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In Memoriam: Helen Frankenthaler

by habituallychic

12 . 28 . 11
Helen Frankenthaler
December 12, 1928 – December 27, 2011
I was saddened to learn of the death of abstract expressionist artist Helen Frankenthaler today at the age of 83. She was born into a wealthy Upper East Side family and worked steadily as an artist for more than 50 years.  She was influenced by art critic Clement Greenberg, was married to another abstract painter Robert Motherwell, and studied with Hans Hoffmann but was certainly her own entity.  She will be greatly missed. 
“There are no rules. That is how art is born, how breakthroughs happen. Go against the rules or ignore the rules. That is what invention is about.” 
                                                                                                  – Helen Frankenthaler

15 Comments
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  1. Sarah O'Brien December 27, 2011 | 11:29 pm

    she is a top five favorite artist of mine, she created such beauitful masterpieces.

  2. bevy December 28, 2011 | 12:06 am

    amazing. I especially like the images of her creating art. very interesting.

  3. Al December 28, 2011 | 12:31 am

    Helen’s work was truly unique. She was such a huge talent, she will be missed. Very touching post, thanks.

  4. Jennifer C. Webb December 28, 2011 | 12:51 am

    great post, lovely memorial…an artist to admire

  5. lacoquettedumode December 28, 2011 | 2:52 am

    A beautiful artist, and beautiful art… she will be missed

    XX Kathryn
    http://lacoquettedumode.wordpress.com/

  6. Lost in Provence December 28, 2011 | 11:59 am

    Thank you for taking the time to put together this lovely tribute. Her work, although ephemeral will last and touch generations to come. I also really appreciated how articulate she always was about her process and on art in general–a generosity of spirit that resounds through her work.

  7. laughingsalmon December 28, 2011 | 2:27 pm

    Loved her work greatly…So amazing and energetic…Her late husband Robert Motherwell was one of my heros when I began as a young artist…

  8. MJH Design Arts December 28, 2011 | 4:03 pm

    “There are no rules”–a lesson I must listen to everyday. Thanks for the super post. She will be missed. Mary

  9. enclosuretakerefuge December 28, 2011 | 4:42 pm

    An inspiring post! Thanks so much.

  10. Claudia Juestel December 28, 2011 | 6:47 pm

    Helen Frankenthaler was an amazing artist and an amazing woman. Her passing is a huge loss to not only the art world. Thanks for this lovely retrospective.

    Cheers,

    Claudia

  11. Jan Weiss December 28, 2011 | 7:45 pm

    Thanks Heather for a beautiful tribute.

  12. dagmara December 29, 2011 | 4:11 pm

    What a pity that I’d never heard of her until she died. Will have to check out her life’s work.

  13. dottedyellowline December 30, 2011 | 12:29 pm

    Thank you for this. I’d just gone looking for her work, not knowing anything about her, and I found your post.

  14. The Entertaining Addict January 2, 2012 | 10:48 pm

    Yes! Making Goals make it happen! Bravo! Reminds me to continue. Thank you Heather! Happy New Year! Hope it is inspiring, healthy, productive and always entertaining!

  15. Ariane Reichardt January 5, 2012 | 4:34 pm

    Hello, dear Heather,
    thank you for your tribute of these fantastic artist.
    I hope its okay for you that I’ve linked your blog?

    Best,
    Ariane.