"Springtime at the Secret Annex"

18" X 24"
Acrylic on Canvas

Inspiration:

The photographs I've seen of the Frank's Secret Annex are wintertime scenes shot in black and white-Anne's beloved chestnut tree bearing no leaves. These scenes seem a bit dreary to me. I imagined what the same scene might look like in springtime, chestnut tree in full bloom.

Message:

The view from the Secret Annex must have not always been dreary while the Frank's were in hiding. This painting celebrates the inner peace and joy that Anne must have felt from viewing her favorite tree in all its glory.

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.

15% of proceeds from the sale of this piece benefit the Anne Frank Center