A non-figurative abstractionist, von Helms describes his paintings as dialogs between his inner self and a higher power.
Upon entering his studio, von Helms forgets everything but that which is before him and draws no references from anything but the canvases on which he paints. He surrenders himself to the journey for he says, "In the end it is not about attaining, but more about attempting.
In my attempt I come face to face with the old realities of myself, and then, through 'hard payment,' rearrange and reconfigure simultaneously my inner self and the two dimensional surface of the work in progress." Excerpt from "Painted Dialogue"
1960-1965 - BA Fine Art; BA Art History; Colorado College, Colorado Springs, Colorado
1966-1967 - Museum of Modern Art, New York City, New York
1967-1968 - Post Graduate, Art/Art History, Colorado College, Colorado Springs, Colorado
