Karen Helms - Artist of Sunny Xpressions

Interview with Karen Helms – Artist of Sunny Xpressions
By Deanna Jaxine Stinson, HPI Sensitive & Metaphysical Cleanser
Haunted and Paranormal Investigations – HPI International
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Hegelianism Paranormal Intelligence (International)
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Question: Tell us something about yourself. Your hobbies, your recreational activities, your family life, schools you went to. Your favorite movies, TV shows and books.

Answer: I’m the mother of three grown boys and as of two weeks ago, grandmother to my first grandson. I’ve been married to my best friend and soul mate for 8 years and live near Yosemite National Park. Earlier, I attended Joliet Junior College in Joliet, Illinois and the Academy of Art in San Francisco in hopes of becoming of a graphic designer.

However, I became the sole bread winner for myself and my children and discovered I had a knack for accounting. I attended American River College in Sacramento for most of my general education and then graduation with a B.S. in Business and Accounting from University of Phoenix. I currently work for one of the local counties performing accounting and finance functions.

To balance the left brain activities, I unwind doing something creative.

This includes needlepoint, painting, drawing, crocheting, playing piano, cooking, and using herbs to create medicinals and other self care products. I love nature and enjoy camping and hiking, or simply enjoying the sounds of nature and view from my front porch.

Books include historical fiction, stories about inspirational people, fantasy, and time travel. As far as movies and TV shows, I tend to be drawn towards science fiction, romantic comedy, or Hallmark Channel type shows. However, my husband rules the TV so we most often watch car shows or action… a perfect opportunity do something creative.

Question: You are an exceptional artist. How did you learn how to draw?

Answer: My drawing abilities come from my Dad. He was a professional photographer and graphic designer for many years, so he has an eye for composition. He taught me how to look at something and draw what I see, not what I know. For example, when looking at a tree, I know the trunk is relatively vertical and brown, and the top is relatively bushy and green, but if I draw what I know, the tree is not very interesting. When really looking at that trunk, many colors make up that brown color and many not so straight lines make up the shape of that trunk. The same goes for the bushy green top.

High school and college art and design classes added to the knowledge.

Question: What are some of your most memorable drawings?

Answer: In my color theory class I did three different versions of my youngest son using complimentary colors, monochromatic colors, and analogous colors. It was SO Andy Warhol! Another drawing that stands out was a Chalk-It-Up drawing of a giant rock that had my middle son’s face on a beach with a smiling moon. And recently, my night panther with the same smiling moon.

Question: What do you wish to gain with your artwork?

Answer: It is my hope that my artwork will bring joy and make people smile…. that it will make people feel something positive. Making a little money at it would be nice too. I would love to have a line of greeting cards and maybe do some illustrations.

Question: Where can people see your artwork?

Answer: I am sort of a late bloomer, so I have only had one showing of my artwork at the local public library. My art can be seen (and items purchased) at www.cafepress.com/sunnyxpressions [1].

Question: How can people contact you?

Answer: Email: [email protected] or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sunnyxpressions/131153180269861?fref=photo[2]

Question: What inspires you to do your artwork?

Answer: Emotions and nature and the two biggest inspirations for me.
Nature because its always interesting and emotions because sometimes I need to say something and I can say it best visually. Many of my recent drawings are an expression of the need for a positive environment when I felt I was surrounded by negativity.

Question: Does music help you to draw?

Answer: Yes and no. Sometimes I will play music, which certainly gets the creativity flowing, but most often I’m blocking the sounds around me and hear the music in my mind. This music is a part of every painting and drawing.

Question: Thank you for this wonderful interview. Now to some fun questions. If you had 6 dinner guests, 3 historical, 3 fictional, who would they be?

Answer: What a fun question! There are so many to chose from, so I will try to narrow it down. I think I would like to have Nelson Mandela, John Lennon, and Jesus… the Jesus as he was when he walked the earth, not the Jesus of the minds of religious people. Then I would like Claire Randall from the Outlander series, Yoda, and Gandolf.

Question: If you were stranded on a desert island, what 3 things would you bring with you to survive?

Answer: I would bring a knife, a desalinator for fresh water, and a pot. The knife for protection and to hunt and prepare food. The desalinator because the island may or may not have fresh water, and pot which can be used for cooking or holding liquids.

Question: Now to end this interview. Do you have any words of wisdom for your readers?

Answer: Find beauty where you can and have fun.

Here are a few of my favorites. I’ll get some watermarked images for your website. Thank you!

Karen Helms

Deanna Jaxine Stinson, HPI Esoteric Detective
aka Shooting Star Baby
Haunted and Paranormal Investigations (HPI International)
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