Small Business Spotlight: Helen Lary
One of the greatest privileges of running a small business is the opportunity to support other small businesses. From the time I began Hazen at the age of 9, I have encountered many people who have supported me in my work and the pursuit of my aspirations for this business. Those are the individuals who have forever influenced and shaped my life by instilling in me the courage to pursue my dreams, and oftentimes, opening the doors through which I could best pursue those dreams.
Meet our Small Business Highlight, Helen Lary. Inspired by travel and all things beautiful, Helen paints with a modern, bohemian style. She is a self taught painter and her love for tastefully bold colors mixed with delicate stroke work reflects her personal design aesthetic. Relaxed, organic, stylish with bursts of color.
Although much of her work is in acrylic, she continues to integrate mixed media, oil pastels, pastels, and charcoal, finding new ways to bring even more texture and movement to her work.
She and her husband, both Baylor University graduates, live in Dallas, TX. They have three children.
Q: When did you develop a love for painting?
A: I fell in love with painting after picking up a paint brush to try my luck with a piece of art for our first home. I decided to paint something as a stand-in until we found the perfect piece of art, I had so much fun and the result exceeded even my own expectations. I instantly knew that I had found the perfect avenue to explore. It just clicked! I love the creativity and playfulness of it all.
Q: What materials do you use in your work? Paints, canvas, paper, etc?
A: My go to materials are large and small canvases, cold pressed watercolor paper, acrylic paints, charcoal and oil pastels. Oil pastels are so vibrant and one of my favorite materials to work with. Also, trying out new materials is always really exciting and it’s fun to experiment!
Q: From where do you draw your inspiration?
A: My travels to Mexico never cease to result in a few paintings. I come home and dream in the colors until I get them right! I’m also inspired by interior design, nature and other artisans. All the beautiful baubles at Hazen & Co. made it so easy to create fun minis I created for this month’s Halen happy.
Q: Playing with colors and textures excites us when designing jewelry. What excites you when painting?
A: I’ve heard that my paintings are colorful calm, so I hope that’s true. True joy is when beautiful color and amazing texture come together. Everything comes together to create these little moments of interest and beauty and that is really exciting to see when you finish a piece.
I also love the excitement of an idea that has popped into my head, working out that idea and then as the painting progresses, finding new direction and depth with each decision. I almost always start with an idea and end up somewhere totally different!
Q: Any business leaders or artists that inspire or influence you and your brand?
A: I am a sucker for all things creative and love following other artists, photographers, and interior designers. I adore Kerri Rosenthal, Kelly Wearstler and Teil Duncan. What they have done with their businesses is really inspiring! Dorthy Shain, Allison James, Charlie French and Gretchen Warsen with Toddy Pond Designs have a lot of fun with color and their pieces always draw me in! I also have some artist friends here in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and I am constantly inspired by these ladies and their dedication to creating from the heart. And who isn’t inspired by some of the greats like Matisse, Monet, and Helen Frankenthaler! The list goes on and on!
Q: What can we look forward to seeing from your brand in the near future?