James Helms
The West, 2018
Watercolor, India Ink
9x 6 "
James Helms (b. 1973, US) I love that water has a mind of its own. My process embraces the unpredictable interactions of water-bound pigments, flowing through some, pushing others aside....
James Helms (b. 1973, US)
I love that water has a mind of its own. My process embraces the unpredictable interactions of water-bound pigments, flowing through some, pushing others aside. Compositions evolve as they dry. Contours, blooms and transparency are all unpredictable. I use calligraphic inking to discover and celebrate those surprises – lending new definition and dimension.
My work is an exploration of the abstract and representational. Air and mass. Negative and positive. Stillness and motion. My goal is to draw the audience in with composition, then surprise them with unexpected detail. I’m inspired by the textures and imperfections of nature and biology. I love the ability of a line to jump from defining an object to defining the space between objects – and back again.
I love that water has a mind of its own. My process embraces the unpredictable interactions of water-bound pigments, flowing through some, pushing others aside. Compositions evolve as they dry. Contours, blooms and transparency are all unpredictable. I use calligraphic inking to discover and celebrate those surprises – lending new definition and dimension.
My work is an exploration of the abstract and representational. Air and mass. Negative and positive. Stillness and motion. My goal is to draw the audience in with composition, then surprise them with unexpected detail. I’m inspired by the textures and imperfections of nature and biology. I love the ability of a line to jump from defining an object to defining the space between objects – and back again.