Artwork copyright D. Maxwell Helppie. Photo courtesy of the artist.
Two Ponds From Space, 1996
D. Maxwell Helppie
American (born 1926, died 2012)
Location: Washington State Arts Commission, Olympia
About the Artwork
Artist Maxwell Helppie created the painting Two Ponds From Space to remind us that nature needs to be celebrated and protected. It is part of body of paintings that depict landscape scenes as if viewed from space. This piece draws on his experience as a pilot stationed in Europe after World War II in the late 1940s. After seeing the damage caused by bombing and war, he started to notice that nature was beginning to heal those scars. He noted, "I realized how important our earth and nature was to all of us in our temporary stay here on the planet. Life was re-affirmed… I visualized the Astronauts looking downward at this precious, fragile planet and noticing the destruction of parts of our eco-system. But, there down below was the message of the vitality of our living planet. Two jeweled ponds, holding the secrets of life, the earth tones promising new birth to the buried seeds, and finally humans, in their wisdom, cultivating and protecting all life entrusted to them to nurture and provide."
This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Washington State Arts Commission.
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.
_edited.jpg)
Translate