Helen Kwiatkowski
Job Title:
Professor of Art
Phone:
(254) 295-4676
Email Address:
hkwiatkowski@umhb.edu
Subjects Taught:
Drawing I, 2-D Design, Collage, Senior Studio
Degrees Earned:
BA Fine Arts, MFA
Profile Bio:
Originally from Newark, New Jersey, Helen received a BA in Fine Arts from Upsala College in 1976. Following college, she moved to San Francisco, spent time in Europe, and eventually found her way to Texas and Graduate School at East Texas State University (now A&M at Commerce). In 1986 she received an MFA in Painting and Mixed Media. Following graduate school, she taught in the Art Department at Palomar College in San Marcos California and worked as freelance artist in and around San Diego. In 1989 she moved back to Texas and has been teaching art at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor since 1992.
Artist Statement:
The Little Helen Series
In 1998 I began working on a series called The Little Helens. The first painting in this series is called “I Build A Lighted House” (picture above). This painting was done using a photograph of myself at the age of 5. Over time, this series has become a fusion of fact and fiction, yet always filtered through my own history and life experiences.
I am currently working on book based on the Little Helen character.
The Mary Series
For many centuries, the image of Mary has been a source of inspiration and consolation. She is associated with hope, solace, and life affirming and nurturing qualities. She reminds us to seek peace, to love the world and love each other. This is also an ongoing series.
The Roxie Series
For the past nine years I have shared a loving and co- dependent relationship with my red/blue heeler Roxie. It was only a matter of time before one painting of her turned into a series of paintings.
