About
Helen holds a BA (Hons) in Visual Art and Art History and an MA in Contemporary Fine Art Practice. Her work has gained international recognition, including selection as a winner of the VAA Art International 100, a programme celebrating emerging and established artists from around the world. She was also shortlisted for the VAA UK and International Scholarship Award in 2022 and has twice been featured by Saatchi Art as both Curator’s Choice and within curated artist selections. Dividing her time between Alston in the North Pennines and the Pays de la Loire, Helen’s practice is shaped by a strong connection to landscape and a dual sense of place. Working primarily in painting, she creates vibrant and celebratory works that explore the relationship between people and the natural world. Recent paintings place a greater emphasis on geometry and pattern, long-standing elements within her practice that now play a central role in the composition. Through layered colour, structure and abstraction, Helen investigates a space that exists between the physical and the spiritual, inviting contemplation of nature, perception and our connection to the environments we inhabit.
Her educational career included collaborative works in Tate Modern working with Oxford University and the Charity The Art Room as well as developing an Arts Centre in Uganda.
Awards and Exhibitions
Helen Alice Johnson’s art has been showcased in galleries and exhibitions across the UK. Her work has been featured in prestigious venues, and she has been shortlisted for several awards. Below is a sample of her most recent exhibitions and achievements:
Pensychnant’s Open Exhibition, Conwy 2026
Winner of the VAA International Art 100 2025
Seasons of Change Exhibition - Khaw Gallery, Daku, London (2025)
Percy House Gallery, Cockermouth, Cumbria (2025)
Small and Beautiful exhibition - Gallery North West, Brampton, Cumbria (2025)
EVAN (Eden Valley Artistic Network) - Penrith, Cumbria (2025)
Curators Choice, Saatchi Art Online (2022)
VAA International Exhibition and Scholarship shortlist (2022)
Redlees Open Studios, Isleworth, London (2022)
Brush and Lens Exhibition, Alston, Cumbria (2021)
Seasons, The Artist Lounge, Stratford upon Avon (2021)
Pop-up Exhibition, Lowther Castle (2020)
Living with Trees, Fitz Gallery, Keswick Museum (2019)
Helen’s work has consistently impressed art professionals, curators, and collectors alike, earning her a reputation for excellence in painting.
Art Education and Teaching Background
Before becoming a full-time artist, Helen enjoyed a successful career as a headteacher, after beginning her educational career teaching art to secondary and primary students across schools in Oxford, Kent and the North of England. She holds an MA in Contemporary Fine Art Practice from Leeds Metropolitan University, and a PGCE in Art and Design from the renowned Bretton Hall, the creative arm of the University of Leeds. Her extensive teaching experience allows her to break down complex artistic techniques and make them accessible to artists of all levels.
Helen continues to teach through her online art classes and workshops, helping students explore their creativity and develop their skills in painting and drawing and capturing the beauty of nature.
Community Art and Residencies
Helen’s work also extends into community art, where she has participated in several residencies and collaborative art projects. Her most recent project, A Glint of Sunshine, involved carving and gilding stones placed in the landscape of Cumbria, celebrating the Spring Equinox and the connection between people and the natural environment.
Helen’s community work reflects her belief in the power of art to bring people together and foster a deeper appreciation for the world around us.