HelenVanWyk.Com

Helen Van Wyk was an influential American painter, author, and beloved art instructor whose career spanned over three decades, culminating in her acclaimed television series on PBS.

Born Helen Van Wyk on April 21, 1930, in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, she began painting at 11 years old and was painting seriously by age 12. Her formal art education included study with Ralph Entwistle and, most notably, the portrait painter and teacher Maximilian Aureal Rasko, who she studied with for 18 months. She was known for teaching in the style of the Rembrandt School of Painting, emphasizing core fundamentals like color theory, light, darkness, and good design. Her foundational principle was to teach the why behind every brushstroke, helping her students gain the confidence to paint any subject.

She began her career as an active art educator, starting to teach painting at 18 years old. In 1967, she created Palette Talk magazine and served as Editor for Grumbacher, Inc. She and her husband, the cartoonist Herb Rogoff, moved to Rockport, Massachusetts, in 1968, which became her primary residence and artistic base. The two became creative and life partners, traveling the U.S. together for years while Helen gave painting demonstrations.

In 1989 or 1990, Helen Van Wyk achieved national fame with the launch of her instructional PBS series, Welcome to my Studio. The show, whose last taping was in 1993, captivated viewers with its clear instruction and her trademark witty, no-nonsense manner—often stating, "Painting isn't fun! It's a battle!". She was often remembered for her sign-off:"...or...maybe I'll just teach you how to make soup." In 1992 she created the Alla Prima" magazine, named after the wet-on-wet painting technique.

Tragically, Helen was diagnosed with cancer and passed away in December 1994 at 64 years old. Despite her illness, she continued teaching; an attendee noted seeing her for a seminar in June of 1994. She believed the real secret to painting success was the years spent learning your craft and to always paint plausibly. Her legacy endures through her extensive bibliography and the reruns of her instructional videos.

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