Artwork copyright D. Maxwell Helppie. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright D. Maxwell Helppie. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2020.

Earth From Space - City, 1996

D. Maxwell Helppie
(American, born 1926, died 2012)

Location: Discovery Primary, Milton

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Artist Maxwell Helppie created the energetic abstract painting Earth From Space - City . It is a lively and detailed meditation on pattern, color, and light. The title hints that you can interpret the composition as if you are an astronaut or a bird. The artist described it as the view flying over the Puget Sound. He notes, “From the air, flying into Sea Tac Airport, the earth and sky are alive and vibrant – a visual feast… How beautiful our earth, a fragile miniscule entity in the grand panorama of space itself. A jewel in space!”

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Fife School District.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

The artworks of Dennis Maxwell Helppie (1926-2012) play freely between representation and abstraction. His art was influenced by the mysticism and culture of his Northern Finnish heritage. He noted: "To me, abstraction frees my creative abilities to continually explore new and different approaches to my work. It is very challenging and provides an avenue to stretch my imagination to its fullest."

Helppie grew up in the Detroit area. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps after high school from 1944 to 1947 and in the Army of Occupation in Germany. In 1951, he earned a Bachelors degree in art education with teaching credentials from Eastern Michigan University. In the 1950s, Helppie moved to Washington and taught arts and crafts at Lynnwood Junior High School and worked the afternoon shift at Boeing, where he was as an Inspector and Planner. In 1971, he earned a Master of Education degree in pyschology and counseling from the University of Washington in Seattle. He also taught business courses at Edmonds Community College for thirteen years. Helppie lived, worked, and made art in the Whidbey Island area for over thirty years.