Helen was born in Edinburgh and now lives in the Scottish Borders. She began painting in her early forties when she started a painting course at Leith School of Art. Over the next four years she continued at Leith where she developed her practice, experimenting and working with a variety of mediums and subject matters. She now attends the Paint-Box art school in Cockenzie. Helen paints both landscape and still life. Many of her paintings have included bottles, jars and mirrors using the light and reflection to bring shade and different angles into the subject. This year Cockenzie Harbour has also provided a focus for a body of work using collage, oil paint and pastels. Helen’s studio is at the top of her garden and she takes inspiration from the flowers and fruits in season which she includes into her still life compositions. She works predominately with oil paint. The inclusion of collage and oil pastel and graphite introduces an interesting dynamic.
