Helena Martin is an Art of Austin artist! Check out her work! Check out her work and learn more about her in her interview!
Helena Martin
AoA – How long have you been in Austin and how did you find your way here?
Helena – I’ve been in Austin since 2013, when I quit my job and moved across the country to be my own boss!
AoA – When did you realize that you were an artist?
Helena – I’ve been drawing and painting since i was a wee child.
AoA – Can you speak to your art training?
Helena – My mom put me in a weekly after school art class from age 7-14 that really helped me develop some technical skills. I always liked nature and I was afraid of becoming a “starving”artist, so after high school I got a Biology degree. Turning away from art made me so depressed tho! I decided then to get an MS in medical illustration, which still seemed like the “safest” artistic career option. Looking back, I’m proud of myself that tried to find a way to follow my passion for art and grateful for the job I subsequently got at a prestigious animation studio. But still, I felt very unfulfilled. This frustration drew me to rabidly pursue graffiti which showed me how to paint large outdoor work quickly, essential skills I use today as a full time mural artist.
AoA – Where do you find inspiration?
Helena – Nature, God and relationships with other people.
AoA – What is your work concerned with?
Helena – My goal is to invoke an emotional response in the viewer. A lot of times those are the same feelings I’m going through personally.
AoA – What are your preferred medium(s)?
Helena – Rollers and spray paint.
AoA – Can you talk a little about your creative processes?
Helena – I work like a contractor
AoA – Do you have any feelings towards Digital Art versus traditional mediums?
Helena – Whatever floats your boat.
AoA – Who are some artists that you look to?
Helena – Charles and Janine Williams (PHAT and LADY DIVA), Pichiavo, Salvador Dali, Pandr Design Co, Smug ONE, JAS 7, Daft Punk, Kanye West, Bjork.
AoA – If you could own 1 piece from a living artist, who would it be?
Helena – Tara Johnston
AoA – Big question. What do you feel the role of art is in the world?
Helena – To express ourselves while making the world more beautiful
AoA – What else do you enjoy besides making art?
Helena – I’m very much into spirituality and learn a lot from Divine Truth. Nature is the best and I love to go on walks. And by far one of my favorite treats are honest, deep conversations.
AoA – We almost hate to ask because that’s all we hear about these days, but how have you had to adapt as an artist to the current Covid-19 pandemic? Where can we currently find your work?
Helena – I have a lot of unpleasant feelings inside of me that I usually distract myself from with various activities. Covid-19 has really helped me face these feelings because I don’t have those distractions! I can’t get glory from painting murals, visit friends, grab lunch or coffee…the list goes on. Mostly its shown me that I’m not in control of my life.
AoA – Helena, tell us, youve gotten so large with your murals – how does that feel / translate into your artistic vision?
Helena – I think part of it is glory, another is knowing that larger walls can have a huge visual impact and also I like the challenge of crushing a 60 ft high wall-something I had never done before. That wall scared me!
AoA – What advice would you give all the artists reading out there?
Helena – Draw/paint/create what interests you, not what you think will gain recognition.
AoA – We’ve heard that you recently creating a non-profit with Jennifer Briner called Mural Project? Can you tell us anything about that just yet?
Helena – Mural Project is a non-profit organization that empowers youth by leading them in the creation of large scale murals in the spaces they most frequent. Our seasoned facilitators guide K-12 students through the painting of a mural at their school, community center or other event space. Through our step-by-step workshops, kids gain technical painting skills while also raising their self-esteem by being part of a collaborative creative process. As opposed to a traditional art project that may only be seen by a few people, kids in our workshops get to view their murals on a regular basis, instilling a repeated sense of pride and self-worth.
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