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Artist Interview – Helen Violet Canadian artist, Helen
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THE FINE ART OF HELEN VIOLET
by Scott Broecker
Imagine if you could shrink down your dog and hold him in the palm of your hand. As you gaze into your pup’s soulful eyes, he gazes back up at you adoringly. If your dog is still with you, this finely hand-sculpted replica would be their perfect lifelike “mini-me.” For dogs that have passed on, a touching, heartfelt keepsake to always remember them by.
Helen Violet is a talented Canadian artist, based in Toronto, who creates these 3D miniature masterpieces. She also draws stunning gray scale portraits of dogs.
One of these mini-mes, Winston the Chihuahua, is sculpted holding his favorite green toy, as he would in life. Each of these sculptures starts out as a twisted wire and foil armature. Slabs of rolled clay are applied, blended, and shaped before being slowly detailed from the tip of the dog’s nose to the wagging tip of their tail.
On another, Helen flips her model of Rocky, a dark brown Bull Mastiff, upside down to paint the detail of his white speckled chest as well as the pads on his feet. Because of Helen’s commitment to accuracy and detail, each piece takes around 150 hours to complete.
Each of these dogs is lovingly re-created by Helen, and each one has their own story. Helen appreciates the trust that her clients place in her to capture the essence of their fur babies. Hearing their stories of how these dogs have impacted their lives makes creating each piece a special and emotional practice for her. We interviewed Helen recently to learn more about her and her artwork:
How long have you been creating dog sculptures?
My first sculpture was created in 2015 as a gift. Prior to this, I focused solely on drawing but was always fascinated by sculpture. I thought it was beyond my capabilities until I purchased some clay and gave it a go. I’ve been alternating between drawing and sculpting since then.
Did you study dog anatomy?
It wasn’t until I started creating and selling dog sculpture that I familiarized myself with dog anatomy. When I create a sculpture, I work from my client’s photos, but if necessary, I will also refer to images of the breed’s anatomy.
What is your art background?
I knew at a very young age that I was passionate about art. I remember in Grade 1, my class was sitting in a
circle taking turns saying two things we might want to be when we grow up. My first answer was artist. Second, veterinarian! My passion for art, drawing in particular, continued to grow with me.
I went to university for Fine Art, but I was not confident that I could make a living in art. I thought perhaps I would be an art teacher, but that wasn’t my true aspiration.
The day I decided to make a dog sculpture and share it online changed the course of my life!
Do you alternate between drawing and sculpture, and have you done both with the same dog model?
Yes, I alternate between the two. I love both, but I do find sculpting to be more taxing. So, it is nice to take breaks and refresh by alternating. These days, I tend to be drawing more, but I find that the skills I’m developing with the pencil can be transferred to clay.
This year I was commissioned to both draw and sculpt a pair of Havanese. It was a good experience. The owner wanted a specific expressive look in their eyes in both pieces. Drawing their portraits first was a great way to study their features and expressions before recreating them in clay.
Do your sculptures require a working drawing? Or are you mostly working off of photos?
I am mostly working from photos, but I always make sketches first to decide on position, proportions, and sizing.
If you are working off a photo, is it difficult to get your proportions correct?
Yes, it is definitely challenging to imagine a 3D object from images, especially if photos from all angles of the pet aren’t available. This is why sketching the sculpture is important, as well as taking time with the underlying armature.
Do you always inquire about the dog’s story before beginning a portrait or clay model?
Yes. Knowing about the pet I am modeling/drawing makes the process so much more enjoyable for me. It helps me connect to my work on a deeper level.
It warms my heart to learn how special and unique each pet is to their owner. I’ve had the pleasure to read some lovely stories.
Did you grow up with dogs and other animals?
I did! I begged my parents for a dog for years before my first dog Keisha entered my life on my 11th birthday. I can’t imagine not having a dog in my life. They offer so much love and joy and are a reminder to live life in the moment and to the fullest.
How did you progress so relatively quickly in honing your sculpturing skills?
Having practiced drawing my whole life, I was able to transfer my observational skills to sculpture. It was a fun challenge for me to create something 3D—something I could hold. It then took years to refine my skills with a new material, and I am still honing those skills! With each piece, I am always experimenting, learning and working to improve my technique. Though, I think being able to capture personality in my work comes from my love and passion for both art and dogs!
What parallels do drawing and sculpture have in common?
sculpting require good observational skills and an understanding of shape. I always focus on larger shapes in the early stages of drawing and sculpting before I refine and add detail, switching to a focus on smaller shapes. I find that practicing drawing fur helps me to sculpt it better, and vice versa. Fur isn’t about lines, it’s about shape!
What do you like most about drawing in gray scale over using color in your portraits?
Despite art teachers’ urges to use color, I have always preferred gray scale. I am a graphite enthusiast! I love the simplicity of the medium. I find it relaxing and therapeutic to create something using one simple tool, one simple colour. The thought of colour feels hectic to me.
If I use colour, it’s minimal and desaturated. For example, I may add a hint of colour to a portrait of a Husky with beautiful blue eyes. The only other time I use colour is to paint my sculptures. I always dread painting, but it must be done!
What kind of studio space do you use to work from?
My studio space is very small and simple. It’s at home, and it’s a desk from Ikea with a cork board above, featuring photos of loved ones, to-do lists, and ideas.
Do you apply a fixative to your pencil drawings?
Yes. I apply a fixative to protect the piece and to reduce graphite shine.
Are your sculptures fired in a kiln before being painted?
My sculptures are created with polymer clay. Polymer clay needs to be cured before I paint it. It is safe to cure in my oven at home.
How far ahead are you booked for commissions?
I open commissions a few times a year, accepting a limited number of orders each time. I’ll book myself for a few months at a time before opening for more orders. Doing it this way helps me to avoid getting overwhelmed, and it also offers me some freedom if I need a break from commissions to focus on a personal drawing or sculpture.
At what point did your sculptures and drawings start to gain more attention from a wider audience?
It happened quickly and unexpectedly! I created my first dog sculpture as a gift to my husband (then boyfriend) in 2015. He loved it so much, he thought it would be a good idea to make and sell them. I wasn’t so sure. At the time, I had just finished my Bachelor of Education (following my Bachelor of Fine Art) and was looking for a job as a teacher —a job I didn’t truly want. I was still in the mindset of “I can’t make a living making art.”
I thought I may as well post on Instagram and see if anyone was interested, and within a month or two, I was booked for a year and getting a lot of online features. I couldn’t believe it actually! I’ve been making a living doing what I truly love ever since. I’m so grateful.
Do you work on numerous pieces at once, so to speak?
I prefer to focus on one project at a time, giving it my full effort and attention. Sometimes, I might alternate between two pieces but any more than that would create stress for me.
Is it difficult for you to box and ship a piece after spending so many hours working on it?
Absolutely! It’s hard to say goodbye! Especially to my sculptures. I feel like they are my babies, and I always wish them safe travels to their forever home. Haha. But I am so happy they will be loved and cherished.
Was it extra special to work on dogs like Instagram star Tuna and American Humane Society Hero Dog winner Harley?
It was so special and such an honour. Harley’s sculpture was commissioned as a gift and was given to his mom at his celebration of life event after he passed. Being able to watch Harley’s mom open his sculpture and seeing her reaction was an indescribable feeling. It brought tears and really made me feel purpose in what I do.
How would you like your artwork to progress in the future, and would you ever consider doing a larger sculpture?
I would like to continue to hone my skills by experimenting and trying new mediums and techniques. Most importantly though, I want to continue to focus on enjoying the process of creation. This is how soul is translated to a piece. It’s how personality and emotion are captured. I’ve also wanted to take more time for myself to create personal pieces and share more of myself in my work.
I’ve imagined creating a life-size sculpture! Though, polymer clay wouldn’t be suitable for that. Maybe someday I will experiment with a new material so I can go big!
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~ Patrick McDonnel MUTTS cartoonist
The Little Terrier Who Captured the Hearts of a Nation
Betty White: A Lifetime of Love for Animals
In Memoriam – Betty White January 17, 1922 – December 31, 2021
Betty White was one of the best-known celebrity animal advocates in the world. Her love of animals was instilled in her from childhood. Her parents were animal lovers and took care of many pets during the depression. Betty’s love of animals blossomed in the 1970s on the set of The Pet Set, which highlighted celebrities and their animals.
Betty worked with and supported many animal welfare organizations and lent her voice and her celebrity to many animal causes. She was best known for her involvement with the Los Angeles Zoo, the Morris Animal Foundation, the African Wildlife Foundation, and Actors and Others for Animals.
Betty and her late husband, Allen Ludden, purchased a home in Carmel in 1978. She enjoyed spending time on the Central Coast and was a supporter of our local SPCA for Monterey County.
Over the years, Betty shared her life with many dogs. It is reported that she had welcomed 26 individual dogs into her life throughout her adult years. Her last dog was Pontiac, a Golden Retriever. Pontiac was a career-change guide dog and was often featured on Betty’s Instagram page. After Pontiac passed away in 2017, Betty said she didn’t want to bring in somebody new because she didn’t want to leave them behind when she died.
In honor of Betty White, animal lovers were encouraged to donate to their favorite animal charity in her memory. Dubbed the #BettyWhiteChallenge, the virtual event started within days of her death at the age of 99 and led up to her 100th birthday celebration. The movement was a huge success. No one has the total figure donated in honor of Betty White, but local rescue groups report an overwhelming response. The #BettyWhiteChallenge will continue to inspire animal lovers to remember Betty and help support the causes that were so dear to her heart. It is never too late to give and to make a difference. That is how Betty would have wanted it.
Rest in Peace, Betty. You have left your mark on the world, and the people and animals who loved you will never forget you. We will carry on your advocacy for those who can’t speak for themselves.
