Helen loves exploring colour and works predominantly with inks and watercolours.
Helen Treuel is an Artist living on Victorias Surf Coast in Torquay. She is an Artist in Residence at The Light Box Torquay. She has been sharing her work with us at Print Décor for the past 8 years.
Helen’s current collection is called’ Follow the Sun’.
Helen’s art making process is lengthy. For each new collection, she commences with doing a series of studies, playing around with colour, line and texture. She usually creates these on large sheets of watercolour paper, divided into four or six sections with masking tape. Helen works across all sections concurrently and once completed, remove the tape to reveal small individual pieces that 'play' together. They generally then form the basis for the new collection as she references them for overall design when creating her large pieces of work on stretched canvas.
This current collection is created by using mixed media, incorporation large sections of collage, and requires many hours of design and layering to create each finished piece. Each piece, from start to finish takes approximately 100 hours as each layer requires preparation of the surface and application of the design using a layering process. Each piece requires layers of high quality, high gloss varnish which need lengthy drying times in between each coat. Each piece is a labour of absolute joy and love and it is Helen’s hope that the finished pieces in the collection bring some joy, positivity and restorative energy, especially during these challenging times.
Drawn from her affinity to the ocean from where she creates her work Helen takes you into a world of aquatic sublimeness. Helen loves exploring colour and works predominantly with inks and watercolours. Proximity to the sea has significantly influenced the pieces she creates and the way in which she creates them. This is evident in the fluidity of her designs. She never quite knows how a piece will turn out when she first begins, tending to let the artwork lead the way... merging colours and shapes as they reveal themselves in the process. Helen draws inspiration from music, the environment and other artists. Glass sculptor Dale Chihuly has become a favourite. Helen often draws on his stunning use of colour for inspiration for her own pieces.
Helen's latest released work is shown below. You can see them now in our gallery in Malvern Vic.
