BIOGRAPHY
Helene Levitan’s first professional job was as a department store illustrator for Famous Barr Department Store, a May Company store, in St. Louis, Missouri. She held this position for six years.

In 1975 she began doing Quick Portraits (quickly executed portraits in charcoal and conte crayon) at area arts and crafts shows including Cottonwood and Back to Grandma’s Attic. Nowadays she can be found doing them at special events. She also executes portrait commissions in pastel, pencil, oil and watercolor.

She has studied watercolor extensively, and she has won prizes for her paintings in this medium. Favorite subjects include animals, architecture and produce. One thing she particularly enjoys is converting a treasured family photo into a fresh, bright watercolor.

Her teaching experience includes five and one half years at Fun-Ed, a continuing education facility, where she taught watercolor, portraiture and a course based on the book “Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain”.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF WORK
Helene Levitan’s watercolors glow with warm, vibrant colors, whether the subject matter is a young child, produce, an antique photo or the family home. Her “Quick Portraits” are done in a matter of minutes in charcoal or conte crayon, and capture not only the likeness but the spirit of the subject.