HELEN HONER

ARTIST’S STATEMENT

Art has always played a vital role in my life. I am fascinated with unusual plant and animal images as well as some abstract and architectural forms. Often I use only a small section of an image, which creates a more interesting composition while revealing abstract shapes. Our bright California light with its rich shadows inspires me to explore the effects of bold color and dramatic contrast.. Humor and playfulness are also important considerations in my approach to art.

I paint mainly in watercolor but also occasionally in mixed media and oils. I enjoy watercolors for their unique effects: the clean, bright colors, jewel-like transparency, the unpredictable watery textures, glazing and textured paper. Sometimes I add colored pencil, crayon or acrylic paint to a watercolor which can give it added dimension and 'attitude.' Painting in oils is a totally different experience. The buttery and substantial texture of opaque oil paints, the brushwork, the canvas; the entire approach can be a refreshing change.

I truly enjoy creating art. My goal as an artist is simply to show that beauty can be discovered in both familiar and unusual places, to express my delight in these images, and to share this pleasure with others.

BRIEF BIOGRAPHY

Helen Honer is a native of southern California. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California at Berkeley, and attended art/design school in San Francisco. Helen is a signature member of the National Watercolor Society, and a juried member of Watercolor West (a transparent watercolor society). She enters numerous competitions and has won several awards for her artwork. Helen lives in Orange County with her husband and two teenage sons. She owns a freelance art business, Helen’s Studio.

RECENT EXHIBITIONS/AWARDS

Cactus Gallery and Gifts, "Dog is Love: 2" 2007, exhibition of dog-themed artwork, Eagle Rock. www.eclecticcactus.com

Huntington Beach Art League Annual Juried Exhibition 2007, Huntington Beach.

Copperwood Artware Gallery, "No Woman Stands Alone" 2007, paintings on continued revolving display, Orange.

Irvine Fine Arts Center, 2-person lobby show with artist Chet Brisco, 2006, Irvine.

Copperwppd Artware Gallery, "No Woman Stands Alone" 2006, Orange.

Huntington Beach Art Center, "Centered on the Center" 2006 annual exhbition, Huntington Beach.

Orange County Fair 2005 Juried Art Competition, Honorable Mention award- Professional Painting. Costa Mesa.

Huntington Beach Art Center, "Centered on the Center" 2005 annual exhbition, Huntington Beach.

Cornfield Gallery (an online art gallery), featured artist, ongoing, since 2004. www.cornfieldgallery.com

Brand Library and Art Center "Works on Paper 33", 2004- early 2005. Glendale.

Watercolor West 36th Annual Juried Exhibition, Canson inc. award, 2004. Brea.

Orange County Fair 2004 Juried Art Competition, 3rd place & Honorable Mention awards- Professional Painting. Costa Mesa.

Muckenthaler Cultural Center, 2nd Biennial Orange County Juried Exhibition, 2004. Fullerton.

City of Brea Gallery, “Made in California” Juried Exhibition, 2004. Brea.

Solo Exhibition at Bistro 561, Nov. 2003- Feb. 2004. Pasadena.

Watercolor West 35th Annual Juried Exhibition, 2003. Riverside.

2003 California State Fair, County Fair Best of Show Competition, 5th Place Award of Distinction. Sacramento.

Orange County Fair 2003 Juried Art Competition, 3rd place award- Professional Painting. Costa Mesa.

Huntington Beach Art League Open Exhibition 2003, 3rd place award. Huntington Beach.

City of Brea Gallery, “Made in California”, 2003, Honorable Mention award. Brea.

AFFILIATIONS

Juried Member of Watercolor West, 2003.

Signature Member of National Watercolor Society, since 1984.

EDUCATION

Studied with Don Hendricks, Fullerton College; Chris Gwaltney, Coastline Community College.

One-year Design Program, Schaeffer School of Design, San Francisco, CA. Intensive instruction in color theory, graphics and drafting. 1979-80.

Bachelor of Arts Degree, University of California, Berkeley. Major: Studio Art with emphasis on drawing and painting. l979.

BUSINESS/EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCE

Owner, HELEN’S STUDIO, a freelance art business offering paintings in watercolor and mixed media.

Art instructor, Fullerton School District’s “All the Arts for All the Kids” program, l996-99.

Owner, ARTALIVE, a freelance art business, 1982-1994. Work included design and production of invitations, custom greeting cards, calligraphy, calendars, illustration, murals, fine drawing and watercolors.

Copyright � by Helen Honer 2004. All rights reserved.