Hélène Rush

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Alcohol Ink Artist and Instructor
In the fall of 2015 I went online to find out what encaustic painting was all about. While watching some Youtube videos I came across this beautiful, colorful, fluid magic called alcohol inks. What, pray tell, are those?! Within one week of discovering them I was signed up in Sheryl Williams’ Level 1 class. And the rest, as they say, is history… Or is it?
My name is Hélène Rush, and I live in Windham, Maine. I grew up in Montreal, Quebec—yes, French Canadian…you’ll hear that accent when listening to my lessons. I graduated high school at age 16 and went on to attend art school for one semester. Being young and foolish, I quit college to go work full time in an office (career number 1), and art was put on the back burner for many, many years.
Fast forward through career number two, that of knitwear designer, editor of a couple of how-to magazines (McCall’s Needlework & Crafts being one of them), and until September 2016, owner of my very own brand of handknitting yarn (Knit One, Crochet Too). After 30+ years of dabbling in fiber, my mind was open for new challenges and inspiration.
That is when I re-discovered the wonderful world of art, and I was hooked. Out went the yarn, and in came the inks, paints, and pencils! Alcohol inks is what opened me up to this new passion. After Level 1 class at the Alcohol Ink Academy, I enrolled in Level 2 and then Level 4 Water class.
I am pleased to now be a contributing teacher at the Academy so I can share my knowledge with you! My favorite style of painting is realistic with a blend of whimsical colors thrown in. And I am in love with markers. Why, you ask? Because they are portable, clean, and come in so many pretty colors. Who can resist? Not me (I have been called the marker queen…)! And as I am an explorer and innovator, don’t be surprised to find me coming up with new and different classes, using all kinds of fun tools. I hope I have tickled your sense of art adventure and that you will join me in my creative explorations!
Available Courses
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