San Fran Voice

Helena Tiainen was born in Finland but relocated to the Bay Area in 1979 where she immediately began studying art at the San Francisco Art Institute.  Since then, she has been exploring both the world of art in the Bay Area and her own endless potential for creative growth.  Her art is colorful, creative and dynamic.  In this interview, she shares information on what she’s doing, where you can see it and what she’s experienced as an artist in the area.

What can you tell us about the basics of your artwork?

I am a painter. I create 2 and 3-D paintings mainly on stretched canvas. I work with water media, acrylics and watercolors. I also do “folded canvas painting”, which is a technique I created on my own. And I do mixed media paintings utilizing anything from store-bought beads to found/recycled objects. My subject matter ranges from something as everyday / common as flowers and fruit to highly imaginative and abstract dream-like and other-dimensional paintings.

What projects are you working on now?  What art goals do you have for yourself?

I am currently working on two series of paintings. The first one is the “Cosmic Carnival” series, in which I am on painting number five, subtitled “The Dance”. This series is ongoing and can be viewed at http://www.yessy.com/HelenaTiainen/carnival.html. I am also working on a series called “Unity” which is a more recent undertaking. The overarching art goal that I have for myself is to be the best artist that I can be and to create the best work that I can create.

Where can we see your work?

I am currently showing with three other women artists at Theatre 39 on Pier 39 in San Francisco. This exhibit is called “4 x 4”. I also have work at the Frank Bette Center for the Arts in Alameda in the “Earth & Sky & Between” exhibit. There are some upcoming exhibits in the plans and those interested in finding out what, where and when can check out my website for details in the future: http://www.yessy.com/HelenaTiainen/bio.html .

How much networking do you do with other local artists?  What types of art events do you enjoy?

I have organized art exhibits in collaboration with other local artists. “FinnArt” and “Arts and Crafts at the Kaleva Hall” are two art events that I have co-chaired in Berkeley. I am also a brand new member of the Nordic 5 Arts and a member of the Frank Bette Center for the Arts. I see myself having increasing networking opportunities with other local artists. The art events that I enjoy have a lot of freedom about them. There is no specific agenda, just good art on display and for sale. I like to explore art and listen to my inner responses to the art that I am exploring and then perhaps casually share those experiences with others who are also exploring.

How does the city inspire or affect your artwork?

I have been in the Bay Area since 1979. At this point it is a little hard to separate myself from an environment that has supported me for such a long time. It is perhaps easiest to tell the difference after having been away and arriving back home. I am always awestruck by the vastness and special beauty of this area.

What do you think the average visitor to San Francisco should know about the art scene here?I think it would benefit any visitor interested in the visual arts to know that depending on where they go, the art that they will be exposed to will vary greatly. There is a great variety of work in a great variety of media in a great variety of galleries and a visitor would benefit from doing their research ahead of time on the commercial galleries they wish to visit. There are also many alternative spaces that display art, so look around when you are in a restaurant or other public areas to see whether there is local art on display.

What advice do you have for emerging artists? Once you know that art is your passion and calling in life you must give it all that you have and never give up.