Hello my artist family!

I am so excited to introduce you to today’s featured artist, because her story is such a beautiful reminder that sometimes our most meaningful journeys begin in the most unexpected seasons. Let me introduce you to the incredibly inspiring Yolanda Helle from Ormond Beach, Florida.

Yolanda has always had art in her heart. From a young age, she found joy in arts and crafts and painting, but like many of us, life took her in other directions for a while. It wasn’t until COVID, when she had to close her hair salon, that painting truly stepped forward and became something deeper in her life.

And I have to say, there is something so powerful about that kind of turning point. What could have stayed a difficult chapter instead became the beginning of something creative and life-giving. That kind of resilience always inspires me.

Since then, Yolanda has fully embraced her artistic path. Her work has been featured in galleries, art shows, and even a group exhibition at a museum. That’s the kind of growth that comes from showing up, staying curious, and saying “yes” to the process.

She’s also been exploring palette knife painting through the Let’s Dabble classes, and hearing how much she’s enjoyed that journey truly means the world to me. She shared how encouraged and supported she’s felt, and that right there is what this artist family is all about.

When it comes to inspiration, Yolanda sees beauty in the world in such a heartfelt way. She’s drawn to the grace of flowers, the spirit of animals and birds, the way light moves across a landscape, the glow of a sunrise or sunset, the rhythm of the ocean, and even fleeting emotional moments between people.

What I love most is that she doesn’t just observe these things—she feels them deeply. And that emotional connection is exactly what makes her work so meaningful.

The painting she chose to share is especially powerful. It brings together a glowing sunrise, the movement of the ocean, and a deeply personal moment with her granddaughter. The silhouette of her granddaughter in a ballet pose against that radiant sky creates such a striking and emotional focal point.

You can almost hear the waves and feel the stillness of that shared moment. It’s one of those pieces that doesn’t just show you a scene—it invites you into a memory. And honestly, those are the kinds of paintings that stay with you.

Yolanda shared that what she loves about DabblePaints™ is “the beautiful colors, smooth consistency, and how easy they are to work with. They have great coverage, mix beautifully with other colors, and are non-toxic, which makes painting a joy. I also love the finish they give, and how using the gloss medium can add shine, enhance texture, and even help my paint last longer.”

Hearing that kind of experience never gets old for me. That ease, that joy, that confidence in your materials—it makes such a difference in the creative process.

What she enjoys most about painting is capturing moments of beauty and emotion—using light, color, and movement to tell a story. And in this piece especially, you can feel how those elements come together to preserve something deeply meaningful. It’s not just about what you see, it’s about what you feel.

When I asked Yolanda what advice she would give to someone just starting out, she shared something that I think every artist needs to hear:

“Paint for the joy of it—experiment, explore colors, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes, because every mistake is part of learning and growing. If you want to take your skills further, guidance through classes, with a teacher like Jen, can help you understand techniques, color and composition, and guide you towards your personal goals. Practice what you learn, embrace the process, and enjoy every step of your journey.”

There is so much wisdom in that. Growth doesn’t come from getting everything right—it comes from showing up, trying, learning, and continuing forward.

Yolanda, thank you for sharing your journey, your perspective, and your heart with all of us. Your story is such a beautiful example of what can happen when we choose to create, even in life’s most unexpected moments.

And to my artist family reading this—let this be your reminder that it’s never too late to begin, begin again, or go deeper into your creativity.

Keep creating, keep shining, and keep bringing more beauty into the world.

XO,
Jen