Scotland

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I have lived and worked as a full time artist in the small village of Ratagan in the West Highlands of Scotland, near the Isle of Skye since 1988.

As a landscape artist I’m obsessed by the light.

The coruscating light on water or the reflected sunlight, mirrored on wet sand. 

I walk, climb and stay in places to absorb their atmosphere and unique qualities. 

I draw and paint outside where all of my senses come alive and hopefully give my work expression and life. I want the viewer to feel the emotion and wonder that I have experienced in that place and enjoy the raw beauty of nature.

The feeling of working outside in the elements is both challenging but vital to capturing the essence of a place. 

I use sketchbooks working very quickly usually using ink with perhaps a found feather or stick, to capture the mood and atmosphere of the landscape.

Or I work on a larger scale with inks, watercolours and soft pastels. These works are sometimes finished in situ or are used back in my studio to inform even larger works.

Often I return to the same place again and again as the light, the weather and the seasons alway offer something new to inspire me.

I worked solely in pastel for many years however recently I've been enjoying the freedom of mixed media.  I flood the paper with acrylic inks and watercolours, letting colours collide and mix. I feel that when you are not in complete control of a medium is when the magic can really happen.

Once dry I use soft pastel to bring out areas of detail, sometimes blending it on top the paint or using it to give detail and definition.

I like the contrast of having areas that are highly worked against areas of simple lines, marks or pools of colour. Often I spend time deciding what not to add to a painting, as opposed to what to add.

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Admirers of Helen's work have often commented on how the paintings make them feel transported to that place.

My work is sold in galleries throughout Scotland and online, selling to private collectors worldwide.

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AWARDS

Sir William Gillies Award 

presented at the 142nd Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour Annual Open Exhibition 2023

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TO PURCHASE A PAINTING

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If you would like to purchase a painting, please use the contact button at the top of the page or click on my email address at the bottom of the page. Thank you.

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STUDIO VISITS

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Helen's studio is in Ratagan  IV40 8HX   9 miles east of Eilean Donan Castle. 

Please use the Contact button (Top left of page)  or phone 07802 545243 to make an appointment.

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COMMISSIONS

Helen accepts commissions. Please contact her for details.

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