Helen McLean facts for kids

Helen McLean (born in 1927) is a talented Canadian artist and writer. She is especially known for her book called Details From a Larger Canvas.

About Helen McLean's Life

Helen McLean was born in Toronto, Ontario, in 1927. When she was a teenager in 1940, she started studying art. She learned from Dorothy Stevens at a special art class.

Helen went to the University of Toronto and earned a B.A. degree. Later, she earned an M.A. degree from the University of Calgary. She married Ross McLean and they had three children together. Helen McLean became an artist, a writer, an art critic, and a teacher.

Helen McLean's Books

Helen McLean has written two books about her own life. These are called Sketching from Memory: A Portrait of My Mother (published in 1994) and Details from a Larger Canvas (published in 2001). Her second book, Details from a Larger Canvas, talks about how she worked through challenges. It describes how she dealt with what she expected from herself. It also covers what her family or society expected from women.

McLean also wrote a novel in 1998 called Of all the Summers. This book tells the story of a woman named Rachel. It describes Rachel's experiences during different times in her life. Rachel is now in her middle years and is rediscovering who she is. The book beautifully remembers her past relationships and work.

In 2003, McLean's novel Significant Things was nominated for an award. It was short-listed for the 2004 Commonwealth Writers Prize Best Book Award. This award covers the Caribbean and Canada Region.

Helen McLean's Paintings

Helen McLean's paintings have been shown in many places across Canada. Her artworks are owned by private collectors and companies. For example, the Bank of Canada in Ottawa owns some of her paintings.

A special portrait she painted of Margaret Laurence can be seen in the Margaret Laurence Home. This home is located in Neepawa, Manitoba.