Please describe your artwork style
A holistic therapist and artist I developed my unique technique and style “Healing Arts” integrating Fine Art, Expressive Arts, and the Art of Healing. Ibelieve art heals. I believe in the inter-connectedness of mind, body and spirit.I believe that art as a powerful form of self-expression is a vehicle for emotional, physical, mental and spiritual well-being.
I’ve created my brand ©”Healing Arts” over 20 years ago when I first was practicing healing work as a holistic practitioner. Being a Scientist, Psychologist, Therapist -helped me to conceptualize and further develop my concept “Healing Arts”, while being a Healer and Artist – added a gift to express it in beautiful forms which warmyour Heart, touches your Soul, and uplifts your Spirit.
Around 2005 I began to create more and more artwork first, for my own healing process, and since 2006 I’ve been consistently working in this modality while communicating my healing message to the communities. I want to ensure that my “Healing Arts” is communicated consistently and compellingly to galleries, curators, collectors, arts organizations, Hospitals, Medical Centers, Corporate Buildings, Hotels, and other audiences - wherever it can enhance healing and promote well-being. I believe my “Healing Arts” has a big future!
Tell us about yourself, your background?
Growing up in a Communist State of what then was the USSR where oppression and control were a daily reality, had formed my beliefs, values, and a great respect for freedom to express yourself. In 1991 I immigrated to USA, whereto I brought my Jewish heritage, 3 graduate degrees, 0 English, and an unending thirst to explore the World and its meaning. Coming from a family of Scientists, I’ve been always fascinated by the left/right brain relationship, which led me to study many things – from mathematics and science to psychology, therapy and healing to fine art, and finally create my unique venue “Healing Arts”. A refugee from Russia, my art reflects an existential view on life, desire to bridge Realities and heal the Past. I think my art is better experienced “in-person” due to live vibrations of bright colours, heavy textures, usually large size, and an overall charisma and liveliness. If you are a seeker on a Quest looking for a quintessential insight, a person who wants to embrace a healing power of art, or just wishing to feel better – you might find yourself on a Journey to discovering your inner strength, or just find it rewarding to meditate with my “Healing Arts” works (which many people do…).
How long have you been an artist?
All my life! I think it’s either you are an artist or not – you don’t become an artist, say after you took a weekend workshop, or graduated from a prestigious Art School. You can of course learn new things, techniques, styles, tricks, whatever… but I think to be a true Artist - you have to have thegift, talent, the creativity, originality, that crazy urge, calling, whatever you want to call it – the whatever that doesn’t let you sleep at night, that forces you to study HOW to do things, to perfect them, to experiment, to make mistakes… - the gift from God. It either you have it or not. The gift that let your creations touch other people, sooth their souls, let them feel better, speak to their hearts…
How have you developed your career? How does your working day look like?
My day is… usually crazy! One might think that being a “full time” artist entails some sort of a luxurious life style, like similar to what you see in the movies…:) But let me tell you that a “creative process” is not an easy thing… Really! Those who are familiar with various intricacies of a creative process of any nature, those who know that closely will agree with me, I think. So… my ‘working day’ might look like a regular ‘working day’ for most folks who work like 9-6 schedule, and then work another job on top of that for a few more hours :), or it might be totally crazy with a lot of actual painting time and lots of ‘processing’ time in-between which would result in like 20H ‘working day’… And then a lot of time is going to other (yet important) stuff like creating advertising materials, making prints, giclees, making photos & working with images of your art , creating and managing websites, and of course, making arrangements for shows and exhibits, inviting guests and collectors, actually providing and facilitating them, producing all possible marketing materials, etc. etc. etc. – well… you know it all, right? – it is CRAZY! I think the actual time I spend painting is about 25%, if I’m lucky to have this time! Other 75% goes to everything else around your art career – of course, if you treat it as a career vs. hobby … For me – developing my unique brand ©“Healing Arts” and creating my unique artworks – is of course, a fulltime career!
Which current art world trends are you following?
I don’t think I’m following any specific trends, but I lean more towards Abstract Impressionism and Expressionism, while creating my own trend “Healing Arts”.
Where do you create your work?
In my Studio.
What do you feel is the role of the artist in society?
It is HUGE. It’s easy to underestimate the role of ART in society, especially NOW - with all these exciting new technologies, gadgets, apps, software, etc. etc. But… I believe ART heals. A holistic therapist and artist for over 25 years, I believe that art can become a vehicle for emotional, physical, mental and spiritual well-being, and enhance healing to those in need. Coming from a family of scientists I’ve been always fascinated by the left and right brain relationship which led me to study many things – from mathematics and science to psychology, therapy and healing to fine art, and finally led to create my unique technique, style and venue “Healing Arts”. Communicating on subliminal levels, my art delivers this holistic message through positive intentionality and healing frequencies of colour, which brings you in touch with your own Journey.
I believe in the inter-connectedness of mind, body and spirit. I believe that now, more than ever, World needs positive energy and spiritually-based intentions, beliefs and values.
I believe ART is a catalyst for healing individuals, society and the environment.
Which is more important to you, the subject of your painting, or the way it is executed?
Of course – the way it is executed! The subject matter is important too, but… because of my belief in the inter-connectedness of mind, body and spiritI believe I create Healing Arts. As an artist and healerI believe that communicating on subliminal levels my art delivers a healing message through positively charged intention, healing frequencies of colour, embedded spiritual messages, energetically balanced composition, and brings you in touch with your own Journey.
What projects have you been working on?
I sometimes work with different artists on various creative Projects. The most powerful was a collaboration with another artist (legendary Garsot) to create a unique art Concept – ©ArtSynergism and our unique Series by painting together, simultaneously, on the same canvas, without defined parameters or tasks, freely flowing, integrating our individual techniques, art forms, styles, intertwining, embracing and enhancing each other's spontaneous colours and movement. Our “products”so far - two unique, synergistically created, Collections “Muses and Music” (10 large paintings (48”x48”) and a huge 2-sided Screeen (8’x10’ feet) and “Zodiacs” (12 pieces – in works).
Recently, I had an amazing TV Interview re: “Healing Arts in Healthcare “ – you can see it on youtube - https://youtu.be/c7kHX1CXTmk. This is a major direction for my ©”Healing Arts” I’ve been trying to work on, and am looking forward to develop nationally and internationally.It is a Purpose and Mission of my “Healing Arts”.
Any current or up-coming exhibitions?
Preparing for the ArtExpo2018 in New York, but will only have a couple works exhibited there… (too expensive!). Have a lot of offers to exhibit internationally, but… had to decline (too expensive!)☹… In the last few years my ”Healing Arts” participated in over 50 Juried shows, national and international exhibitions including SPECTRUM Art Basel Miami 2017-16-15-14-13; Art San Diego 2015-14; Art Hamptons NY 2015-14; Art EXPO NY 2017-16-15-14-13; Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series 2015-14; ART HOP, VT 2017-16-15-14-13; CONTINUUM, Art Synergy & Art Palm Beach 2017-16-15-14-13; RAW “Finalists and Director’s favourites; City Hall of Hollywood FL “Art in Public Places”, and many others. My “Healing Arts” won awards, was exhibited in NY, NJ, VT, WI, MI, MN,CA, and all over FL; featured in multiple online galleries including Saatchi, Fine Art America, and many others; on display in galleries in FL, MI, NY, VT. I was named a “Collectible Artist 2016” by Brickell and Key Biscayne Magazines (“Dealer’s Dozen”, Dec. Issue 2016).
The latest: Jan. 2018 – Featured Artist @ MCOST Exhibitions (Open Studio Tour), Martin County FL; Jan 2018 – Manhattan Art International. Award of Excellence. New Beginnings Exhibition. Jan 2018 – Featured Artist Interview. Rickie Report - http://www.therickiereport.com/2018/01/15/helen-kagans-colorful-artwork-brings-joy-and-positivity-visit-her-open-studio-january-20th-and-21st/; Dec. 2017 – Featured Artist. "Art&Beyond Publications". SPECTRUM Miami, Booth 802
Dec. 2017 – Featured Artist "ArtTour International Publications". SPECTRUM Miami, Booth 319; Dec. 2017-Jan 2018 – Featured Artist @ Artist Corner International Gallery, Miami & LA; Nov-Dec.2017 – Awarded Solo Show @ LightSpaceTime online Gallery (25 works); Oct-Nov 2017 – Solo Show @ “All Souls Interfaith” Spiritual Center, Shelburne VT; Nov. 2017 – Featured Artist (Finalist) International Juried Show IAF, Highline Loft Gallery, NY; Sept. 2017 – Featured Artist.
Where do you find your ideas for your work?
EVERYWHERE!
Is there an artwork you are most proud of? Why?
Yes. “In Search Of Meaning”. I call it “my signature work”. It is highly spiritual, big bright and beautiful, very colourful, very complex, provocative and deep, yet aesthetically appealing, meditative and even calming… It encompasses EVERYTHING I believe in.
I believe I am a “visionary artist”. I believe for many of us, creatives, Art – is a spiritual path, a transformational process, a way of being.I believe in the inter-connectedness of mind, body and spirit. I believe that now, more than ever, World needs positive energy and spiritually-based intentions, beliefs and values. I believe ART is a catalyst for healing individuals, society and the environment. I feel privileged to be among visionary artists and am happy to share my beliefs about the healing power of art. My vibrant healing art is a statement of all my beliefs.
