My dear friend Hela Norman recently celebrated her 80th birthday surrounded by friends at her Half Moon Bay home. Hela is the wife of the brilliant surrealist painter Irving Norman, who passed away in 1989. She has been doing an amazing job promoting her husband’s legacy through museum shows and a recently published book of his work. Here are some photos I shot at her birthday party and of her beautiful gardens that surround her home. Happy Birthday Hela!
Related Posts:
- Circus Redickuless Celebrates Dammit’s 18th Birthday
- Flickr Celebrates 4th Birthday
- Irving Norman at the Pasadena Museum of California Art
- Irving Norman Retrospective at the Crocker Art Museum
- Irving Norman at the Katzen Arts Center in Washington DC

















{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
7/18
Scott,E
Just saw the pictures. Sorry I didn’t get the chance to meet you at the party. Earlier that morning I interviewed one of Hela’s guests for a DVD project I’ve started and had to leave the party early to return the HD camera (part of the agreement to use the camera). By the time I returned, the party was about to break up.
I know Hela is and will always be grateful for your support.
Ray Day
Yeah, I thought I might run into you there. Maybe next time.
Hi Scott, Great of you to do this. I didn’t even see you I was so busy doing the food!
regards,
Susan
Lovely photos Scott. Thanks for sharing them.
A fantastic party. Hela really understands time and friends. She has maintained her wonderful friendship with everyone, from the looks of the party. How many friends can you have?
Hela has been an example of how to live an inspired life. She has worked really hard to bring Irving Norman’s work into the open, and has crossed a threshhold with the Irving Norman travelling exhibition and “Dark Metropolis”, with the help of her friends, all of whom really care about her.