to her.
“Steene’s luminous layers of colors and intuitively balanced structure are reminiscent of
Rothko’s luminous paintings. Her visual subtleties slow down the viewing process and
contribute to an overall sense of harmony and inner peace, one that serves as an
antidote to today’s fast-paced, chaotic world.”
Jane S. Peters, Professor Emerita, Art History & Visual Studies,
University of Kentucky, USA
“Call Steene’s paintings the fusion of geometry and grace, which probes and pierces
or let us say we gaze out from the eye of light itself.”
Peter Abbs, Emeritus Professor of Creative Writing,
University of Sussex, Great Britain
“Whether my work is abstract, non-objective or figurative, there is always a search for something that signifies a subtle inner beauty, depth and simplicity even when the forms are complex. I am intrigued by the tension between, forms, lines and colors that ultimately can resolve in harmony. Sometimes, this is achieved with more obvious forms, and sometimes, with a delicate balance attempting to give substance to the space that exists precisely because there are no objects.
If my work can slow someone down to contemplate something within her or himself – if it can add a moment of focus on their inner peace in this absurd world – then I have reached the viewer. We, the viewer and the mark maker, would be connected through that ephemeral magic that is all around, as I am convinced that one’s range of intellect is so trivial in the face of greater mysteries.”
In 2021 her first book, “AEGEAN ECHOES’ was published. A visual visit to Paros in photos and through the paintings inspired by this special place.
For additional information about the artist, other works, awards, publications, public art, prints and more, please visit her website at www.helenesteene.com, Helene.Steene on Instagram, Helene Steene on Facebook, or contact the artist directly at [email protected]
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
Having had several jobs before becoming a full time artist – some jobs rewarding, and some not, has made me realize how very important and satisfying it is to do what I truly love.
It is not always easy to make a living as an artist, so many have to find another job as well. But even though there were times when I worried financially, I stuck with it, and am now doing well. But more than anything, I do what I love to do, and I surround myself with like minded people.
I once had a wonderful teacher when I started out, and a some 10 years back I realized he never knew I became and artist, so looked him up as I wanted to thank him. He was in Paris, France and at 85 painting his best work ever, which I found very inspiring, but also humbling as he gave up his career earlier to be an inspiring teacher for many, but loved that as well.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
The first aha was in art school when a teacher ask us what the door knob to the building looked like…..and none of us could say!
It told me to look around me, to pay attention to both small and large things. To look up to the higher floors of buildings for interesting details. To slow down. To be aware of lines, and where they intersect in life.
To stay away from toxic thoughts/people. To give people the benefit of the doubt. To smile to strangers, talk to older people in the store (sometimes I am the only one that day….), spend time in nature, work in the garden, look very closely at the magnificent forms in nature, to stare at the sea, spend time with friends.
The more recent aha was when I had a 7 foot tall painting be installed as a 55 foot tall LED light installation, and I realized I did not have to do it all by myself. There are wonderful fabricators out there that can transfer my ideas and paintings to huge installations, which is quite remarkable. So for the first time, I am cooperating with others in the creative process now and then, which is key if you want to do public art.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.helenesteene.com
- Instagram: helene.steene
- Facebook: Helene Steene
- Youtube: Helene Steene / Rachana Rahman