This video shows my week as an artist in my studio in Cumbria, carrying out a painting commission of a garden, playing with glitter with the grandchildren and preparing for my first every sketch book workshop online. I also talk about my Open Studio Event next weekend 24th 25th and 26th August in Alston Cumbria.

We will be opening the doors again to The Old Police Station on Saturday 24th, Sunday 25th and Monday 26th August to show you an exhibition of smaller works from 2019 to my most recent works. There will be huge offers and discounts for subscribers to my mailing list so please don’t miss it, as well as this painting being on sale and show for the first time.

This week I finish my seascape of Dunstanburgh Castle on the North East Coast, prepare for a commission and frame some high quality giclee prints for Rydal Mount and Gardens, and the Dennis Kilgallon Gallery.

This video shows me out and about gathering information and sketchbook work for future paintings. I visit several locations, and make preparatory studies in my sketchbook en plein air. Looking at colour shape and form, I use the work done in the open air to inform my final original oil paintings with a geometric pattern underpainting. From a lake in Lincoln, to a Sculpture exhibition in Doddington Hall, from a meadow in Oxfordshire to a garden in Solihull - I might not have been in the studio but I still managed lots of time to paint outdoors. I have also added a gift card option to my website, so if you don't already subscribe to my mailing list - hop over there now https//www.helenalicejohnsonartist.com and take advantage of a 10% discount this week in celebration of my new gift cards and updated website courtesy of Kalkidan Legesse at https://www.kalkidanlegesse.com

Pattern in my oil paintings has always been important and the use of the golden section as well as geometric design is shown in all three of my hand stretched canvases this week. I also try to paint en plein air for the starting point of all my art work and spent time this week at the North East coastline near Dunstanburgh Castle in readiness for my next painting. And finally, I have been painting a small watercolour of a gosling for my grandson.

If you’re interested in the painting process - my video blog is definitely for you this week! I have been flat out painting and now have three unfinished canvases on the go!

Which is super exciting because that means I will have three new paintings that will all be revealed for the first time at the Dennis Kilgallon Gallery from 6th July to 25th August.

This one above is the second painting I have made inspired by Cow Green Reservoir - as yet unfinished - I have some unresolved issues with the reservoir itself and then some details to add to finish it off, but it will definitely be ready for the 6th July!

Larger than the first one  this one is 80cm x 129cm and the Lapwing sits on the Golden Section. It will be for sale for the bargain price of £1050 so make sure you save the date to see it before it gets snapped up!

If you can’t make my exhibition at the Dennis Kilgallon Gallery don’t worry - we will be opening up The Old Police Station again for Open Studio Art Sale for 24th, 25th and 26th August for the Bank Holiday

And if you are in the South of England, The Old Cinema stock a range of my paintings and have even more online.

In Northern France in June, it would be remiss of me not to visit the beautiful gardens of Giverny - home of Claude Monet and the site of his famous Waterlily paintings. And as this is so close to Chartres, one of my favourite places in France, I went seeking inspiration from the beautiful stained glass at Chartres Cathedral. This inspiration will be used for my next two paintings at least, which will be shown at the Dennis Kilgallon Gallery NE47 8JP from 6th July to 25th August

As well as a painting finished and a weekend at the Landmark Arts Fair in Teddington, London, we have still managed to put on a great show for you at The Old Police Station, Alston as par of my Open Studio event Spring Bank holiday 2024. Check out the video blog for what I’ve been up to this week.

I am opening the door to my Studio this Bank holiday weekend with the lounge converted into a small gallery and lots of original artwork for sale for every budget. From affordable art to large original oil paintings, there really is something for everyone this weekend and we'd love to see you here in Alston Cumbria. I will be here for the three days beginning my next painting as well as welcoming visitors.