About Helen Dannelly

Artist and Instructor based in Chicago, Illinois

Raised in California, I have been making art since as long as I can remember. You can find me curating Chicago's Forshey Gallery and co-developing Catalyst Art Lab - an online artist membership and workshop platform. In addition to maintaining a thriving studio art practice, I teach sold-out workshops nationally and internationally, and am preparing to be an official TEDx speaker on the topic of following your creative intuition.

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Behind the Work

The sculptures and paintings I create are in response to the world within and around me. I am interested in metamorphosis as a natural phenomenon as well as an interpersonal phenomenon. This interest is reflected in my work, whether in my paintings or abstract organic sculpture. My work is inspired by the natural world: plant life, sea life, pods, seeds, cocoons, coral, sea anemones. The three dimensional work resembles objects in nature, but they are unique abstractions.

Lately, I am re-exploring my roots of photorealistic painting. I see my colorful ink paintings - many of which look like water - as reflecting the colorful diversity of our community which adds beauty, depth and richness to life.