In true New Orleans fashion, only after we met artist Helen Kohnke did we realize we were connected on multiple levels. Helen's work (and, we might add, personal style) is effortlessly beautiful, full of reverence for the natural world and our place in it.
Inspired by her surrounding environment, she captures the beauty inherent in New Orleans’ entropy and decay. We’ve long been fans of her work, and were giddy when she invited us into her lovely apartment overlooking Magazine Street in New Orleans' Lower Garden District.
You were living in New York City for many years, but recently moved back to New Orleans, where you were born and raised. We’re so glad to have you back! What brought you home?
After college in Dallas, I moved to New York and lived there for seven and a half years. Initially, I worked for the artist Dorothea Rockburne, which was a great experience, then worked a few side jobs, and ended up getting my MFA from the New York Studio School in Greenwich Village. After school ended, my lease was up, and I had reconnected with someone from New Orleans who I had known — well, basically I found my partner. Both of our families were still in New Orleans so we decided to move back home. Now we’re engaged, and getting married in April. When we moved home, we found an apartment on Magazine Street in the Lower Garden District. It’s great because we have a balcony on Magazine, and space for my studio, and a courtyard in the back that has been my studio, my inspiration, and muse. We’re moving soon to the Bywater and doing some renovations. I’m sad to leave this place, but I’m soaking it up while I have it.
Is there a particular ethos or approach that you’re drawn to in your art? Has being in New Orleans impacted your work?
My work is about my surroundings and environment. For my MFA show, I did a series of the stairwell that led up to my attic work space. Now that I’m back in New Orleans, where I’m painting outside, I’m incorporating more natural elements and colors. I also collect found objects like old books and scraps of wood, and keep them around my studio. I like using different surfaces; I find they have a history and texture that adds an element of time to the work. I was also using a lot of black and contrasting colors in New York, and I’m using more earthy tones here. The courtyard I paint in has beautiful old brick, so I’m using those warm hues, soft pinks, oranges, purples, and obviously green. But being in New Orleans has definitely been a transition. I’ve had to be patient getting acclimated. My work is about acclimating to my space and noticing things around me. So New Orleans has been a great reminder to slow down, to have patience with the practice and with myself, and to not force things until the moment calls. New York is so busy, with pressure to go go go. But here, there’s a lighter, gentler feeling in the air.
Where are you finding joy and inspiration right now?
My courtyard. There’s a dilapidated brick house connected to the courtyard. The brick is basically the wall of my studio, or my easel, so it’s what I’m looking at when I’m painting — the decaying vines growing on the building, the broken windows and green shutters, and the light in the courtyard, which is always beautiful at different times of the day. It’s magical. It has a lot of character.
Do you have any mantras that you live by?
Do, don’t stew.If you think of something, do it. don’t overthink it. It applies to life and art. With the stresses and anxieties of life, you can sometimes spend more time and energy stewing on things. And in the studio, if I overthink something, I try to just do it and know that I’ll learn from it. You can always change it or do something new. And these days, it’s so easy to be on your phone all the time; you can spend your time looking at things and not actually doing things.
How would you describe your personal style? What do you keep in mind when adding to your personal wardrobe?
My personal style I would call timeless and unique. I try to be intentional about pieces I buy: will I appreciate this for a long time? Is it transitional? Is it good quality? I’m more on the simple side with my fashion, but I do like a playful flair here and there. I’m obsessed with Lekha’s fabrics and colors. You can just tell they’re handmade with love. I have a couple dresses, a couple tablecloths and blankets, and I love them. I always feel really great wearing them. The fabrics are delicately made, and the colors are so nice. I'm trying to get more color in my closet because in New York I just wore black — black boots, black t-shirt. Here, I’m dressing more colorfully, maybe even a little more playful.
Lastly, a rapid fire round:
Last book you read or are reading?
A catalog on the painter Lois Dodd.
Something you think is underrated?
Bird watching.
Go-to snack?
Cheese.
Dream dinner guest?
Joni Mitchell.
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