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 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 47
This week I have been busy with a secret commission so am unable to share that with you, but instead I have a treat instore as I show you around the area and talk through some thoughts about my next series of large abstract oil paintings based on Spaces Between. I am interested in the relationship between people and nature and how we seek power from that Space In between. I have always been fascinated by children's paintings of landscapes, and how they paint a sky and the earth and then how they leave a big vast space in-between! What do the children know that we don't?!!
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 43
I have now finished all 27 of my abstract landscape oil paintings inspired by rivers both in the UK and Northern France. Join me here as I wrap and pack them all ready for a major exhibition in London at The Old Cinema in Chiswick.
I have also been experimenting with homemade pigments and show you my method, as I begin to think about a more sustainable option for my next set of paintings.
In The Studio: Week 42
This week I am so close to finishing my abstract oil paintings of my River series, where I have visited and responded to rivers across the UK and Northern France, with a focus on the river Thames and the river Seine. All original paintings are for sale and are three sizes - small, medium and large. All sizes follow the Golden Ratio, used by artists throughout time, including modern art and abstract art.
If you can - please come to see me on Thursday 2nd November from 5pm to 8pm at The Old Cinema, 160 Chiswick High Road, Chiswick. W4 1PR. My paintings will be shown with antique and vintage furniture so you can really visualise these contemporary artworks in a room.
If you can't make the Thursday evening, I will also be at The Old Cinema on Friday 3rd from 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 4pm, where I will be talking to customers about my work on show.
In The Studio: Week 41
Less than 3 weeks to go before my exhibition of my abstract landscape river paintings of 2023, at The Old Cinema in Chiswick, London. Please join me as I work through my last three paintings for the exhibition, as well as frame some of the others and recap on the en plein air work I did on the River Medway in Aylesford in Kent.
I would love to see you at my exhibition. The preview evening is on November 2nd 5pm to 8pm - everyone welcome. I will also be there on Friday 3rd November from 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 4pm to talk to you about my work on show.
In The Studio: Week 40
As I begin the last three paintings of my River Painting series for 2023, I move towards planning and preparing the paintings for my solo exhibition at The Old Cinema in Chiswick from 2nd November to the end of December. All abstract landscapes, and all original oil paintings, I hope you join me on this journey as well as visiting the exhibition if you can.
In The Studio: Week 39
This week I am packing and wrapping my large abstract landscape paintings as I head from my French studio back to my studio in Cumbria. Transporting original paintings is always stressful, but the transit van is a godsend, and my husband is very good with a bungy strap! I have still found time to do some en plein air work, this time back at an old favourite from last year - Lassay Les Chateaux. My medium sized abstract oil painting of Bagnoles de L'Orne is well on the way, with the fluorescent paints shining through in various places. I willl be heading to The Old Cinema as part of our travels back to Cumbria, to check final arrangements for my exhibition 'Routes Into Nature' in November and December, with the preview evening on Thursday 2nd November from 5pm to 8pm. Please come along if you can - The Old Cinema, 160 Chiswick High Road, W4 1PR
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 32
Join me this week in my studio in Cumbria as I embark on three paintings inspired by The River Stour near Sandwich, Kent. Using inks, fluorescents as well as more traditional oil paints I begin three sizes of abstract landscape. I am also getting a load more free giveaways of original paintings or drawings ready for my weekly competition - subscribe to my mailing list and follow me on Instagram to be eligible.
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 30
Join me in my French studio this week as I finally finish all the paintings I have been doing inspired by a visit to Honfleur earlier in the year. These form part of my River Series of paintings for 2023, which will be on show as part of an exhibition in November in Chiswick, London.
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!