Atlanta studio, 2023

eleni

I’m a proud Greek-American and my family heritage has fueled my creativity. Inspired by my mother’s skill with intricate embroidery, my Yia-Yia’s talents for making lace, and my grandmother’s love of American crafting, my passion is rooted in tradition with American style and boldness.

All I have ever wanted in life is to make people smile. Simply, to create joy.

As a developing artist, there were so many mediums I explored… painting, clay sculpture, photography, illustration, pen & ink, etc. But then, in a pivotal moment, I discovered felt. The bright colors and texture had so many possibilities that instantly filled me with joy.

Let’s get this straight, this isn’t your kindergartner’s felt. This is a high-quality wool/rayon and wool/viscose premium blended felt material with only three sources in the world. With 150 colors to choose from, it creates exciting limitations to what can be created, which is what I thrive on. I have only just started to scratch the surface of what I want to achieve with such an unassuming material. 

I was raised in Poughkeepsie, NY, and currently live in Atlanta, GA. My adorable son, inspirational mother, motivating boyfriend, supportive ex-husband, and super needy dog fills my life with joy.

CV

b. 1977

EDUCATION

1999, BS Marketing, UNC Greensboro, NC

1996, Studio Art, Dutchess Community College, NY

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2024 Off The Leash, Gallery 1988, Los Angeles, CA

2020 LAlocal, Gallery 1988, Los Angeles, CA

2018 30 Years Later, Gallery 1988, Los Angeles, CA

2018 O'Coen, Where Art Thou?, Spoke Art Gallery, New York, NY

2017 Crazy 4 Cult, Gallery 1988, Los Angeles, CA

2017 Focus Features A Group Art Exhibit, Gallery 1988, Los Angeles, CA

2017 BoJack Horseman A Hollywoo Art Event, Gallery 1988, Los Angeles, CA

2017 KING Stephen King Group Show, Gallery 1988, Los Angeles, CA

 

COMMISSIONS

2014 - 2019  178 Employee Portraits, individual felt doll portraits, MOO Inc., London, UK

2016 Dying to Know Music Video, felt doll star puppets and car interior, Tegan & Sara, Vancouver, Canada

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

"Meet Helen Linardakis," VoyageATL, February 26, 2020

Patrick Burgoyne, "Moo.com rewards employees by immortalising them in felt," Creative Review, December 9, 2016

Jordan Neal, "Conversations with Helen Greenstein," Plasma Magazine, October 26, 2016

Kristin Hohenadel, “This Company Gives Felt Dolls Modeled After Its Employees as a Loyalty Perk,” Slate, September 23, 2016

Linda Jerkins, "Southern-made stuff for the kid’s zone," Atlanta Journal-Constitution, February 27, 2014

"2013 Holiday Lookbook," American Craft Council, November 26, 2013

Danielle Maestretti, "Helen Greenstein’s Charismatic Felt Creations," American Craft Council, November 8, 2013

Gallery 1988, KING Group Show, 2017

Backstage with Tegn & Sara, 2016