Artist: HELEN GOHLKE

Medium: Mixed media

Unframed Canvas Size: 18″x 18″

Helen, was born  in  Kenosha, Wisconsin.  Her  appreciation  for nature  started  at  a  young  age  and  has always influenced her art.  When  she was five  years  old she told her. She learned carpentry  skills and  welding  from her Father and  outside  courses using these  skills  to  build  driftwood  sculptures,  framework  for stained glass  creations  and  household  items such  as  bookcases, tables  and  chairs.   Helen pursued  more  practical  career  choices  but  was always drawn  back to  art  and nature. After  moving  to  the  city  of  Chania on  the  island  of Crete, Greece  she  explored  oil  painting, worked with textiles, visited  many  of  the  museums  and  ancient ruins  throughout  Greece.   After arriving  in Trinidad  and  Tobago, Helen’s art  changed once  again. The  rich  natural  environment  of the rainforest,  seashore,  flora and  fauna  brought  her  back  to  her  childhood  dream  of being  an Artist  and she began  creating  art  with  the  same  passion  of  her  youth.  The  rich  colors used by  the  local artists  also influenced her, she  became  more  willing  to  experiment  with different  techniques. Now,  she  creates art  freely  on  a  wide range  of  subjects  trying to  incorporate  a  natural and  loose element  to  all of  her pieces.  Most  of her  work is  mixed  media  collage. She  finds  this  medium  suits  her personality  best.  In  all, Helen tries  to  create  pieces  that  express  what she  experiences  and  feels  in  daily life. However,  most  importantly  is  that she  tries to  live  her life  as it  is also  an  ongoing  work  of art.