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 Fortin
I so welcome you…
To this Workshop that stems from my love of Chinese brush painting, my newish fascination with acrylic inks and the yummy colours and textures created by pastels. (Not to mention the fact that I love to teach.)
Are you like me: always overpainting…overthinking…perhaps wanting to add just one more brush stroke and one more layer of self-doubt? I am not certain why I do this but realize I am an expert.
In our need to create something “great” we forget why we are doing it: 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 gentle Workshop hopes to help you do the opposite: to deepen the connection to your own self. And to create a wonderful mess and artwork at the same time.
Why do 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.
Goals of the Workshop…
- 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…
The tools we will use: white paper, black ink, wildly vivid acrylic inks and two types of pastels: pan pastels and regular pastels 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’ve installed mine on my iphone to test the power of my artwork. Don’t worry, I’ll show you how it works. I will supply the inks, paper and pastels.
One final note about the Workshop. As a portrait photographer, artist and mentor, my studio is steeped in creativity. I believe that being creative 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 therefore the importance of working with your non-dominant hand.
If you wish to get an insight into my creativity obsession, here’s a link to my recent article: Creativity Sanctuary published in Energy Magazine. I’ve been a contributing writer to this magazine for years.
What to Bring…
Your phone or ipad.
A notebook and pen.
A snack as the Workshop lasts 4 hours.
An old towel that can get covered in inks. I bought one from Rupert Treasures (our local thrift store). I spent $2 for a great bathtowel.
Three large plastic tubs (like large yogurt containers) – see pic (for water and inks) if easily available.
Cheap Brushes Only…
Three cheap natural hair brushes (see pic) I repeat: 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, please. I expect most of us will be covered with ink by the end of the Workshop.
The Ritual of Tea & the Art of Contemplation…
Today’s world insists we be active all the time otherwise someone questions our worth. Art-making or creative play, I believe, requires the opposite: a time for contemplation.
The ritual of stopping and sipping tea and looking at what you have created, is an important part of this process.
So step back. Sip tea in small cups. To really contemplate what you have created. If you are lucky, perhaps, you will be “told” what to do next.
Of course there will be tea “on the boil” all day — usually Golden Dragon Jasmine or my latest favourite: a Peach Oolong.
Where is the Workshop Being Held?
Where? In the gardens…
Of Helene Anne Fortin’s 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.
Cost • Levels • Accommodation
Workshop Cost: $100.
All levels welcome. This is about exploring YOUR creativity.
Accommodation: Right now, my Airbnb suite (at the back of the studio) has a vacancy for that weekend. If you wish to stay overnight in Wakefield, here’s the Airbnb link: airbnb.ca/h/wakefieldartstudio
Questions?
Email: info@portraitsofyourlife.com • Tel: 819 459.2161
Testimonials from Previous 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.
- I can’t thank you enough. I had a wonderful time!
- Best investment in myself I could ever have made.
- 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!
- Love the spontaneity of communal art!
- Inspirational!
- Great class and group. Inspires me to continue.
About Helene Anne…
This Kanji simply means Wisdom.
Helene Anne Fortin • kind mentor 