Helen is a multidisciplinary artist who creates uplifting upcycled and hand-crafted fashion/textiles, and mixed-media contemporary paintings.

Biography

I began my relationship with Visual Art and Textiles in my first job working in Window Display as a Stylist in Debenhams, Weymouth in the early 80’s. I enjoyed the freedom of creating windows and the theatrical elements of lighting and colour. Because of my ongoing connection with dance and theatre outside retail, I took up an opportunity to work overseas in Europe on a theatre contract which took me around Europe and the Caribbean for around thirteen years which was an experience I will cherish.

After settling down into a long-term theatre contract in Puerto Rico in 1984 I decided to launch my own freelance fashion brand art lab design. I enjoyed sourcing the vibrant fabrics of the island’s textile markets for my clothing and began creating my own unique hand-painted and printed textiles and bespoke fashions for private customers. I set up local fashion shows on the island to market my business.

After two and half years in San Juan Puerto Rico, and one year in Nassau Bahamas, I returned to the UK taking a position as Graphic Designer for Consumer Magazines. To develop my digital illustration technical skills, I joined a Landscape/Architecture and Urban Design practice in Bournemouth. During this period, I studied for a master’s degree part time, in Fine Art Painting at Winchester School of Art, graduating in 2005.

I began creating a range of fine art paintings and 3D art installations inspired by music, landscape and the natural world. It was around this time I became interested in the theories of synaesthesia, how sound can be experienced in colour, physical form or interpreted into performance. These new investigations inspired me to consider multi-media into my art installations integrating performance sculpture film and soundtracks.

I am fascinated by the element of chance in the design process both in my painting and textiles. I like experimenting how different mediums on a textured surface can create three-dimensional effects. The change of light throughout the day reveals and conceals areas of the mixed-media painting by creating a play of shadows and lit areas reminiscent of a changing landscape. The dye and paint process and build-up of layered textiles determines how the artwork will develop and its outcome.

I run my art practice from studio 9 at Fisherton Mill Gallery Studios in Salisbury where I create contemporary paintings, textiiles, and upcycled/bespoke fashion. Alongside my studio practice I teach Art and Design courses in Further Education, and art and craft workshops.