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Jane Hellendag. (HEL en dahg)

It’s a Dutch surname that is not so hard to pronounce but is usually mangled. Yes, it does start with a four-letter-word -- It really is H-E-double hockey stick but there’s nothing tricky about it. No silent “H” here.

I’m from Detroit. That name is likely to conjure up a few negative, and well-deserved, images. I’d love to be able to say that I’m from Seattle, or better yet, Paris. But Detroit, it is. Motown Music. Tiger Baseball. Stroh’s Beer. Vernor’s. Devil’s Night. I console myself, saying, “Who gets to choose where they’re born?”

I started painting at a young age; my medium usually poster paints on cardboard boxes. Although I don’t remember any special encouragement from my parents I never ran out of art supplies. And I mean NEVER. Such a quiet form of family support. Although members of my family were inclined more toward engineering I was destined for something different.

If you haven’t been to Detroit you may not know of Wayne State University. That no-nonsense urban university was a wonderful place to study art. As an added bonus, on the edge of campus is the Detroit Institute of Arts, which includes the very noteworthy Robert Hudson Tannahill Collection. I wasn’t the only art student who spent every available moment somewhere in the rooms of the Tannahill. In the last thirty years I’ve visited most of the major art museums in America but I still love the Detroit Institute of Arts best.

I had intended to become a printmaker but the B.F.A. curriculum had a very long list of required classes in drawing, more drawing, painting, sculpture and art history. Several weeks into my first required painting class my instructor came up to me in the hallway. She put her hands on my shoulders, looked me in the eye and said, ‘You’re not a printmaker. You’re a painter. Believe me!” Eventually I ended up changing directions, taking every available painting class. She was right. I needed the bold strokes of a brush and unrestrained color.

Although my B.F.A. in painting has never seemed to impress anyone in job interviews I’ve enjoyed work as a staff artist, art director and typographer. My career in the creative field provided an unanticipated education in developing fresh ideas, understanding composition and the balance of elements, and the inventive use of color. What began in the classroom was developed at the drawing board, in the pressroom, and in front of a computer. What a great time to be an artist.

A few years ago my husband, who is the son of a very successful painter, bought me a cute little silk painting kit, which included dyes and a white silk scarf. I was frankly, not really interested, so the box sat on the shelf. Eventually I pulled it out and tried a little something on scrap silk stretched on an embroidery frame. Whoa! I was hooked. This was meant to be!

With my art, my family, and my friends I enjoy an interesting and busy life. I live near Tomball, Texas with my husband Ralph, son Max, and Nessy, an Australian Shepherd. Until she heads off to graduate school, my daughter Claire and her Whippet, Rumble Girl will be adding to the mix. My son Isaac, who will soon graduate from Stanford University, thoroughly enjoys his role as the Stanford “Tree”. (I think it is one of those “you have to be there to really get it” things.) A truly unique and exciting group of people!

I will admit to other obsessions besides painting. Texas is a center of dog agility training and competition and I love taking part. This is also “horse country”. When I can, I ride a black and white pinto mare that belongs to a friend. This is “What’s Behind the Art”. I am a real person. Real people create wonderful things. I hope you enjoy visiting and that you find something special and inspiring for yourself.

Now that you know a bit more about me, why not take a look at my silk creations?