It is true what they say about the light being special in those places, and on Cape Cod. The playful nature of water and light reflect objects appearance from moment to moment, the reflection of colors and the prismatic way an object’s shape changes as light bounces off a boat, a dune, a shack. Cape Cod is in one of those unique “light baths” all day long from sunrise to sunset.

He does not wish to confine himself to one type of art or medium. Each image he sees is captured first in a photograph, then he explores what medium, oil, acrylic, or watercolor is best suited to bring out the organic feeling. He loves the delicacy of watercolor, its transparence and lightness, even with solid objects or the petals of a flower. He loved oil’s richness, vibrancy, depth of color, and intensity. He particularly loves the sweet smell and feel of the oil as he works with the painting and the touch to the canvas.  He loves the vividness and sparkle of acrylic and the challenge of organizing and capturing an image quickly before the acrylic dries. And some images are best left as a photograph.

Mr. Helfen is a juried member of the Cape Cod Art Association both as a fine artist and as a photographer. He is a member of the Artisan’s Guild of Cape Cod and the Village Crafters. He is a board member of the Sandwich Cultural Council. He has studied oil painting technique with Eugene Sparks and Zoe Albino and in Portifino, Italy.

He has had several one man shows featuring more than fifty works, including shows  the Cultural Center of Cape Cod, Yarmouth, Mayflower Adult Community Center, and at the Sandwich Public Library. He does about ten art shows a year.

His work has been sold at Salt Meadow Gallery, and is now sold at My Sister’s Gallery, Color Obsessions, and at The Black Crow Gallery in East Sandwich as well as Paul’s Bean and Bagel in Sandwich Center.