The Republic Dreaming
First place, 2026 Congressional Art Competition, PA-3. On view in the Cannon Tunnel of the U.S. Capitol. [Helen's own description from the entry form can go here if she wants it.]
Paintings
Big Little Sister
Self-portrait
Loseekum
5 Months
Figure and portrait studies
Studies from life at Studio Incamminati, a classical atelier in South Philadelphia. These include nude figure studies.
Full-Body Oil Study
21 hour study over 3 days, from life.
Portrait Oil Study
3 hour study from life.
2 Full-Body Oil Gestures
4 hour and 3 hour study respectively, both from life.
Full-Body Oil Gesture
1 hour study from life.
Portrait Early Construction
3 hour study from life.
Sculpture
[Insert name]
Inspired by Greek amphora vases. Hand built using
[Insert name]
Color and sheen inspired by oil slick on water. Made by creating facial mold, casting in plaster and using additive and subtractive sculpting methods.
Drawing
Graphite Portrait Study
6 hour study, 2 sessions over 2 weeks, from life.
Full-Body Charcoal Gesture
30 minute study from life.
Full-Body Charcoal Gesture
1 hour study from life.
Full-Body Charcoal Gesture
1 hour study from life.
Small paintings
Five portraits on three-inch canvases.
[Tiny Portraits]
Each one is three inches square, about the size of a Post-it note.
At one scale
Three of the paintings above, laid on top of each other at the same scale: Big Little Sister at 36 by 36 inches, The Republic Dreaming at 20 by 16, and Laugh at 3 by 3.
