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Helen J. Simeonoff is Sugpiaq (Alutiiq) of Kodiak, Alaska; her parents were William Simeonoff, Jr. of Kodiak and Alexandra Knagin (Knagg) of Afognak. Helen studied art in San Diego; attended a watercolor workshop held by Tom Lynch and college watercolor class Adak, Alaska . Interests include photography, glass fusing; and resin minature Sugpiat masks. Helen first learned of the Sugpiat cultural masks, beaded headdress collection collected by Pinart by attending a 1994 presentation given by Dominque Desson in Kodiak. In 1999 Anne Wells, formerly of London, photographed the Pinart collection in Boulogne; Anne Wells kindly provided Helen with photography of the collection and a travel route thru London then to Boulogne sur Mer, France. Other interests are beading, silversmithing, sewing, genalogy of Alaska native women who "married" Russian American Company employees.
Helen paints a variety of images incorporating her Sugpiat cultural symbols which are bright, colorful, whimsical and playful. She uses Arches 300 lb. hotpress watercolor paper for originals, Grumbacher watercolors and stiff oil paint brushes; her reproductions are matted with Crescent matboard cut for 11"x14" standard size frames.
Wholesale orders accepted.
Contact Helen for one time use fee arrangements.
See Helen Simeonoff Facebook for personal photographs.
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Photo of Helen in front of her home in Anchorage (courtesy of friends Karen and Rafael Burgos); Helen painted her front door with Sugpiat cultural symbols.
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