A Workshop with Helene Anne Fortin
Wakefield • Quebec • Canada • June 13 2026 • 11-3 pm
“Creating is a very private way to touch not only inner peace but the core of who you are.” Helene Anne
You would be so welcome to come to this Workshop that stems from my love of Chinese brush painting, my newish fascination with acrylic inks and my adoration of the yummy colours and textures of pastels.
Are you like me: always overpainting… always overthinking — wanting perhaps to add just one more brush stroke or one more layer self-doubt. I am not certain why I do this but I am an expert.
In our goal to create something “great” we forget why we are doing something: to touch a deep part of ourselves, to play simply and innocently as a child, to forget the need to be “right” or “perfect.”
So this unusual Workshop hopes to help you do the opposite. To become more of your own self and create a wonderful mess and artwork at the same time.
Why I prefer small classes? Max 5. Because, for me, art is contemplative and every participant needs time to be, to ask questions, to explore their innermost self in a place of safety and quiet.
Each mark (or mess) should contain the energy of originality, forgiveness and spontaneity at the same time. Remember: The inks and pastels are just tools to teach us (or remind us) how to play.
The goals of the Workshop are simple:
To help you to elicit simplicity in abstract design.
To learn to play with new tools.
To connect with inner joy and peace while doing so.
The tools we will use: white paper, black ink and a touch of colour (acrylic inks and two types of pastels: pan pastels and regular pastels (not oil pastels — they won’t work with this medium) as well as one of my favourite apps, Notanizer. If you wish, you can download the Notanizer App prior to this workshop. It costs about $4 Cdn. I use mine on my iphone to test the power of my artwork. Don’t worry, I’ll show you how it works.
One final note about the Workshop. As a portrait photographer, artist and mentor, my studio is steeped in creativity. I believe it is critical for our mental and physical health. So part of the Workshop will be to explain how our brain fights to keep us non-creative and the importance of working with your other hand. Here’s my recent article entited: Creativity Sanctuary published in Energy Magazine.
What to bring
Your phone or ipad. A notebook & pen.
A snack as the Workshop lasts 4 hours.
An old towel that can get covered in inks. I bought one at the local thrift store. It’s a bath-towel size and cost me $2.
Three cheap natural hair brushes (see pic) – Not expensive brushes. Cheap ones. Shouldn’t cost more than $15. I am looking for small, medium and large brushes (like the 3 bears) as we will be working small then moving onto larger paintings. No precious clothes that day. I expect most of us will be covered with ink by the end of the 4 hours.
The Ritual of Tea and Stopping
Today’s world insists we be active all the time otherwise one questions our worth. Art-making or creative play, I believe, requires the opposite.
I will make tea — usually Golden Dragon Jasmine… A pot will be at our disposal the whole day. Why?
The ritual of stopping and sipping tea and looking at what you have created, is an important part of this work.
Where will the Workshop take place
In the gardens of my beautiful Wakefield Quebec Studio – 5 Burnside Road in the heart of the Village – 11-3 pm on Saturday, June 13, 2026. It is not allowed to rain that day (say I) — selfishly I am trying to keep ink off my hand-made carpets.
Workshop Cost: $100.
Small classes only: All levels welcome. This is about exploring YOUR creativity so levels do not matter.
Accommodation: My Airbnb suite at the back of the studio has a vacancy for that weekend. So I can help with accommodation should you wish to stay overnight in Wakefield. Here’s the Airbnb link: airbnb.ca/h/wakefieldartstudio
Further info:
Email: info@portraitsofyourlife.com • Tel: 819 459.2161
Testimonials from other workshop participants:
The Transformation Workshop was a lot of fun. I would do this again although I love what I have painted!
Your Workshops unlock my brain power.
Best investment on myself I could ever have.
I can’t thank you enough. I had a wonderful time!
I am completely new to art and struggle to let go. Helene Anne was great at getting me to loosen up. I got there in the end! Took a while but I truly enjoyed the process!
Helene Anne, you have a very unique and calming manner to approach painting techniques. Your studio is most inviting and inspirational — a sense of calmness reigns throughout. I completely enjoyed this session!
Thank you so much! Great info, guidance & inspiration.
Very appreciative of this opportunity and would love to experience another class. Wonderful environment!!
I appreciated the very confident and supportive style of teaching.
Merci beaucoup pour ce merveilleux moment!
I realize that the class is already four hours in and yet it doesn’t seem like enough time!
Such an inspiring and spacious day, thank you! So much more than I ever expected.
Loved that the workshop touched on so many different aspects of the art of painting. Learned a lot and got the inspiration I came for.
Thanks for providing such a lovely educational, unique and inspiring class. Amazing environment!
As before (this is my second workshop with Helene Anne), I really enjoyed the class. My only suggestion is to have a list of references or websites mentioned. (Note: Some are in the workbook but I will add others shortly — thank you for this important comment. Helene Anne)
Very much enjoyed the afternoon. The point was to ignite the spark I had as a child. I succeeded.
Creative environment and playful. The day opened new ideas and possibilities and calmed the spirit. Thank you!
Great class and group. Inspires me to continue.
Inspirational!
Love the spontaneity of communal art!
A workshop with Helene Anne Fortin
Wakefield Quebec
Septemer 14, 2025 & October 19, 2025
Helene Anne Fortin • kind mentor 