Bio • Helen Dalgleish

The artistic journey of Helen Lay began at age eleven while attending free summer-time art classes in her hometown of San Bernardino, CA.  She enjoyed many happy carefree hours learning to draw and paint with pastels and watercolors.   For about three years she skated on city sidewalks to class several times a week carrying her little supply of paints and paper.  The classes were taught by Miss Effie Phelps who was sponsored by the WPA (Works Progress Administration).  This art program of the 1930s was but a small part of a nationwide effort initiated by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt to employ the jobless during the era of the Great Depression.

Later on as Helen’s attention was shifted to being the wife of Arthur Dalgleish, and a mother, she remained focused on her interest in art.   When her children reached school age, she attended San Bernardino Valley Junior College that had an excellent art program.   Studies of life drawing, beginning and advanced watercolor, and oil were completed under the excellent tutelage of Mrs. Hilda Mohle, chairperson of the Art Department.  Classes in scientific and technical illustration were later added to her list of studies at this institution.  When her family relocated temporarily in the Bay area, Helen again took college-level classes in basic design, and advanced painting under Kenneth Orrett at Foothill College.  Upon moving back to Southern California, and after her youngest child completed his education, she pursued her dream of obtaining a college degree.  At age 49 she received a BA degree from La Sierra University, Riverside, CA, with a major in Fine Arts, and a provisional certificate to teach K through 12th grade in public schools.  Her work resume included teaching art classes in her home, and two years as staff artist in the Audiovisual Department of Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA.

About 1974, Helen and her husband began taking their two-week vacation to attend a college-level watercolor workshop taught by nationally-known Dr. Vernon Nye.  The workshops were based at the Albion Field Station, Albion, CA, and “plein air” sessions were held daily at different locations along the Pacific Coast.  Records indicate that altogether they have attended for sixteen summers.  It had become so much a part of their lives, that they looked forward eagerly to the yearly reunion with Vernon Nye and friends.  Most recently art classes in watercolor and acrylic painting have been with well-known local artists Joan Brumley and Jerome Grimmer.   Several watercolor workshops have been attended since 2005.   They include those with Joan Brumley at ECCO (Evergreen Conference Center at Oakhurst), Barbara Nechis, at Calistoga, California, Rose Eden at ECCO, and two years ago a farewell workshop with Dr. Nye at Albion Field Station, near Mendocino, CA.

Helen enjoys working in various media and in a variety of styles.  However, her main interest is exploring watercolor, as she enjoys the challenge of the medium.  Often a painting is approached with flexibility and spontaneity which may help turn it into a “happy accident.”  Other times, she feels analytical and disciplined, working out the details of difficult problems.  Much of the work in her portfolio is of landscapes along the coast.  Her most recent interest has been to capture the beauty of fresh flowers.  However, the creation of abstract designs derived from nature and the environment is a fascinating challenge for her.  She has a unique ability of cutting people’s silhouettes from paper, and in the past has shared this talent at school fairs and other fund-raising events.

The Dalgleishes retired to the foothill community of Coarsegold, California in 1989.  They have been active members in the local art organization, Yosemite Western Artists, since 1992.  Helen’s phone number is (559) 658-8464.