Congratulations to artist Helen Violet, our latest ArtResin Winner! Based in Toronto, Canada, Helen is a sculptor who creates handmade, hyper-realistic pet sculptures using polymer clay, acrylic paint, and resin: "My goal is to capture not only the realistic details of each pet but also their essence and spirit, resulting in a unique and meaningful piece to honour our loved ones."
Does where you're from or where you currently live influence your work?
Definitely! I live in Toronto, Canada, which has a huge dog loving community. Being surrounded by people who love their pets like family has influenced my work by keeping me inspired. I love walking through nearby dog parks, watching dogs interact with their owners and each other! The bond between humans and animals is so beautiful and can be so deep. Some people might say, “they’re just animals,” but those who’ve experienced that kind of love know how special it really is. I see it every day in my community, and it always inspires me!
What's your art background? Are you self-taught or did you study art?
In sculpture, I’m self-taught. I studied Fine Art at York University, where my focus was graphite drawing - my first love! I always admired sculpture, but I thought it was beyond me. I didn’t try sculpting until after university, when I made my first dog sculpture in 2016 as a gift for my husband of his late Labrador, Lucy. I had no idea that it would lead to creating these sculptures for clients around the world!
Are you a full-time artist or do you create around work hours?
I’m a full-time artist. It’s taken time and commitment to make it sustainable, but I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.
What do you love about the mediums that you use in your work?
Polymer clay lets me bring an animal’s personality to life through touch, which makes the process super intimate! I love that it holds fine detail while staying workable until I feel it's finished. Even after curing, I can carve or add more clay to make adjustments, which is perfect for a perfectionist like me! I find it so cool that a block of clay can turn it into something meaningful that my clients can 'pet', hold, and cherish.
Resin, on the other hand, allows me to bring these pieces to life. It’s that final glossy layer of resin on the eyes that adds soul and completes them. Without it, my sculptures would lack that life-like quality.
How did you discover resin?
I discovered resin a couple years into sculpting. I originally used a glossy varnish on the eyes, but I noticed that the shine would fade or tint yellow or blue over time, and that just wasn’t acceptable. I needed to find a material that I could trust to stay glossy and clear long-term, and that’s when I discovered resin.
How has resin impacted your artwork?
In a huge way! I can’t finish my sculptures without resin. For many of my clients, and especially for those who’ve lost their pets, the eyes are the most important part of the sculpture. I never want them to see the twinkle in their eyes fade again. These pieces are extremely personal representations of a loved one, and resin makes sure those adorable eyes shine for a lifetime and more.
Can you provide a brief rundown of your process?
Each sculpture begins with studying the dog’s photos and personality. I always ask my clients to share their pet’s story, so I can understand their love, connection, and personality, and pour that into the sculpture. I start with a wire armature. From there, I build the basic form in polymer clay. Once I feel the proportions are correct, I start the longest process: the details! I make sure to capture every detail that makes each pet unique, from every angle. Once it’s cured, I carefully paint the sculpture using professional quality acrylic paint. Then, last but surely not least, I add resin to the eyes, and sometimes the nose, lips, and name tag, for that final touch of realism and aliveness.
Why do you want to make art? What motivates you to create?
Art has been my passion for as long as I can remember. In Grade 1, when we were asked what we wanted to be when we grew up, I said “artist.” I know a lot of kids say that because art is fun, but for me, that feeling never went away. Even when others told me it wasn’t a realistic career, nothing else ever made sense.
It might sound silly, but it's just in my blood. When I’m not creating, I feel like something’s missing.
I’ve also loved dogs since I was little, so combining the two just made sense! I’m constantly inspired by my clients’ stories, the unique personalities of their pets, and the deep bonds they share.
Does art help you in other areas of your life?
Absolutely. Creativity is a daily part of my life. Outside of sculpture, I love trying new things such as crochet, mold making (with resin, of course), and sketching ideas I hope to turn into sculptures one day. Creating and exploring other artists' work keeps me grounded and happy.
What do you hope someone sees or feels when they look at your art?
Love and connection. I want people to feel their dog’s presence in their sculpture, not just recognize the likeness. I hope for each piece to express each unique spirit, so that when someone looks into those glossy eyes, they feel warmth, comfort, and the loving bond they once shared.
How do you define success as an artist? What does that look and feel like for you?
To me, success as an artist means learning to get out of your own way. Pushing past fear, perfectionism, and allowing yourself to create freely. It sounds simple, but it’s not! I struggle with it all of the time. With social media pressure, financial realities, and self-doubt, it can be hard to be vulnerable enough to create.What's your favorite resin tip you'd like to share with our readers?
Mix, measure, and apply carefully. There’s nothing worse than a bubble or speck of dust ruining that sparkle! For my sculptures, I like to work in thin layers. Sometimes just one is enough, sometimes two, but a thick layer from the start can cure unevenly on a round surface.
Where do you sell your work?
I sell my sculptures through my website (www.helenvioletart.com), and I ship worldwide!
Congratulations on your win, Helen!
To see more of Helen's work:
Visit her website: helenvioletart.com
Follow her on Instagram: @hvioletart
Every month, to celebrate our community of artists, ArtResin will send out a 32 oz kit to two lucky people who have shared the work they've created with ArtResin.
ArtResin: The Original Epoxy for Resin Art.
