From My Studio in 2024
Join me each week as I seek inspiration for my large original oil paintings, and talk you through my studio work as to how I reach a final painting.
Getting ready for Open Studios
It’s been another busy week this week! No painting done at all - apart from Ian painting the walls! BUT, the gallery space is beginning to look amazing and paintings are being displayed ready for next week’s Open Studio Art sale. It would be fabulous to see you here. In the meantime, check out this video to see how we are changing our lounge into an art gallery!
We Are All Made Of Stars
We Are All Made Of Stars - Oil on canvas. I'm delighted to announce that the oil painting of Ullswater in the Lake District is complete and I think it’s absolutely breath-taking! The beautiful blend of pattern and landscape, which is neither abstract nor representational, creates a unique aesthetic. Stay tuned for more of such captivating work in the upcoming months!
Developing Ullswater
I'm absolutely thrilled with how this painting is shaping up! The way the pattern weaves through the earth and sky, connecting the spaces in between is simply captivating. It's a joy to see it come together.
I'm super excited to share with you that I've been pouring my heart into my latest large landscape painting, taking inspiration from the peaceful charm of Ullswater in The Lake District, Cumbria. It's been an amazing journey and it’s not over yet!
Back at the easel
I spend the week this week painting a complicated geometric, Islamic 8 pointed star pattern as an underpainting for my next large abstract landscape inspired by Ullswater in the Lake District. I explain why I do this and why it matters to me in this short video blog of my week as an artist
Easter in France - Week 13
Looking forward to a delightful Easter Weekend, aren't you? Don't be surprised by the deviation from my usual painting; I've been dabbling in a different kind of art! I took a break from the easel to create these beautiful, gilded hens eggs, a unique Easter gift for my friends that breaks the chocolate tradition.
Back to France - Week 12
I have been on the move again this week. Travelling from Alston to France, with a bit of shopping for paints along the way. I have been shopping for Acrylic paints to make abstract paintings and brought them back to my studio to try them out. Also, some great news - following the successful launch of the exhibition in London - EmpowerHer: Creativity, Courage and Magical Thinking, by CasildArt in London, the exhibition has been extended and now runs until the 7th April, so please visit if you can. 32, Connaught Street, London. W2 2AF
Out and About - Lake District to London - Week 11
What a whirlwind of a week I’ve had this week! With one painting finished, I’ve found time to visit art galleries and see other peoples amazing art work in person. I've been to Rheged in The Lake District, as well as The Gallery in The Hills, otherwise known as the Dennis Kilgallon Gallery. I have also travelled down to London to visit CasildArt Gallery in Connought Street, to see my painting Crossing Over, in an exhibition there as part of a celebration of the recent International Women's Day. The exhibition EmpowerHer: Creativity, Courage and Magical Thinking runs until 24th March. Please visit if you can. My painting ‘Oxygen’ is also there, in reserve.
Studio 24: IWD Week 10
As well as packing paintings and posting paintings, I have managed time to paint paintings too! In this short video blog I show you my week as an abstract landscape artist and share some of my thought processes as well as practical aspects of being an artist. I made the local news with my entry to CasildArt exhibition EmpowerHER: Creativity, Courage and Magical Thinking, and am hugely looking forward to sharing with you next week as I attend the preview evening and see all the other fabulous art work on show.
Paradise on the River Nent Week 9!
Working en plein air by the banks of the River Nent in Cumbria, an AONB I feel blessed to be an artist. My next large abstract/ slightly spiritual painting is well on the way this week and in this video I show you lots of preparatory work to get to this point. Watercolours, felt tip pens, oils and acrylics all feature this week in several sketchbooks as well as work on the easel. I have also been selected to be part of an exhibition at CasildArt in Marble Arch, London to celebrate International Women's Day IWD. To say I am thrilled would be an understatement!
Getting Sorted - Week 8
A very varied week this week. I have been out seeking landscape inspiration for my next painting along the beautiful River Nent in Cumbria as well as framing my large abstract painting called Somewhere In Between and smaller abstract paintings that are now finished, which are all looking fabulous in their Farrow and Ball Winbourne White frames! These smaller pieces are definitely Affordable Art, due to their size and would also make great gifts for an art lover. I have also been stretching canvases ready to start my next painting based on the River Nent and finishing off a couple of small experimental pieces, and experimenting with pattern as a structure to help with composition, also experimental, in readiness for this next painting.
A little bit of everything this week…
Another week of being out and about - delivering cards and visiting galleries - its been a full and fun packed week. And the medium sized abstract landscape painting inspired by the captivating church in Les Chapelles, Northern France, is now complete! I am truly delighted with this colourful, vibrant painting, boasting an appealing looser finish while maintaining its intricate pattern. The unique manner in which the church seems to emerge through the space in between is especially intriguing!
Out and About in Cumbria - Week 6
Back from France I have been straight into work, visiting locations across Cumbria where I sell work, as well as beginning to develop my two paintings currently on the easel. My journey through Cumbria has been an exhilarating mix of peace, learning, and spontaneous adventures. The fabulous Rydal Mount was as usual a real treat, while the Keswick Museum and Art Gallery served up a cultural feast. Handling the snow showers became an unexpected yet delightful challenge! Amidst this exciting mix, I've been able to enhance and evolve my two smaller paintings, first started in France, and now being perfected in the inspiring landscape of Cumbria.
Searching for Gold…Leaf! Week 5
This week I am on the hunt for more gold leaf for my paintings in Northern France. I visit several art shops including Burolike and La Tete dans Le Cadre, before eventually finding it at an old favourite of mine - Cultura in Laval. I have also been busy in my studio and have two new paintings well on the go, ready to take back to the UK this week to finish off and get framed up ready for sale. My fluorescent theme continues, and at the moment is providing a real vibrancy to the paintings, which I like, although I am influenced by the weather in my paintings and so a trip back to Cumbria might make them a little more subtle in colour - we'll have to wait and see!
The Church at Les Chapelles
Here is a little sneak peek of my upcoming artwork! This small abstract landscape in mixed media is still waiting for the perfect title. It draws its inspiration from the captivating l'eglise at Les Chapelles. It's currently in the sketchbook stage, but I can't wait to bring it to life on canvas! It follows on from the painting I have entered into the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition titled 'Somewhere In Between' and uses the same vibrant fluorescent colours as well as pattern merged with the landscape view.
‘Somewhere In Between’ Week 3 2024
I’ve finished my painting inspired by the Church of the Paraclete, Kirkhaugh, near Alston in Cumbria. I’ve also entered it for the Summer Exhibition at The Royal Academy of Arts, London - so fingers crossed!!
On the Move - Week 2 2024
This week I travel from my studio in Cumbria to my studio in Northern France, and take in some grandparenting along the way. I have discovered through the grandchildren the fabulous paint sticks and have now added them to my armoury of portable art materials for when I am on the move. Not only are they versatile, they are also very clean and easy when I am out and about. Being on Brittany Ferries from Portsmouth to Caen also gave me a fantastic opportunity to see the Spinnaker Tower as we left port, and this is something that will definitely feature in a future painting. I am hugely exited to continue with my abstract landscape painting inspired by a church in Kirkhaugh and hope to have it finished this week, now I am back in Les Chapelles.
The Church of the Holy Paraclete, Kirkhaugh
I explore the Church of the Paraclete at Kirkhaugh in Cumbria, the only church with that name and the only one with a 'Fleche' Spire, which translates to 'Arrow'. As I am interested in the piercing of the space in between earth and sky, this seemed a fantastic subject for my first abstract landscape painting of 2024. Using a fluorescent pattern to fill the space between top and bottom, I have then begun to paint over this using sketchbooks and photographs from the church as a starting point, in mainly greens and reds. Additionally, I have been preparing some Limited edition prints for Rydal Mount and Gardens, which re-opens on 8th February.
In The Studio: Week 51
This week has been yet another fantastic week as I travelled down to the AKA Contemporary Gallery in Cambridge for the preview of their Winter Exhibition where I have the painting 'View From The Tool Shed'
I have also spent the week preparing my canvas for painting my large abstract landscape inspired by the church in Kirkhaugh, Alston, and boy, am I excited!
I have used my Rabbit Skin Size for the first time and can't wait to apply the colours and pattern using natural materials wherever I can.
Can't wait to see the colours come to life on this baby!
AND, don't forget I still have work in a variety of exhibitions up and down the land - so please either call in store at AKA or The Old Cinema, or check out my work online at www.helenalicejohnsonartist.com
I am having a week off for Christmas, which will be the first week off making videos all year! This is week 51 and in week 52 I will be eating mince pies and enjoying family and friends - I hope you are able to do the same, and then I am hugely looking forward to sharing the journey of my next painting series with you in 2024.
In The Studio: Week 50
It has been a great week for meetings this week - I started off on Monday at the Dennis Kilgallon Gallery to check out the space - and WOW - what an amazing drive to get there - up high in the North Pennines, it really is a gallery like no other!
I have also been to Rydal Mount this week to collect my work and bring it home for the winter - they are closed over December and January and re-open on 9th February - where the tea shop will be stocked with my art work and prints ready for the new season, and of course fantastic coffee and lots of delicious home made cakes!
And don't forget the other exhibitions I have going on at the moment -
• The Old Cinema, Chiswick, London - November to December - Routes Into Nature
• AKA Contemporary Gallery, Cambridge - Winter Open - View From The Tool Shed - December 20th to 27th January 2024.
• Cista Arts - Immersed in Nature: An Artistic Exploration - December 2023
The launch event for AKA Contemporary Winter Open is on 20th December 6pm to 9pm. If you can make it, it would be fabulous to see you there.
In the Studio: Week 49
This week I travel back from France to my studio in Cumbria, and use the travelling time to think and plan some ideas for my next set of large abstract paintings which will be based on the North Pennines. I am having an exhibition in July at the Dennis Kilgallon Gallery and these paintings will be painted specifically for the exhibition. Of course, if anyone wants to buy one before the exhibition, that will be fine! I hope you like what I've been up to! Please subscribe to my channel if you do!