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About Me
Find the Perfect Gift at Carly Helgeson.com
Based in California, Carly crafts unique pieces of art made of paper-mâché.
As you may well know, paper-mâché is one part nostalgic, one part utilitarian. I was inspired during the October 2020 to make calaveras-like masks and hang them outside my front door to celebrate the Halloween season.
Like many of us during the early phase of the pandemic, I was retreating to a simpler practice and transporting myself to a less complicated time - 4th grade art!
Papier-mache is a simple process using recycled and non-toxic paints so I am free to experiment with and have a low impact on my environment.
I love what I'm making and feel lucky to be able to share it with others.
inspired by josef albers
inspired by josef albers
inspired by josef albers
inspired by pattern
inspired by josef albers
inspired by josef albers
in the studio
always bright colors
always bright colors
always bright colors
always bright colors
always bright colors
About the Art
On a Mission to Make Beautiful Things
My purpose is to make things and share the things that I make. It brings me joy and helps me find connection.
WHAT INSPIRES ME?
Nature - With all its shapes, colors and patterns.
Magazines - Contemporary and vintage - I have hundreds!
Classic movies (before 1980) - especially any movie that takes me to a far off place (in the world - I'm not a science fiction fanatic).
Folk art - especially in reference to my own heritage: Scandinavian, Filipino, Mexican.
Handmade artifacts - as a lifelong sewer I appreciate the steps in the process of making and the pride of creating something from almost nothing.
Clay Art/ Ceramics - I use to build large ceramic sculptures. And much like the clay, the papier-mâché feels heavenly slipping through my hands
What Is My Process?
My process is highly iterative; meditative.
Each piece I produce is unique, whimsical and inspired in the moment and a plan is rarely part of my game plan. I have a rough idea but know that it may undergo many paths before completion.
Practically, I have developed a few steps that help me make many items concurrently. Each piece may take anywhere from 20-60 hours to complete as drying layers of wet paper can be the most time consuming. I develop a shape, add pieces of cardboard here and there and then continue until I feel the weight and shape are to my liking.
The vessels dry for several weeks before sanding rough edges, prepping with a gesso base coat.
Then I begin painting.
Sometimes I'm inspired a color I saw someplace then I start making marks and build layers, sometimes I layer over and over again.
I may rework a piece several times.
Once it feels right I seal the object with acrylic gloss or the ever reliable ModPodge.