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Kristin Helberg

Craft, Painting, Public Art, Visual / Media

I paint what interests me. And so many things do. Historical portraits, sea monsters, old tavern signs, whales, birds....each week there is something new to intrigue me. A new project might not always work as I had hoped, but it always takes me onto the next one that usually does.

About the Artist

Kristin makes her home and studio in Towson, Maryland. She sells her paintings, tavern signs and vinegar grained boxes at artisan shows such as the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival.  Other venues include the former Sugarloaf shows, the American Artisan Show at Wilton and the Waterford Festival. Each year she creates permanent murals, working with students in Maryland schools,  The murals are funded by both the Howard County Arts council and the MD State Arts Council.

Kristin Helberg website View Website

Artist's Statement

I have always loved history.  About 20 years ago, I learned the art of Early American vinegar graining from an Artisan in Lancaster, PA who did restoration work for Colonial Williamsburg.   I wanted to learn the authentic paint formulas for vinegar graining so that I could make interesting frames for my paintings.  That led me in another direction of painted chests and boxes which I still create for shows.  For seven years I taught a week long class on vinegar graining at Mcdaniel College in Westminster and it was nice to be about to share an old artform and pass it on.

Featured Work

Photos

small painting depicting a plague doctor in protective clothing in 17th and 18th centuries in Europe.
Norwegian sailors described large sea monsters that attacked their ships.
Small box which I have vinegar grained with a tiny wooden pear that is the knob to lift off the top.
With all the ancient alien programs, I thought I would have some fun creating my own story of what might have happened. Cave man drawings VS the Aliens.
I have created a series of Tavern Signs based on early american signs. I create places with wonderful names that never existed such as the The Wrens Nest. Wouldn't you love to wake up there?
A portrait of Poe which I created in 2017. Museum quality giclee print on canvas. The title plate is hand painted on the frame. Poe not only lived in Baltimore for a few years, he died here tragically and the cause of his death is still a mystery.

Videos

  • Kristin Helberg artwork

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    A video featuring my tavern signs, paintings and vinegar grained boxes
    Year: 2020
    Details: 2.23 minutes

  • Stonegate Elementary School Mural

    See more information about Stonegate Elementary School Mural
    A time lapse video created by Bonnie Rich showing the birth of a rain forest mural. This mural was funded by the school and Maryland State Arts Council.
    Medium: three woden panels and acylic paint
    Year: 2002
    Details: 2:01 minutes

  • Kristin Helberg portrait of the Obama family

    See more information about Kristin Helberg portrait of the Obama family
    In 2009 I created a painting of the Obama family. I was visiting family on Martha's Vineyard that August and entered the painting in the Martha's Vineyard Fair. My niece Nya and nephew Andre helped me make this video to invite the Obama family to see the painting at the fair as the Obama family was staying there at the time.
    Medium: Video
    Year: 2009
    Details: 1:48 minutes

Booking

Booking Price: $2,001-$5,000

Arts in Education

Audiences Types: Grades Pre-K – 2, Grades 3-5, Educators