HELEN SIKSEK - FISH POINT STUDIO (mixed media)

Gore Bay, ON

Helen Siksek was born an artist and has been nurturing her creative spirit since the age of three. An expressive, intuitive abstract painter, she paints unique original compositions through mark-making and experimentation. Helen prefers to paint outdoors, always close to the land and water. The best way to explore Manitoulin Island, La Cloche, Killarney Provincial Park and Lake Superior north shore is with fellow artists who share the same passion for painting in nature. Helen currently lives in Kagawong and is an avid plein air painter. She is inspired by the energy of the Northern Ontario landscape which to her includes vibrational invisible elements, wind, sunlight and energy from living beings, such as trees. She observes and paints with all her senses.

Helen usually begins a painting outdoors by the lake, and tries to stay true to the on-site observational experience for as long as she can, but when the bugs start to swarm, she and the painting run for cover. The rest of the composition is then developed and finalized in the comfort of her studio. Realism always influences the first pass of a painting, but her work rarely develops in a representational or traditional manner.

Paying attention to subtle energy and vibration is this artist’s idea of fun when she creates abstract compositions. Especially when organic, abstract mark-making is given free-reign. Painting with abandon can be a tremendously gratifying energetic process. ‘…The final style and ‘look’ of the paintings always comes as a surprise to me.’ says Helen. Yet the shapes and colours emulate the real rocks, pebbles, shallow waters and sunlit reflections that inspire the beginning of a painting. Using this unique technique that she developed after years of living on Manitoulin Island, reality and creativity become co-designers of the final product.

Helen has served several arts organizations on the island including former leadership positions in the MFAA, 4elements Living Arts, La Cloche Annual Art Show, and the NOAA. She and her colleagues established the Manitoulin Plein Air Festival and the Manitoulin Island Artists Collective. Serving the arts on the island is what gives Helen motivation and purpose. She is involved in other art endeavours including the Studio 6 Gift Shop in Gore Bay and local summer markets. She organizes summer art festivals with her friends and tries to fit in one or two art road trips a year. After a busy summer season on Manitoulin, Helen does her best to spend the winter months hibernating!

To read more about Helen’s latest collection of paintings, you are invited to follow her journey on her social media accounts:

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