Another busy week in my French art studio this week as I complete a large garden painting commission as well as begin an oil painting of Lake Windermere in the Lake District. My elaborate underpaintings have taken a lot of time this week as I use geometric pattern to create a base for my unique landscape paintings. And this week I am heading to the South of France to check out Arles and the home of Van Gogh and Gaugin in their Yellow House, so make sure you subscribe to my channel to see updates of my art history tour this week.

Beatriz Milhazes is a Brazilian artist with an exhibition on currently at Tate St Ives (until September 2024). I am particularly drawn to her paintings because of the similarities I see in my own work. Milhazes' studio is in Rio de Janeiro and as such she is influenced by the landscape around her and the botanical gardens of Rio de Janeiro.

Open Art Studio in Alston this Bank holiday weekend. I am opening the doors to The Old Police Station to show a range of large abstract landscapes as well as small original art works and limited edition art prints too. Some of my most popular paintings are now prints so this is not to be missed if you can make it.

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.

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

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.

Thank you so much to all of you who managed to get to my Open Studio last weekend. It was a fantastic three days, where we met lots of interesting people, old friends as well as several new collectors, with lots of original art works sold, from my largest paintings right down to some of my smallest pieces. Not to mention cards and prints too. There really is something for everyone and my Open Studios.

Since then - I’ve had a great week in the studio - check out my video blog below and see my work in progress of Cow Green Reservoir.

We Are All Made Of Stars - Oil on canvas. I'm delighted to announce that the oil painting of Ullswater in the Lake District is complete and I think it’s absolutely breath-taking! The beautiful blend of pattern and landscape, which is neither abstract nor representational, creates a unique aesthetic. Stay tuned for more of such captivating work in the upcoming months!