Helen Littlejohn

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Helen Littlejohn

• I paint stories that share the colors of my soul
  spirit with the universe.

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ARTIST STATEMENT

• My current artwork is the creation of a series
  of collages with imagery that centers on the
  African Diaspora, and includes a worldview of
  various cultures. A vital component of my work is
  the use of spiritual and religious icons from
  around the world and throughout history.
• Mitakuye Oyasin. We are all related. As an
  artist, writer, historian and collector of
  culture, I am constantly inspired by the amazing
  range of cultural expressions that are found
  throughout our world. Almost in contradiction
  however, are the equally amazing similarities
  cross culturally. Spiritual and religious
  iconography is resplendent in the art of all
  cultures.

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ARTIST STATEMENT(Continued)

• As we tell our collective stories, we insist on
  forging a deeper relationship between our gods
  and ourselves. It is my purpose as an artist to
  explore that relationship. This is what I want to
  give expression to--a visitation of things past,
  an intuitive exploration of our emotional
  immediacy and an introduction or nudging
  towards a limitlessly hopeful future. I believe
  strongly in the salvation of humankind and that
  artists are the intuitive guides and preservers
  of civilization. Although I work outside the
  home full-time in a fairly demanding job, my
  passion is art. It allows me to freely express
  what my heart feels. I have practiced my craft
  for a mere fifteen or so years, improving and
  exploring and loving every minute. I have learned
  to intuit my art through meditation?the listening
  of something greater than myself, yet within me
  to explore.

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Vitae-BIOGRAPHY-

• Helen Littlejohn is a local creator, self-taught
  African American artist and poet with a day job
  in public relations.
• Her ability to create art was uncovered only
  after life experiences and the blessing of
  motherhood allowed its expression.
• After traveling the world as a child of military
  parents, her family settled in Denver where she
  graduated Manual High School as valedictorian
  (1972) and attended the University of Denver on a
  Boettcher Scholarship (BA, 1976).
• It wasnt until the birth of her son, James, and
  his middle school art projects that she
  discovered an ability to create art that
  resonates from her soul.
• The art speaks to her her challenge has been to
  learn how to listen.

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Vitae-RESUME-

• Currently serving as an advisory board member on
  the University of Denvers School of Art and Art
  History with duties in public relations, special
  events and electronic outreach.
• Currently serving as marketing /public relations
  contact for the Sankofa Arts Collective, to
  include theme development, media relations and
  membership.
• Member of the Chicano Humanities Arts Council,
  also volunteer and fundraising donor.
• Art donations to the Ghana Fund, Friends of
  Opalanga, Very Special Arts, University of Denver
  School of Art and Art Historys fundraising
  organization, DU Art! and Project Angel Heart.
• Performed free-lance copy writing services for
  The Solis Group, an upscale advertising agency
  with major national clients, making
  recommendations regarding art and photography as
  well as theme and milieu.
• Provided volunteer support services for private
  arts organizations.
• Served as a docent and VIP reception hostess for
  the Denver Art Museum's presentation of Jacob
  Lawrence, greeting visitors, providing
  explanations and background information on
  artist.
• Presented a month-long art show at the Aurora
  History Museum for seven artists, arranging all
  of the protocol, reception planning, publicity
  and marketing for the event.
• Served as art coordinator for the Denver Black
  Arts Festival, assigning booths, providing
  information and assistance to visiting artists,
  coordinating artists booths with logistics of
  community and vendor booths.

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VITAE-RESUME-

• Served as a judge for art competitions for Denver
  Public Schools (two years) and the Congressional
  Art Competition (three years).
• Participated in a variety of local art shows,
  displaying original art, to include the Sankofa
  Arts Collective, Ulozi Art Center, the Chicano
  Humanities and Arts Council, The Denver Summit of
  the Eight Showcase, Denver Black Arts Festival,
  Colorado Institute of the Arts, Boulder County
  Safehouse at the University of Colorado, Genre,
  Pirate, the Aurora History Museum, Cleo Parker
  Robinson Dance Theater and the Aurora Chamber of
  Commerce Arts Showcase.
• Served as managing editor for the Urban Spectrum,
  a monthly news magazine for a diverse audience in
  metropolitan Denver.
• Also an open mic performance poet, self published
  one book of poetry. In the past a frequent
  performer at Brother Jeffs Cultural Center and
  Cafe as well as other open mic venues in the
  metro area. Two feature performances at the
  Tattered Cover Juneteenth Celebration. Also
  performed at the Iliff School of Theology and
  numerous art show openings.
• Member of the Colorado School Public Relations
  Association.
• Participated in a year-long voter registration
  effort for the 2004 election.
• Art work acquired by the Vance Kirkland Museum,
  Denver, 2004

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VITAE-RESUME SELECTED EXHIBITS-

• Paper Works Blair Caldwell Library 5/2006
• Children of the Sun Blair Caldwell Library
  4/2006
• The Color of Colorado Denver International
  Airport 4/2006
• Womens Work Blair Caldwell Library 3/2006
• Sankofa Live and in Color Back Do Studio
  3/2006
• Finding Common Ground CHAC 9/05
• Cornbread and Gumbo Blair Caldwell Library
  Gallery 7/2005
• 99Pieces of Art on the Wall VSA Gallery 4/2005
• By Her Hand Blair Caldwell Library Gallery
  3/2005
• Myths Icons CHAC 3/2005
• Egun A Celebration of Ancestors Blackberries
  2/2005
• Portrait of the Artist Blair Caldwell Library
  Gallery 1/2005
• She Made Blair Caldwell Library Gallery 3/2004
• Politically Incorrect Blair Caldwell Library
  Gallery 11/2004
• Art as Sound Blair Caldwell Library Gallery
  6/2004
• Children of the Sun Blair Caldwell Library
  Gallery 4/2004

• Puntos Cardinales The Four Directions CHAC
  8/2003
• HYPERLINK mail toHelen Littlejohn_at_LaTaza"Helen
  Littlejohn_at_ La Taza 6-7/2003 (one-woman show)
• Detado the Divine Dance of Oshun 5/2003
• Memories of the Heart Urban Spectrum one-woman
  show 4/2003
• CHAC 1992 invitational several member shows,
  2003, 2004, 2005
• Art Institute of Colorado Denver Public Schools
  Staff Alumni Show, 2002, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005
• City Park West Arts Festival 2002
• Erotica A Womans Thang 2000
• The Changing Face of Feminism--The Racial
  Politics of the Battered Womens Movement
  featured artist, art used for marketing graphics
  2000
• 2000 Colorado Open Studio artist, Colorado
  Council on the Arts
• Denver Black Arts Festival 1997-98
• Summit of the Eight Colorado Showcase 1997
• Down home An African American Art Experience
  curator and artist 1994

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Red Stool BluesCollage, 18x24, 2005
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Jobo SmokesCollage, 16x20, 2005
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Virgen de GuadalupeCollage, 16x20, 2005
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CreationCollage, 20x24, 2005
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NightlifeCollage, 16x20, 2005
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SevenCollage, 18x24, 2005
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Going PlacesCollage, 18x24, 2005
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LovebugCollage, 16x20, 2006
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Freedom 3Collage, 16x20, 2006
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Free Your MindCollage, 16x20, 2006
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Piano ManCollage, 16x20, 2006
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CONTACT INFORMATION

• Helen Littlejohn
• 2801 Fillmore St. Denver, CO 80205
• 303/394-5190
• okumaki_at_aol.com