"Anne with Diary"

18" X 24"
Acrylic on Canvas

Inspiration: Anne Frank had a special relationship with her diary. I wanted to capture that with this
piece.

Message: Anne was determined, in some way, to live on. We lost Anne, but we still have her diary
and her legacy, which will live on forever.

Artist Statement

Helaine Sawilowsky is a visual artist who enjoys capturing the essence of a subject in a fresh and emotive way. Her artwork tells a story. And that story has an impact on the viewer-sparking ideas, thoughts, memories, feelings. She enjoys engaging with her favorite medium-acrylic paint, adding layers, adding touches, until finished works appear.

Helaine was influenced by her Jewish upbringing-by her father, an academically gifted reform rabbi and his wife-a nurse by training and devoted wife and mother. In college, Helaine studied drawing, painting, sculpture, pottery, ceramics, and metalwork at Memphis Academy of Fine Art. She learned medical illustration at the University of Georgia, as well as, graphic art at Atlanta Institute of Design.

Helaine worked for non-profits as an art instructor in Atlanta, GA and Charlotte, NC, inspiring students of all ages. During her time as a faculty member at Community School of the Arts (CSA) in Charlotte, CSA won a major grant from NBC's Today Show for excellence in teaching music and visual arts to underserved children.

Helaine has exhibited her work in group shows and festivals in South Carolina, Georgia, and North Carolina. She has also produced paintings on commission and sold freelance graphic art to various businesses, including Wilson Sporting Goods.

Helaine discovered in 2018 that she is related, through her paternal great, great grandfather, to Anne Frank. This new familial connection engendered a wave of emotions and passion, culminating in Helaine's producing a series of artwork in honor of Anne.

Helaine now lives with her family in Baltimore. She embraces modern orthodox Judaism, a source of spirituality for her. Helaine enjoys connecting to people via social media, including Facebook, J-Artist, Holocaust Social Archives (HSA), and Annelies Marie Frank.

Range of Work

Acrylic paintings, drawings, portraits, and landscapes. Favorite subject matter: Judaic art, Anne Frank, Holocaust, Jerusalem, prayer, weddings, and famous people.