Helle Urban earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA. She has been an artist/illustrator for 40 years. Over the years Helle has managed/worked several Fine Art galleries. She also worked as a background artist in the animation industry, and then moved on to work in-house for a children's book publisher illustrating books.

Over the last 15 years, Helle has freelanced illustrating children's books for Sleeping Bear Press. Along with being an illustrator she has also painted numerous murals and painted portraits. She specializes in painting children and animals and likes to portray subjects in a relaxed and casual pose. Helle conveys her subjects through careful design, harmony of color, and spontaneity of expression, emphasizing a softness in brushwork to create a strikingly life-like portrait. An eloquent portrayal of subjects' eyes is very important to her. Helle also enjoys teaching children and adults the joy of art. Her students learn, develop critical skills, and have fun when provided the opportunity for creative artistic expression. As an artist, Helle is always exploring new challenges for creative growth. Capturing the personality and character of the persons she is painting is essential in portraying the mood and expression within their natural surrounding. Each painting holds new experiences and challenges. Her newest adventure is doing Plein Air painting. She loves nature and the outdoors. Being able to paint from life is very exhilarating! Networking with other artists is amazing. I have joined the California Art Club and I look forward to new experiences that lie ahead!

The latest chapter of my career is the amazing collaboration with Helle Brisson for the creation of the Rasmoose the Moose (TM) illustrated children's book series.