Shelly Perkins
Shelly Perkins
Harbour by Lorenzo Gavarini
Lorenzo Gavarini
Catherine Van Giap - fish panel
Catherine Van Giap
William Smith
William Smith
Jill Crowther
Jill Crowther

Helen Arthur

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Artwork for Helen Arthur

Where there once was a garden

Inky beacons: Crib-y-Garth and the thaw

Still dream of trees

Hay Bluff, midsummer morning

Light flows from their branches

River Wye diptych

Focus - barn owl

Still dream of trees II

Details

Telephone: 
07702 090559
How would you describe the work you do and why?: 

When a landscape becomes meaningful to you, it gets under your skin to create vivid memories. My paintings and prints capture that…

There’s a kind of wild light here on the edge of the Brecon Beacons – you see *all* the weather and the seasons feel extreme. This works on my creativity in an inescapable way. Some of the paintings are wild and gestural. Some more serene and lyrical. On the one hand, I'm drawn to these vistas and imposing mountain views; on the other, I love to etch the intimacy of enclosed woodlands, hedgerow spaces and abundant bird life.

In my dual practice, I search out both the wide space beyond as well as the narrow spaces between. Although my work is representative, it is first and foremost an expressive interpretation, so I'm always seeking to push the abstraction in what I do. My practice is rapidly evolving and often surprising. I'm intrigued as to where the continuing exploration will take me.

For you what does being an artist mean?: 

Being an artist... hmmm. I'd say you need a love of experimentation and a fearless approach. You need to let go of self criticism, or too much awareness of your audience, and patiently let the process and your responses guide you and give you satisfaction. There's the joy of exploring and mastering materials, but there's also the challenge of identifying and capturing your emotional connection to the world and what to say about it through art. The whys and wherefores are not the easiest to put into words, so let the colour, the marks and the paint / ink tell the story, I say.

Describe what you call yourself/your practice?: 

My special place is in the Brecon Beacons – you’ll find me in my stone-built home and studio in the remote Olchon Valley, under the shadow of Offa’s Dyke and Hatterall Hill. The Cat’s Back and Skirrid mountains bookend the ridge. If I'm not there, I'm in my garden or out among the hills with a messy sketchbook.

Though we're remote, I can guarantee once you get here, you won’t feel disappointed… This part of the world offers breathtaking views – essential to my art making. My cottage garden is a riot of colour in September too, so fingers crossed for some sun so you can relax out there during your visit.

My art practice is open and evolving. I take photographs, sketch (inside and out), and draw or paint in mixed media most days (obsessive, yes!) Ink and oil and cold wax are my favourite two mediums, although very different. A lot of work is created in sketchbooks and on paper; it's not for "sale" as it's is all about process, discovery, abstraction and knowledge gathering. When I work on larger "formal" pieces, I find myself gesturing towards the recognisable natural world, though it' s my mission for the art to become more abstracted as my practice evolves. My printwork – mostly a form of low-toxicity etching – focuses on the intimate spaces of hedgerows and coppices, or sometimes our British birds and insects.

My largest artwork to date is my garden makeover; I'd love to share this magical space with you.

Your practice & activities include e.g workshops, teaching: 

I offer tutoring workshops across Herefordshire and out of Ewyas Harold Craft Centre as well as my own studio. Please do contact me directly for information through my website and newsletter for updates. From time to time I take local landscape commissions. My practice is mainly self generated however, as this allows me to follow my own enquiries. I love to share my space with visitors though, and private viewings can be booked at any time.

CV & Education, relevant & leading to your artistic practice: 

CURATION

Following, successful application for Arts Council Funding, I co-curated the Mappa Marches touring exhibition, aiming to support up to 8 other artists in the marches region. We showed the mixed discipline work around the border counties for over a year, starting at HARC, Rotherwas, in January 2022 and finishing at The Sidney Nolan Trust, Presteigne in October 2022, with a post-tour show at The Courtyard, January and February 2024. We have also just had a small group show at The Art shop and Chapel, Abergavenny.

I'm currently represented full-time at The Courtyard, Hereford, and Bluestone Gallery, Hay on Wye. I will be showing at the Old Mayor's Parlour and Found Gallery, Brecon, in 2024.

TEACHING

Cowbridge Arts Society – mixed media demonstrations to a large group of practicing artists.

I tutor a monthly printmakers' club in Ewyas Harold (groups of 6), and have taught with the Sidney Nolan Trust. I'm also available to teach at venues of your choice and offer "Art Parties" and family workshops in my studio.

Exhibitions in the last 3 years: 

Found Gallery, Denbigh – from August 2024 onwards

Old Mayor's Parlour, Hereford, May to August 2024

Oriel Cric summer show: 2019, 2021, 2022, 2024

Mappa Marches - Sidney Nolan Trust; Art Shop, Abergavenny; and The Courtyard, Hereford

Royal Cambrian open, Conwy, North Wales – January 2024 & 2021

The Lake Gallery, Wirral, 2024

Tarpey Gallery, Derbyshire, 2024 & 2023

Made in the Marches, December 2022

Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair, London, November 2022

“The Perfect Hill” group show - Malvern October & November 2023, Ludlow Assembly Rooms (July to September 2022)

Court Cupboard Gallery – May to July 2022

Ironbridge Fine Arts 2021

Your gallery outlets/stockists: 

Bluestone Gallery, Hay on Wye

Ewyas Harold Craft Centre, Herefordshire

The Courtyard, Hereford

The Old Mayor's Parlour

Found Gallery, Brecon

Skirrid Gallery, Longtown

Ironbridge Fine Arts (linocut and etching prints)

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