“In the landscape, I gather colours like memories – they’re quiet, layered, and always a part of me.”
Helena’s art is rooted in the transformative power of colour, shaped by early influences and the artists who share her reverence for nature. During a masterclass with Hugo Grenville in Dorset, she explored colour’s emotional depth, using limited palettes to build tonal harmony. Grenville’s emphasis on capturing light and mood continues to inspire Helena, who sketches extensively outdoors to gather tonal information and connect with each landscape. This method allows her to layer each piece with memory and atmosphere, making every brushstroke a lasting reflection of place.
“There’s a freedom in structure, a place where instinct meets intention.”
Helena’s graphic design background brings structure to her landscapes, drawing on inspirations like Robert Rauschenberg, whose compositions blend boldness with careful balance. This influence reminds her that art can be instinctual yet refined, allowing her to experiment with structure and spontaneous expression simultaneously. By combining a designer’s precision with her instinctual painting style, Helena’s work holds a dialogue between order and freedom, where structured landscapes are shaped by the natural energy of each place.
“Painting outside lets the place lead me – tones, light, movement – it all tells a story.”
For Helena, painting in plein air offers an authentic connection to the landscape, where the energy and tone of a place naturally guide her brush. Inspired by the instinctive, organic approaches of Jackson Pollock and Berthe Morisot, she embraces the fluidity and spontaneity of painting outdoors. In the studio, she uses music to replicate the momentum of plein air, bringing that same sense of movement to her indoor work. Her paintings invite viewers to experience the landscape’s natural rhythm and quiet energy, offering a sensory journey through colour, shape, and place.
