From My Studio: Exploring Helen Alice Johnson’s Creative Process
Each week, Helen Alice Johnson takes inspiration from the natural world that surrounds her in Alston, Cumbria. Her paintings reflect the landscapes, gardens, and changing seasons, offering viewers a glimpse into the beauty of nature. In this blog, Helen shares the moments that spark her creativity, from a walk in the countryside to the sight of a flower blooming in her garden.
The Artistic Influence of Beatriz Milhazes on Helen Alice Johnson
Beatriz Milhazes is a Brazilian artist with an exhibition on currently at Tate St Ives (until September 2024). I am particularly drawn to her paintings because of the similarities I see in my own work. Milhazes' studio is in Rio de Janeiro and as such she is influenced by the landscape around her and the botanical gardens of Rio de Janeiro.
Southampton City Art Gallery - and back in France
From Southampton City Art Gallery to my studio in Northern France, I have had time to think about my next online art workshop on painting a landscape en plein air in your sketchbook as well as time to get back to the easel and paint my latest large commission garden painting. If you want to join my online workshop, go to my shop and then Workshops. You can only access the Art Workshops once you have purchased through the shop. The summary is available on YouTube under my channel helenalicejohnsonartist.
Open Studio Special - August Bank Holiday
Open Art Studio in Alston this Bank holiday weekend. I am opening the doors to The Old Police Station to show a range of large abstract landscapes as well as small original art works and limited edition art prints too. Some of my most popular paintings are now prints so this is not to be missed if you can make it.
Online Workshop
This video shows my week as an artist in my studio in Cumbria, carrying out a painting commission of a garden, playing with glitter with the grandchildren and preparing for my first every sketch book workshop online. I also talk about my Open Studio Event next weekend 24th 25th and 26th August in Alston Cumbria.
Open Studio coming soon
We will be opening the doors again to The Old Police Station on Saturday 24th, Sunday 25th and Monday 26th August to show you an exhibition of smaller works from 2019 to my most recent works. There will be huge offers and discounts for subscribers to my mailing list so please don’t miss it, as well as this painting being on sale and show for the first time.
Breezy Stillness
This week I finish my seascape of Dunstanburgh Castle on the North East Coast, prepare for a commission and frame some high quality giclee prints for Rydal Mount and Gardens, and the Dennis Kilgallon Gallery.
Out and about across the UK
This video shows me out and about gathering information and sketchbook work for future paintings. I visit several locations, and make preparatory studies in my sketchbook en plein air. Looking at colour shape and form, I use the work done in the open air to inform my final original oil paintings with a geometric pattern underpainting. From a lake in Lincoln, to a Sculpture exhibition in Doddington Hall, from a meadow in Oxfordshire to a garden in Solihull - I might not have been in the studio but I still managed lots of time to paint outdoors. I have also added a gift card option to my website, so if you don't already subscribe to my mailing list - hop over there now https//www.helenalicejohnsonartist.com and take advantage of a 10% discount this week in celebration of my new gift cards and updated website courtesy of Kalkidan Legesse at https://www.kalkidanlegesse.com
Out and about the North East Coast
Pattern in my oil paintings has always been important and the use of the golden section as well as geometric design is shown in all three of my hand stretched canvases this week. I also try to paint en plein air for the starting point of all my art work and spent time this week at the North East coastline near Dunstanburgh Castle in readiness for my next painting. And finally, I have been painting a small watercolour of a gosling for my grandson.
Preview Part Two!
This week I show you how I also have giclee prints of all my paintings and how I mount them, as well as hand finish them with gold leaf. I have also started another painting for a commission of a garden and have been getting out and about to see my exhibition in the hills. Having been out shone by the England football team last week, I am having a re run of my preview at the exhibition and will be there from 2pm to 5pm to meet visitors to the gallery. NE47 8JP