Helen Wilson

My love of all things Botanical began at a young age, as I grew up in Southern California playing daily in my Grandmother’s lush garden. My art career began as a middle school student doodling on cereal boxes and gum wrappers. At the age of 16, I was introduced to the wonder of a Rapidograph technical pen. I spent hours drawing and found art to be a means of communication. Entering into the world of adulthood, I set my artistic interests aside for work and family life.

Jump ahead several decades, and in the 90s, my family and I moved to the edge of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. My childhood fascination with the natural world was rekindled, and I found myself needing to give voice to the botanical world around me. The beauty of the woods compelled me to return to my interest in art making.

I tried many different artistic approaches and finally discovered my voice in the mixed media collage process. After several years of experimenting, I devised my own unique process of 3-D paper collage. I use acrylic paints, mediums, inks, and metal leaf. I also use several techniques to create my many layered pieces. Including mono-printing, asemic writing, sgraffito, intricate cutting, and folding methods. During the
pandemic, I began to use my process to create free-standing 3D paper assemblages. I often incorporate cardboard from recycling bins along with items bought from junk stores. In the last few months, I have also begun using a process for creating items from cast paper.