Find us this week at the fabulous Landmark Arts Centre for the Landmark Spring Arts Fair in Teddington, London. We are on stall 67 with a range of my original paintings, from the largest down to the smallest, so lots of affordable art. There are also many other fantastic artists and makers here so really is something for everyone. Please come along if you can. But this isn't where we started the week - in fact, we began our art journey this week literally in another country - with a trip to beautiful Scotland - specifically Kirkudbright in the South West of Scotland. Known as an artist's town, Kirkudbright has an inspirational bay and I spent the morning painting en plein air in Jock Bay, working in my sketchbook in readiness for my next painting of 2024.

I'm absolutely thrilled with how this painting is shaping up! The way the pattern weaves through the earth and sky, connecting the spaces in between is simply captivating. It's a joy to see it come together.

I'm super excited to share with you that I've been pouring my heart into my latest large landscape painting, taking inspiration from the peaceful charm of Ullswater in The Lake District, Cumbria. It's been an amazing journey and it’s not over yet!

I spend the week this week painting a complicated geometric, Islamic 8 pointed star pattern as an underpainting for my next large abstract landscape inspired by Ullswater in the Lake District. I explain why I do this and why it matters to me in this short video blog of my week as an artist

I have been on the move again this week. Travelling from Alston to France, with a bit of shopping for paints along the way. I have been shopping for Acrylic paints to make abstract paintings and brought them back to my studio to try them out. Also, some great news - following the successful launch of the exhibition in London - EmpowerHer: Creativity, Courage and Magical Thinking, by CasildArt in London, the exhibition has been extended and now runs until the 7th April, so please visit if you can. 32, Connaught Street, London. W2 2AF

A very varied week this week. I have been out seeking landscape inspiration for my next painting along the beautiful River Nent in Cumbria as well as framing my large abstract painting called Somewhere In Between and smaller abstract paintings that are now finished, which are all looking fabulous in their Farrow and Ball Winbourne White frames! These smaller pieces are definitely Affordable Art, due to their size and would also make great gifts for an art lover. I have also been stretching canvases ready to start my next painting based on the River Nent and finishing off a couple of small experimental pieces, and experimenting with pattern as a structure to help with composition, also experimental, in readiness for this next painting.

I explore the Church of the Paraclete at Kirkhaugh in Cumbria, the only church with that name and the only one with a 'Fleche' Spire, which translates to 'Arrow'. As I am interested in the piercing of the space in between earth and sky, this seemed a fantastic subject for my first abstract landscape painting of 2024. Using a fluorescent pattern to fill the space between top and bottom, I have then begun to paint over this using sketchbooks and photographs from the church as a starting point, in mainly greens and reds. Additionally, I have been preparing some Limited edition prints for Rydal Mount and Gardens, which re-opens on 8th February.

This week I travel back from France to my studio in Cumbria, and use the travelling time to think and plan some ideas for my next set of large abstract paintings which will be based on the North Pennines. I am having an exhibition in July at the Dennis Kilgallon Gallery and these paintings will be painted specifically for the exhibition. Of course, if anyone wants to buy one before the exhibition, that will be fine! I hope you like what I've been up to! Please subscribe to my channel if you do!

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!

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.