A.S. Helwig was born in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. From an early age she drew and painted. In fact, she has painted in acrylics since she was twelve years old when she painted in the coulee hills close to her family home. Helwig took a two-year commercial art program at Medicine Hat College and then a Bachelor of Education Degree (with Distinction) from the University of Lethbridge. Looking for adventure Helwig moved to Fox Lake, a remote native village in Northern Alberta. There she taught English and art while maintaining a studio in her home. 

Presently residing in Calgary, Helwig remains an art educator and studio artist. She teaches art to adults and children and gives workshops to adult groups. You might have even seen her teaching painting on Canvas, a show that aired for three seasons on Shaw TV’s Channel 10.

Her work is in many private and public art collections. Helwig attended the Banff Centre of Arts in self-directed residencies in 2005 and 2008.