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

Greetings to Earth, 1997

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

Location: Child Study and Treatment Center, Tacoma

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Late artist D. Maxwell Helppie created the abstract painting Greetings to Earth as part of series that depict landscape scenes as if viewed from space. He noted, "The movement of the earth's surface is a continual ever changing pattern of water, cloud formations, tilled earth, production from factories, moving traffic, tidal activity, ocean currents, and the earth's crust moving. This planet of ours pulsates with vigorous action; it is wildly alive in all of its parts. Trees, grasses, plants, insects, animals, fish, birds and humans contribute to the astounding movement. Not to mention seasonal changes, volcanic activities, construction and destruction from nature and human forces, which is always an ongoing process."

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Department of Social and Health Services.

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.