A lush spring bouquet bursts forth with a bounty of beautiful, vibrant flowers in bloom in this mid century floral still-life by Helen Gapen Oehler (American, 1893-1979). Signed "Helen Gapen Oehler S.W.A" (Society of Western Artists) lower right. Displayed in a wood frame painted light peach with gold trim. Canvas size: 18"H x 14"W. Best known for her landscapes, seascapes, views of nature as well as paintings of scenes from global travel, Oehler is considered a progressive impressionist. She painted in the world, Midwest and eastern coast, some California. Helen Gapen Oehler was born in 1893 in Ottawa Illinois. She was bright and at an early began to paint. Helen Oehler attended and graduated from the University of Illinois in art and teaching and was in the Chi Omega sorority. She then went on to study at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago where she graduated with honors. She added further studies in New York, Provincetown, Cape Cod and with Jules Lefevre in Paris. She first met George Elmer Browne, artist and teacher and National Academician, at the School of the Chicago Art Institute and went on to work in his studios in New York and Provincetown, Massachusetts. She went and studied with George Elmer Browne in his studios in New York and Provincetown, Mass. Helen Gapen met Arnold Oehler in the late 1920's and they were married in Chicago in 1930. They moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where she had her first studio. Later they moved back to Chicago and she was an art teacher from 1942-1951 in the Chicago area. She and Arnold moved to Connecticut and the New Jersey area in the 1950's. She had a Connecticut studio and began to sell her art to patrons in Cape Cod, New York, Provincetown and New Jersey. During her years in New Jersey she became active in art society's and eventually became the Director of the Art Council of New Jersey. In the late 1950's, Helen Gapen Oehler moved to Mt. Tamalpais in Mill Valley, California, and became an active part of the Marin County art community and Audobon artists for approximately 15 years prior to retiring to her Carmel Studio 195 at Hacienda Carmel near the Monterey peninsula. Commentary from the Curator of the Artist Associates from her solo exhibition program of 1972: "The merit of Helen Gapen Oehler as a versatile and esteemed artist, for the past quarter century, has been continually honored by complimentary mention in the annals of authoritive reference including Who's Who of American Artists and mentioned in over 7 books of American impressionist painters of the early 19th century. Her paintings in oil can be identified by their decisive vigor in stroke and the fine understanding of full bodies color. It has been said by many artists that the works of Helen Gapen Oehler honor their subject matter with a rich glow that seems to emerge from the canvas, and one may perceive that this effect has been skillfully attained by a generous use of well understood media." Memberships and Exhibitions: American Artists Professional League American Watercolor Society Allied Artists of America Audubon Artists New Jersey Water Color Society Painters and Sculptor of New Jersey Ridgewood Art Association National League of American Penwomen Asbury Society of Fine Arts National Association of Women Artists Provincetown Art Association Artists Associates of America Mill Valley Artists Society of Western Artists Exhibition and Prizes: National Academy of Design, New York Salon D'Automne of Paris Salon des Artistes Francais, Paris. High Museum, Atlanta Georgia Art Institute of Dayton Ohio Findley Galleries, Chicago Contemporary Arts World's Fair 1945 World Fair, Prize for the Smithy series and Last Blacksmith in New England. Federation of Arts Traveling Show of Washington DC University of San Francisco De Young Museum of San Francisco Palace of Fine Arts of San Francisco Walter P. Chrysler Permanent Collection Anchorage Fine Arts Museum The Hall of Justice in San Francisco Carmel Valley Gallery