Artwork copyright D. Maxwell Helppie. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2016.

Spring Fruit, 1992

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

Location: Representative Lillian Ortiz-Self's Office, Olympia

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Spring Fruit is energetic and colorful painting by late artist D. Maxwell Helppie. His experience of the nature outside his studio inspired this piece. He stated, "Often, I stand outside my studio and listen to the wind as it blows through the bushes, fir and alder trees. To me, there is a musical quality to the sound. There are all kinds of wood birds that almost continually make their particular brand of music. Then there are the frogs, bees, hornets, flies and insects that make their special contribution to the feeling of boundless energy. It often seems like the whole earth is pulsating with a life energy."

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Clover Park 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.