Meet Helen Westerman | Designer + Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Helen Westerman and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Helen, why did you pursue a creative career?
Looking back, I’m not sure I ever had a choice. Some people say that nothing defines an artist besides the urge to create, and I find that very true in my experience. It’s a need; an insatiable urge to make, translate and connect things that words can’t touch. It’s difficult, invigorating, confusing, deeply satisfying and it consumes me. It’s freedom and a cage all at once. There are days I adore it and days I hate it but mostly it is just my way of living and adapting to change. I am never satisfied and deeply self critical. At the same time I find joy in making anything at all and have learned to push past that critic’s voice in my head. All of life is an act of creation to me. I think it is one of the greatest human phenomena, to persist in making something beautiful out of our often challenging experiences.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve spent most of the year as an architectural designer, recently transitioning back into freelance visualization. What I’ve learned the most professionally this year is the importance of surrounding myself with people who inspire me to learn and grow. I’ve gone in and out of some hostile working environments and it can really take you off guard. I’ve learned that I have the right to expect a certain level of decorum in my work and life regardless of how far along I am in my career, to use my voice when it matters, and to reserve the right to walk away from any situation that is not mutually respectful. I think the most important muscle to develop in business is a sense of self worth. Most people, female presenting especially, aren’t taught to practice self worth as a professional skill. I see a lot of people my age remaining in situations which aren’t serving them and feeling as if they have no power. This seems to be a right of passage but as the young and incoming generation, it is imperative to me we set the next standard. In architecture as a profession, there is a lot of this, “I suffered while I was young in the industry so you must too,” and it is pushing away a lot of talented, young architects.
My most challenging creative endeavor currently is, how do I create a sustainable career in an overworked and underpaid profession? While I’m uncovering the answers, like the depths of most acts of creation, the solution comes in and out of focus several times over before it sticks. Currently, I’ve broken away from firm life to freelance as an architectural visualist for the ability to set my own hours, pay, and work standards. I’m happy to take on the responsibility of finding my own work right now for the ability to play with developing the best workflow and practice.
Alongside my work on self worth I’ve been organically developing a series of self portraits in charcoal and oil. Earlier this year I decided that every time I have a bad body image day or disassociate, I would make something beautiful from my body to try and ground me in my physical experience. I started with small sketches from photos and the overwhelming change in my sense of self has been amazing. The portraits have gotten bigger and looser and have influenced all of my other artwork. I have had such a hard time seeing my body at all, let alone in any sort of positive light. This process has broken down barriers within myself I didn’t know were there. That is what I find most amazing about making art. It is always entangled with self exploration.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Let’s see, if it was their first time visiting the area we would have to start with coffee and books at Trident Cafe, then go die of cardio on the flatirons or sanitas staircases, and polar plunge in the creek after. Without fail, we would run away into the mountains for a week of camping in Rocky or skiing at Copper. Maybe a visit to Ned or Gold Hill for food and music. We would definitely need to go dance at Red Rocks and grab noodles from Zoe Ma Ma’s before they leave. There’s really too many things to list. You can turn around pretty much any corner and find something interesting to do with some cool people out here. I adore living in this area.
Is there a person, group, organization, book, etc. that deserves a little credit and recognition in your story?
There have been many many times I did not think I would make it in my career and my life. I think everyone finds themselves there at some point and absolutely no one gets through it alone. I’ve had the privilege of knowing and being held by some amazing people. I am especially grateful for the women in my life, my mother, my sister, my soul sisters. Sisterhood is one of the greatest privileges of being a woman and I would not be here without any of them. My mother, who has without fail come to my rescue when I’ve needed her most; my sweet sister, who has supported and pushed me to think bigger than what I know; Nell, Mia, Liv, whether it’s a good laugh, a big cry, or a giant bottle of tequila, these women are always there and it’s never lost on me how lucky I am. There are countless people who have taken me in and supported me when they didn’t need to and others who have come and gone. I’m eternally grateful to everyone I’ve had the privilege of meeting along the way so far. I have learned so much from each of them.
Website: https://www.helenwest.co
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/__helenwest/