How Helen Frankenthaler Inspires Me

Helen Frankenthaler: A Beacon of Innovation, Beauty, and Empowerment

When I think of Helen Frankenthaler, I see a fearless trailblazer who dared to redefine what painting could be. Her large, flowing canvases, vibrant with color and emotion, resonate deeply with my own artistic journey. Helen’s quest to capture and create beauty wasn’t just a pursuit of aesthetics—it was a statement of courage, an embrace of experimentation, and a testament to the transformative power of art.

Pretty Gorgeous, 2022, Cassandra Gaisford. Available>>

Helen’s giant color field paintings inspired many of my paintings, including Pretty Gorgeous. The joy of creating abstract paintings is the many meanings and beauty people find in them. This painting came from the landscapes of my mind. Picasso once said, “a painting is just another way of keeping a diary.”

Pretty Gorgeous was created during the horrendous Lockdown years, in which NZ had the harshest of experience. In this case, I was seeking freedom and liberation. Unable to travel freely my painting took me to places I have never been:) We are all colours that are constantly changing, we evolve every day, we vary every minute, and it is fun to reflect why these expansive ‘flow’ paintings feel so different to me.

Because my mood is constantly changing, the colours I am drawn to are constantly evolving too. Gorgeously layered with a sensuously saturated palette of cerulean blue, tropical greens, radiant yellows, and flourishes of vibrant lavenders. Pretty Gorgeous embodies the new energy of flow, optimism, hope and renewal that our souls ache for after the tumultuous, confining time of Covid lockdowns.

“Great works of art, music, and architecture that calibrate between 600 and 700 can transport us temporarily to higher levels of consciousness and are universally recognized as inspirational and timeless,” Dr. David Hawkins

Frankenthaler’s art speaks of freedom

Frankenthaler’s art speaks of freedom. Her technique, often referred to as “soak-stain,” broke away from convention. She poured thinned paint directly onto raw canvas, letting the colors bleed and flow organically. This innovative method blurred the boundaries between control and spontaneity, creating ethereal landscapes that seemed to pulse with life. Watching her work is a reminder that beauty often arises when we release our grip and allow life’s natural rhythm to guide us.

willingness to take risks

What inspires me most about Helen is her willingness to take risks. In a male-dominated art world, she wasn’t afraid to stand tall and let her voice be heard through her work. Her paintings didn’t fit neatly into the categories of her time, and she didn’t try to force them to. She trusted her instincts and let her art speak for itself. This boldness, this refusal to conform, reminds me that our uniqueness is our greatest strength. It’s a message I try to carry into my own creative process and share with others.

a sense of play

Helen’s work also embodies a sense of play. She once said, “There are no rules. That is how art is born, how breakthroughs happen. Go against the rules or ignore the rules. That is what invention is about.”

This philosophy has become a guiding principle for me. Whether I’m creating a painting, writing a story, or designing an experience, I remind myself to approach it with curiosity and a willingness to explore the unknown. It’s often in the messiness of trial and error that the most profound moments of beauty emerge.

Some ways you can channel her energy

For those of you reading this, I encourage you to embrace the spirit of Helen Frankenthaler in your own life. You don’t have to be an artist to live creatively. Here are some ways you can channel her energy:

1. Let Go of Perfection: Whether it’s in your work, your relationships, or your hobbies, give yourself permission to be imperfect. Try something new without worrying about the outcome. Beauty often lies in the unpolished moments.
   
   When asked how she approaches a “wrong turn” in a painting, Helen Frankenthaler’s answer was lengthy, focused on an intense, deep reworking of the composition: “Sometimes you can dig in again and retrieve the painting and make it something else. Then it acquires another kind of spontaneity,” she explained. “It becomes a more worked-into or scrubbed surface, often darker, more dense. You have salvaged its essence.” 
   
2. Experiment Boldly: Don’t be afraid to mix things up. If you’ve been following a strict routine, break free and try a different approach. In art, as in life, innovation comes from pushing boundaries.
   
   ’Well, I think it (painting) is a life measuring stick. And I’m concerned with being myself, getting to know more and more what that is, what is possible, and what the real meaning of beauty and development is. I’m concerned with development and growth. But I am in my everyday life. I hate to feel deadly…’ – her quote in: ‘Interview with Barbara Rose’, 1968
   
3. Find Your Flow: Dedicate time to an activity that lets you lose track of time. It could be painting, gardening, writing, or even cooking. When you’re in a state of flow, you tap into your most authentic and creative self.
   
4. Seek Beauty Everywhere: Helen found inspiration in the natural world, in music, in other artists. Make a habit of looking for beauty in your surroundings—a vibrant sunset, the rustle of leaves, a heartfelt conversation. Let these moments fuel your spirit.
   
   

5. Celebrate Your Voice: Your perspective, your experiences, your essence—these are your superpowers. Share them unapologetically, just as Helen did. Whether it’s through art, writing, or simply the way you live your life, let your light shine.

embrace the messy, the imperfect, and the bold

Helen Frankenthaler’s legacy reminds us that art is not just about creating something beautiful to look at—it’s about expressing something deeply human, something that connects us all. Her life and work encourage us to embrace the messy, the imperfect, and the bold. She reminds us to trust in our own unique vision and to never stop seeking the beauty that surrounds us.

So, take a page from Helen’s book. Pour your soul onto the canvas of your life. Let the colors flow, blend, and transform. And remember, as Helen’s work so vividly illustrates, beauty is not just something we see—it’s something we feel, create, and share with the world.

My book, Dancing Through Fields of Flowers was inspired by Helen Frankenthaler

Click the BUY NOW links below to get your copy today.

To purchase on Amazon>> 

https://mybook.to/DancingFieldsofFlowers

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Reader Reviews

another heart-warming story that is a great read for young and old

Once again Cassandra has done what she does so well: spread joy through her magic with words that provide such wonderful visualisation. The reader could be forgiven for taking time out from reading to do a little dance as this is how well this book tells its story. Yes, it is not all bright and brilliant but those wee dark spots are treated so well that the reader can relate to Cassie and move through the process back to light, bright and happy with her. Definitely another heart-warming story that is a great read for young and old. Now it is time to go for another dance through the flowers of my garden……………..

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