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.
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 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!
In the Studio: Week 48
Sketchbook work and thinking time this week @helenalicejohnsonartist as I begin to explore in more detail my next series of paintings. I am interested in children's landscape painting, when they paint the sky and the ground, but then leave a space in between! Join me as I look at how I might use this in my large abstract paintings, as well as Islamic pattern and of course - fluorescent paint!
In the Studio: Week 46
Experimenting with materials - This week I have been experimenting with natural pigments, different canvas surfaces and single use plastics - all part of a thought process for my next series of large abstract paintings which will be on show in July 2024 at the Dennis Kilgallon Gallery.
In The Studio: Week 45
Following the successful launch of my Routes Into Nature exhibition at The Old Cinema, it's time to move onto thinking about my next series of paintings!
I have given myself the whole of November for thinking time, with no actual paintings being produced - although, that said, I have a commission to do, and will always be available for commissions if you want one! Get in touch if you do, I'd be delighted to paint something for you.
See here what I am up to - from making my own paints, to boiling up natural primers and creating Islamic eightfold patterns, there is something for everyone this week!
And don't forget to call into the The Old Cinema if you can - exhibition runs through November and December, and is also available to view online through my website
And don't forget to follow me on Instagram to be eligible for the weekly Free Giveaway.
In the Studio: Week 44
This week I have been at The Old Cinema in Chiswick for the preview evening and meet the artist event of my Routes Into Nature exhibition, where 27 of my abstract landscape paintings inspired by rivers are being exhibited.
Join me as I show you the show in The Old Cinema and chat to interested people about my work. The show is on for the whole of November and December, so if you can, please view it instore, or if not, it's available online either on my website at www.helenalicejohnsonartist.com or at www.theoldcinema.co.uk
In The Studio: Week 38
Having set myself such a gruelling schedule of around 27 abstract landscape paintings for my November exhibition at The Old Cinema, Chiswick, I have been working flat out again this week!
Routes Into Nature will feature paintings inspired by rivers across the UK and Northern France, and this one is inspired by the River Vee, in Bagnoles de L'Orne, which is close to my painting studio, just over the border from Pays de la Loire in Normandy. In this video see how I got to this point, as well as the development of the middle sized painting and my en plein air work for this week in the beautiful Saint Ceneri-le-Gerei.
I will be sending out invitations soon, but it would be lovely to see you in November if you can make it.
The preview evening for the exhibition will be on Thursday 2nd November so please save the date and come if you can. There will be refreshments available and I will be available to chat to about the work.
I will also be at The Old Cinema on Friday 3rd November to talk to you about the work and explain in more detail some of the thinking behind my paintings.
In The Studio: Week 37
My November art exhibition is getting closer and closer!
With this painting finished there is no time to put my feet up!
'Routes into Nature' is the name of my November exhibition being held at The Old Cinema in Chiswick, and this, along with all my large abstract river paintings will be there - which I am hoping will total around 27 contemporary paintings!
The preview evening for the exhibition will be on Thursday 2nd November so please save the date and come if you can. There will be refreshments available and I will be available to chat to about the work.
I will also be at The Old Cinema on Friday 3rd November to talk to you about the work and explain in more detail some of the thinking behind my abstract landscape paintings.
In The Studio: Week 36
Another busy week in my studio! I have finished two smaller abstract landscapes inspired by a visit to Richmond on Thames in London and started a large abstract with inspiration from an en plein air visit to Henley On Thames, where I sat by the river bank with a view of Temple Island and occasional rowers. I continue to work towards my solo exhibition in November of all my river paintings from 2023 at The Old Cinema in Chiswick. Watch here to see how I am getting on!
In The Studio: Week 35
Join me this week in my art studio in Northern France where I continue to work on my two smaller abstract landscape paintings based on a visit to Richmond On Thames in London, where I painted en plein air. Using a combination of fluorescent acrylics overlaid with oil paints, I use the relationship between people and nature to inspire my art work, and am focussing on river paintings for 2023.
In the Studio: Week 34
Join me this week as I show you the process I go through to start my large abstract landscape inspired by a visit to Richmond. Starting en plein air, I then take these studies back to my art studio, where I put paint onto canvas, having made more sketchbook studies and thought out some ideas as part of the creative process.
This painting, and others are part of my 2023 River series, which will be shown in my solo exhibition at The Old Cinema, Chiswick from 2nd November until the end of December.
In The Studio: Week 33
Another busy week in my Cumbrian Studio as I continue to prepare for an exhibition at The Old Cinema in Chiswick in November 2023.
I have finished a small and a large abstract landscape inspired by the River Stour, near Canterbury in Kent and am stretching new canvases ready for the next set of paintings this week. Join me here to see the progress.
In The Studio: Week 31
Join me this week as I embark on my busiest period yet! I now have confirmation of an exhibition in November of my large abstract paintings on the River series, at The Old Cinema, Chiswick. This means I am now flat out making paintings to be prepared for this solo art exhibition in West London. I am thrilled and frantic in equal measure!
In The Studio: Week 29
So much has been happening in my studio this week, and also out and about!
I have finished a large abstract painting, started a medium sized one - I've got one painting in an exhibition in Sheffield and another delivered to the AKA Gallery in Cambridge!
And to top all that, I have been long listed for the VAA Professional Artists Awards 2023, so a fantastic week all round! Watch here to see what a week in the life of an artist looks like!
In the Studio: Week 27
Following on from last week's visit to Sunbury on Thames I have begun the three paintings inspired by this visit. With a particular focus on the Middle Thames Yacht Club at Sunbury, these paintings are beginning to take shape. Watch here for a glimpse of how they develop.
In The Studio: Week 26
This week I travel to my French Studio and take in some en plein air painting by the side of the River Thames in Sunbury on Thames for inspiration for my large abstract river paintings.
Join me for a whistle stop tour of a week in the life of an abstract artist.
In The Studio: Week 24
Interested in how I make my abstract paintings?
Want to see more of the process?
Join me here for a busy week in my studio as I get cracking with my large abstract landscape inspired by Richmond Lock and Weir as well as starting a small abstract and a medium sized oil painting as well.
In The Studio: Week 23
This week I am in my studio, working on several paintings at one time, which is always my preference. From Rydal Mount to Richmond Lock, and from traditional landscape to abstract landscape, I am enjoying having the time to spend on painting, and thinking creatively all week!
In The Studio: Week 22
This week I have taken a bit of time out of making my large abstract oil paintings and I am out and about at the University of Cumbria Degree Show on the Brampton Road in Carlisle. From Graphic Design, to Photography and Fine Art, this show has something for everyone and is definitely worth a visit.
In The Studio: Week 21
This week is my Open Studio weekend, with preview evening and a sneaky look at some of my abstract oil paintings as well as more traditional watercolour studies. It would be great to see you here if you can make it - Saturday 27th to Monday 29th May - 10am to 3pm. CA9 3SL