With some slight apprehension (which I am re-labelling excitement) I am about to host a Q&A evening on Thursday 6th July at 6pm, the Teifi Waterside Hotel at Poppit, Pembrokeshire and unveiling my latest series of paintings inspired by the glorious surroundings of the Teifi estuary.
As part of the evening I'll be talking about my process and motives for painting. To be prepared I've been making some notes, and doing a bit of soul searching.
In the talk, I'll be reflecting on my art career over the last two decades, in particular my love of colour, story telling and disregard for the 'rules' of painting.
Finding Happiness and Resilience through the Beauty of Paintings
In life, we all face challenging times that can leave us feeling overwhelmed and searching for solace. During one such period, I discovered a remarkable source of happiness and resilience that helped me navigate through the storm: happy paintings. In this blog post, I want to share my personal journey and how these uplifting artworks became, and continue to be a beacon of light during difficult times.
The Story Behind Happy Paintings: Happy paintings are not just colourful images on canvas; they hold a powerful narrative that resonates. Each stroke of the brush and vibrant hue on the canvas reflects my mission in life - to share the joy. It may seem rather simplistic to some, but it's the strong core of my work, and my being, that I keep returning unapologetically to.
"Art has the power to transform, to illuminate, to educate, inspire, and motivate." - Harvey Fierstein
Inspiration from Happy Moments: When life becomes challenging, we often long for happy memories and moments that bring us joy. Happy paintings have a unique way of capturing those cherished experiences. They evoke a sense of nostalgia, transporting us to idyllic holidays, peaceful beaches, and blooming gardens. These visual representations of happy moments serve as a reminder of the beauty and positivity that exist in our lives.
Happiness as a Source of Resilience: During my own difficult times, these paintings became my refuge. They provided a sanctuary where I could escape the hardships and immerse myself in a world filled with color, laughter, and peace. The vibrant scenes of dogs playing, boats sailing on calm waters, and charming villages became symbols of resilience and hope.
The Healing Power of Art: Art, in all its forms, possesses an incredible ability to heal and uplift the human spirit. Happy paintings, in particular, emanate positive energy and radiate joy. The act of observing and immersing oneself in these artworks can have a transformative effect on our emotions, helping us find solace, inspiration, and the strength to persevere.
"Creativity takes courage." - Henri Matisse
Through difficult times, I found that incorporating 'happy paintings' into my daily life made a profound difference. Surrounding myself with these colours and stories created a positive atmosphere, reminding me to focus on the beauty that exists amidst the chaos. They served as gentle reminders to seek happiness, even in the smallest of moments.
"Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time." - Thomas Merton
We all have difficult time and finding happiness and resilience is essential. Happy paintings became my guiding light during such times, providing a much-needed source of joy and strength. Through their playful narratives and vibrant imagery, these artworks continue to inspire and uplift me. The nourishing power of art can truly calm our lives and help us navigate with hope.
Art is the highest form of hope." - Gerhard Richter.
Does this mean I can only paint Happy Pictures when I'm not happy? It did for a while, but now, not at all. Joy sparks joy and as has been said 'Joy shared is never diminished'
If you'd like to hear and see more
Join us for an evening journey through my creative process, exploring the stories behind the artwork and the inspirations that breathe life into my 'happy pictures'. I hope you'll smile at the vibrant scenes of dogs playing on warm sandy beaches, boats gently sailing along the estuary, picturesque villages nestled amidst lush greenery, and the spectacular blooming great beauty of flowers that adorn the landscape, and my kitchen table!
During the Q&A session, you'll have the opportunity to connect with me directly and gain insights into my work. Ask me about my creative techniques, the significance of the Teifi estuary in the work, or anything that sparks your curiosity.... I reserve the right to say I don't know! But I hope this intimate interaction will deepen your appreciation for the artistry and love that goes into each painting.
I'd love you to join me, it's such a pleasure to talk in person to people who have an interest in my work. If you would like to join us, please contact the Teifi Waterside hotel directly to secure your seat. Bring a friend, and be a part of this celebration as we unveil the new vibrant, joyful, memorable Teifi estuary series and have a good time together.
love
Helen
Using green in your paintings.
Color theory is the study of how colors interact with each other. It is a fundamental part of art and design, and it can be used to create a variety of effects.
When painting with green, it is important to consider the color wheel. The color wheel is a circular arrangement of colors that shows the relationships between them. The primary colors are red, yellow, and blue. The secondary colors are orange, green, and purple. The tertiary colors are created by mixing primary and secondary colors.
There are three main types of color schemes: analogous, complementary, and triadic. Analogous colors are colors that are next to each other on the color wheel. They create a harmonious and pleasing effect. Complementary colors are colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel. They create a strong contrast and can be used to create dramatic effects. Triadic colors are three colors that are evenly spaced around the color wheel. They create a balanced and harmonious effect.
When painting with green, it is also important to consider the value and saturation of the color. Value refers to the lightness or darkness of a color. Saturation refers to the intensity of a color. A high-saturation color is very bright and vibrant, while a low-saturation color is more muted.
By understanding color theory, artists can create paintings that are visually appealing and have the desired effect.
Here are some tips for using color theory when painting with green:
Use analogous colors to create a harmonious and pleasing effect. For example, you could use a range of green shades, from light to dark.
Use complementary colors to create a strong contrast. For example, you could use green and red.
Use triadic colors to create a balanced and harmonious effect. For example, you could use green, red, and blue.
Use different values of green to create depth and interest. For example, you could use a light green for the foreground, a medium green for the middle ground, and a dark green for the background.
Use different saturations of green to create a variety of effects. For example, you could use a high-saturation green for the highlights, a low-saturation green for the shadows, and a medium-saturation green for the midtones.
By following these tips, you can create beautiful paintings that use color theory to their full potential.
This was a hot topic among artists and buyers who thronged last weekend at Bath Art Fair.
So I thought I'd delve a little deeper, having been both a seller and a buyer there it intrigued me, 'why buy art'?
pictured above - Chloe Elliott Schmid paintings and Dyffryn Glass at Bath Art Fair 2023
I mean it's 'just' a painting right? so why do I, and billions like me spend our hard earned cash on 'just' a painting?
#1 Emotional response
the main reason. From promoting a feeling of contentment and stillness, to evoking a memory. Connecting to a feeling seems to be the reason that most people buy art. Have you ever seen at a piece of art and thought: ‘I need that because it makes me feel xxx? It's an emotional reaction. When art makes you feel something or remember something, that's the best reason I think for buying art. For me it's an exciting when that happens, and I know I want more of that feeling in my living room and life.
#2 Investment
sometimes people will buy art because they have been told it will increase in monetary value, but in my opinion art is not real estate. It belongs on your wall in in your heart. Not in a vault. Also ... there's a herd mentality about buying 'the next big thing' that doesn't sit easily with me. Ask yourself, who is benefiting from this? see point 5 below.
A painting I bought because of an emotional response recently does have the added benefit of being an investment. I imagined my children and grandchildren growing up seeing this painting in our house and associating memories with it. One day it will hang in one of their homes - my kind of investment.
#3 Love of art
for some people purchasing art for the love of art is enough. They fill their homes with beautiful art and objects. It makes them feel how, and who, they want to be.
#4 For impact
Some people like to buy art because it makes a statement. They buy because the art is controversial, different and interesting. Sometimes people buy this type of art to start discussions or make a point.
#5 Supporting artists
I love visiting graduate shows and local art shows and buying a piece from artists who are in the early stages of their careers. Speaking as an artist, it's the most incredible life changing event, to sell your first painting. Buy buying from an 'emerging artists' you are funding their development and potentially their ability to affect thousands of peoples lives for the better. Prices at local art shows and graduation shows tend to be very reasonable too, so they are a great place to start or grow your collection.
"'[Art] has always been a stable nourishment. I use it.It can change the way I feel in the mornings.." – David Bowie
Art fairs are great places to buy art. You get to meet the artist, talk about their works, see many, many different pieces and hopefully find a favourite piece to take home
We bought two pieces of art at the weekend. One because we thought it was the best piece in the show, we both were drawn to it and we could see it in our home, that our family would like it, and that we could look at it and be entertained. Also it was piece painted by a former student of mine (@sarahheatherart) and had that history. The other painting, more my decision, I bought because it immediately reminded me of a trip my husband and I had taken several years ago.
Here's one I bought at Bath Art Fair from Paul Browne
Interested in starting your own original art collection?
You really don't need an analytical reason to buy art. It doesn't need to match the wall paper, it doesn't need to be a popular artist featured in magazines. All that matters at the end of the day is that you love it. And that's not something that can be categorised.
Here's a short video explaining what to think about when buying art, and my current available paintings can be viewed here .
I'd love to hear your thoughts about why you buy art, leave a comment and let me know.