cairnsart

HELEN CARR

Helen Carr was born in Adelaide S.A. in the early 60's but left at age 17 in search of the world.

I joined the Air Force and realized my love of flying truly did exist beyond my dreams. After a 3-year service, I continued traveling throughout Australia and found my way to Cairns in May 1985.

All throughout my travels, (my whole life actually) I had this desire to explore my creativity. I never believed I could even draw until I finally gave myself the opportunity by the age of 34.

Married with 2 young children, and working part time with my husband in our own business, I some how found the time to begin my journey. It started with a book, Betty Edward's "Drawing on the right side of the brain". Then, near tragedy struck when our youngest daughter nearly drowned in our pool.

As a form of therapy I did a series of paintings, which depicted pool drowning. These paintings were used by Tropical Public Health to Create a Bookmark. The bookmark and other promotional material were distributed to the public as part of the "Kids Alive do the 5" program in 1998. My story was published in the Cairns Post on Tuesday, June 9, of that year.

Since then, I have studied Visual Art at Tafe, Queensland Arts Council Art and Design and various other private classes throughout Cairns. I have been involved in several exhibitions throughout Cairns. I enjoy working in all mediums. For the past couple of years I focused on painting women's breasts and mermaids. Now at the age of 40, I still work part time in our business but I look forward to making the transition to working as a full time artist.

I was recently asked to do a painting for the Queensland Cancer Fund. I did 3 and two are up for public auction and one for raffle. All proceeds will go the Cancer fund. The auction for "The Gift" will finish at the Fund's Gala Ball on Saturday 18th May 2002. The auction for "Skywards" will finish on 23rd May at the Red Beret Hotel. The bidding will begin at the highest bid already received by email. Place your bid or donation by emailing me on Helen@austek.net.au

I'm looking forward to hearing from you

Helen Joy Carr

A GIFT was the first daffodil to emerge on the

canvas. The woman holding the flower was

originally naked. The breasts, as voluptuous

and quite possibly appropriate for the occasion,

were just too IN-YOUR-FACE! Maybe it was a

little too confronting for some (including my

husband).

Bidding will close at the Gala Ball at the Raddison Plaza Plaza on the 18th May 2002

View at Cancer Fund building - Cnr Aumuller and Scott streets, Cairns

SKYWARDS burst onto the second canvas. This was a simple exploration of texture, as quickly as I could. I love allowing my intuitive R-Brain to simply explore color and texture. Satisfied with the background, I get serious with the real thing. It's funny how, as I'm painting these daffodils, I remember the warmth and security that my grandmother gave me so many years ago.

By now, I was just getting the hang of painting Daffodils. I had to do one more to feel satisfied and so,

ORGANIC WONDERS was born.

Once again I allowed my intuitive R-Brain to explore.

I wish now, I had taken photos of the process.

This painting moved in extremes at least 4 times.

On several occasions I sat back and simply observed

what I could see in the chaos. Images popped out

before my very eyes, urging me to develop them further.

I couldn't resist the character with worms growing out

of his head. Is he one with the earth, nourishing the

roots of the Daffodils that sing out in a Turbulent sky?

Currently being raffled at shopping centres throughout Cairns for Daffodil day. View at Cancer Fund building - Cnr Aumuller and Scott streets, Cairns.