Sporting Dog Artist Helen Nash asks: “What makes a person paint?”

(Field Trial Magazine article-March 2005)

"What is it that makes a person want to paint? I wish I knew the answer to that, then maybe I could find the cure, and go do something easy with the rest of my life."

Raised in the woods of Tennessee, second of nine brothers and sisters, Helen Nash had the whole world of nature as her playground. Remembering back, Helen says, “We were never told how far we could go or when to come home, just so we had our chores done before 'hitting the woods'. (Mama knew we'd be back by suppertime!) Our fare was whatever we raised in the garden, and Daddy brought in from his afternoon hunt. We weren't allowed pets because they ate too much, but each spring we did have a fine menagerie of wild pets--baby birds, an occasional squirrel, and once a little red fox--talk about mischief!”

Helen began drawing the critters around her at an early age, and even sold her first ‘art’
in the second grade. Always knowing she was an artist, and would someday paint fulltime,
she studied and painted over the years. Then in 1995, she quit a ten year successful sales career to start painting pictures. Fate had said, ‘Enough, just do it!’ Setting out to get the best training possible, she began studying with some of the great artists of our time, including the world's best sporting dog artist, Robert K. Abbett. It was his painting of an Irish Setter in International Artist Magazine which inspired Helen to paint dogs in earnest. She said, "I never knew anything could be so beautiful, look so real, and just be paint-- I believe it is actually breathing!"

Her first dog portrait, a Chocolate Lab named Mud, became the Kentucky Ducks Unlimited sponsor print in 1990. Before long she began painting commissions for people and hunting groups across the nation. Several of her paintings have been featured on the covers of national magazines, including the Pointing Dog Journal, and the Retriever Journal, as well as a Danbury Mint collectors plate.

Helen said; “Painting these Champions for Pointing Dog organizations is an honor, as well as a huge responsibility. The challenge of making the spirit of that special dog show through is all important. Everyone has done their part in getting this one special dog to the top including the kennel, the owner, the handler, the organization and the sponsors. The painting is to commemorate this special Champion and event, so it’s gotta’ be right! From the photo shoot through the design to the final highlight stroke, it must all work together to not only honor the heart of a great dog, but also be a good work of art.”

"I'm thankful for my fierce, wonderful childhood, all the great folks who've inspired and
helped me, and fervently hope for just enough time to paint that 'perfect painting'.

Helen Nash now works full-time in her studio in the woods just north of Nashville, Tenn. You may reach at: 615-672-2984 or go to her website at: www.wildsidestudio.com to view more of her work.