What We're All About!
Welcome to the imaginative realm of Helene and Eric's art, including Fine Art (painting & mixed-media painting), "Wisdom Art" (3D Assemblage), and Artistic Embellishment (murals, faux). Eric and Hélène Bess are a team who have been collaborating for 20 years as well as creating their individual art. Both are professional artists with extensive experience in both commercial and fine art fields. Hèléne studied art at Phoenix Pratt School of Design and St. Petersburg Community College, St. Petersburg, Florida. Eric studied at Auburn University and the University of Alabama. Their diverse commissions have ranged from Florida to Hawaii. They have exhibited in many galleries including several featured artist showings throughout the United States. Their work is included in many private collections, including Newport Beach, California; Ponte Vedra, Florida; New York City, New York; Atlanta, Georgia; Washington, DC and Paris, France.
PAINTINGS by Erik:
“To me all art, regardless of the incredibly varied forms it takes, is the interpretive appreciation of beauty which is Life itself. My compositions range from complex symbolism to simple evocative imagery. Perhaps my art is a “bridge” between the abstract and the specific. I aim at strongly defined images with luminous color and high contrast, using dry brush technique and a unique technique of rendering shading of light and dark. (I NEVER use airbrush.) My operative goal is the “perfect” image (constantly strived for but perhaps never truly attained). Every artistic image, regardless of its simplicity or complexity, is open to an infinite scope of personal interpretation. Far more important is the undefinable feeling that is imparted through the unique image of the painting. To me, “abstract” is real…”concrete” is ephemeral.” - Erik
PAINTINGS by Helene:
“My current solo work in painting continues with whimsical characters within fun scenarios. My paintings strive to convey a kind of “quirky elegance”. I am strongly inspired by innovators of stylization like Modigliani and Klimt. My past experience in textile design instilled in me a love of textures and patterns which enter into my work. I enjoy writing short narratives to accompany each painting allowing the viewer to come along with me on a whimsical journey celebrating the joy of life!” - Helene
Art Descriptions
COLLAGE-PAINTINGS (“Papier Colle’”) by Eric & Helene:
“As we started collaborating in the early 2000’s a mixed media narrative art form emerged with its own identity and style with a marked element of whimsy. The result is both contemporary and classical, “quirky” and elegant. It draws inspiration from innovators of stylization like Modigliani and continues the grand tradition of mixed media masters such as Gustav Klimt.
We have endeavored to take the techniques of figurative painting, collage and embellishment to a new level, merging them into one striking image. In effect, illustration and assemblage are fused as a harmonious unity.
Many pieces are glazed with an acrylic over coat replacing the glass of traditional framing producing a piece that can stand on its own as frameless art (or be framed at the client’s discretion). Each piece is accompanied by an original story adding to its individual identity.” Eric & Helene
3D ASSEMBLAGE (“Wisdom Art”) by Helene:
“I suppose this art form is difficult to categorize although I do call myself an embellisher. I’ve coined the name “Wisdom Art” because I feel all of us share a mission to inspire our minds as a whole. With that in mind I also always include a positive message/narrative on a soldered, embellished plaque with each piece. From my perspective the purpose of all art, whatever form, is to uplift. My home studio is an outstanding “Petri dish” of jars, bins and boxes of beads, hardware and deconstructed found objects. We all have different perceptions as we view an object and that’s where the fun comes in. I look at an unadorned item and see how it can be altered and interpreted and transformed into something entirely different. I never attach to the idea of how precious the material is: gold, silver or valued antiques. To me the real value is in the juxtaposition and how they relate to each other and finding the key to discover the interest and profound beauty in overlooked and discarded objects. Personally… the actual hunting of individual pieces to make the whole is an exciting challenge besides the reconstruction!
Each of my pieces tell a story and how that story translates into capturing the heart and soul of an individual viewer is my reason for moving forward into future projects.” Helene
GICLEE PRINTS:
“We offer fine art giclee prints on demand (black & white and color) on premium, archival quality photo paper using archive quality inks; an affordable way to own original fine art! All paintings are available as a print. The images shown here are sold therefore they are ONLY available as a print. Each print is accompanied with a an original story written by the artists unique to the piece which depicts the work's inspiration. In addition, each print is hand-signed by the artists. Since each original work has its own unique proportions, it is centered in the requested paper size as large as possible without any cropping or distorting of the original image, leaving white around the edges.”
Price per print/ approximate size
16”x20”/ $93 color or black & white (shipping & handling $15.00)
18"x24"/ $162 color or black & white (shipping & handling $16.00)
24”x30”/ $234 color or black & white (shipping & handling $17.00)
32”x44”/ $338 color or black & white (shipping & handling $18.00)
Florida residents add 7% sales tax.
MURALS & EMBELLISHMENT:
For over 20 years Eric & Helene have been adding artistic touches and embellishments to homes and businesses, enhancing environments with murals (trompe l'oeil), fantastic faux finishes, mosaics and painted furniture.
They have been commissioned from Florida to Hawaii with custom murals, and faux treatments on walls, ceilings and columns for homes and businesses.
In addition to painting on site they offer “portable” murals on MDO board which the client can install. This can be advantageous because the client can take the mural with them if they move in the future. Also the artists work on the project in their studio with less disruption of the client’s home.
Each installation is designed through a creative brainstorming process with the client and pre-conceived in renderings and samples for creative content, color palette, budget perimeters and sign off by the customer.
Mixed Media Cut Outs:
For over 20 years Eric & Helene have been adding artistic touches and embellishments to homes and businesses, enhancing environments with murals (trompe l'oeil), fantastic faux finishes, mosaics and painted furniture.
They have been commissioned from Florida to Hawaii with custom murals, and faux treatments on walls, ceilings and columns for homes and businesses.
In addition to painting on site they offer “portable” murals on MDO board which the client can install. This can be advantageous because the client can take the mural with them if they move in the future. Also the artists work on the project in their studio with less disruption of the client’s home.
Each installation is designed through a creative brainstorming process with the client and pre-conceived in renderings and samples for creative content, color palette, budget perimeters and sign off by the customer.