Hello, hello! I'm a full time artist and educator who loves colour, pattern and abstract art. I'm also the author of the book 'Expressive Sketchbooks: Developing Creative Skills, Courage and Confidence, published by Quarry Books. In these videos I share what I'm up to in my aown art practice, art making wisdom, advice, techniques and ideas to help you make more art and fall in love with your sketchbook...
I love this video Helen! Lovely sketch books (all of them)! Makes me want to use some water colour and love how Barbara used her sketchbook as a journal.
Hi Helen. I loved seeing this book of the beginnings of your art journey. Most of it really inspired and delighted me. I have a day of dabbling in my arty efforts as I enjoy the last day of a little break away by the sea. A sunshiny winters day in NZ. Love Trills.xx
Helen, we’d love to see some total right -brained videos of you making your art. Your page, your materials, your hands creating. To music? 🙏 Pretty please? 🤗
Hi Helen, In my younger years i used to feel guilty spending time being creative when i knew there was housework to be done. So i decided to sell my crafts in a small way and the guilt vanished! But now I'm in my 60's and no longer sell. I've chilled out somewhat and gave myself a good talking to that housework is relentless and i deserve a bit of time to enjoy crafting. I've also found a local painting group....so there's no chance of housework there lol!
WOW! WOW! I really love your sketch book Helen. I just recently found your site and really resonate with your art. I am 76 and started art journalling 2016 after years of different crafts and now I have been doing more abstract arty stuff. So satisfying. I’ve just filled a couple of books like yours, changing themes and styles of abstract stuff. I’m still hesitant to call it art, but seeing your books and others on utube I find I do have connections to the abstract art community. So glad I found you Helen. Love Trills, NZ.xx
A very warm welcome Trills. How fabulous, brilliant to hear you are making your own art and finding your own artistic language…it’s an exciting journey. Have fun along the way x
Helen, have you tried the Daler Rowney System 3 paint? It has a satin finish instead of the sticky, plasticy gloss that most acrylic paints have. It’s my new favorite sketchbook paint, next to Flashe paints. It’s not easy to get here in the US, but worth the shipping.
Yay! That’s a great recommendation. How kind. I have indeed used it…it’s super easy to get here in the UK as it’s a British brand…thank you for sharing x
Love the manner of discovery. Its so sensual in itself..very tactile I 100%, Helen..describe in the same manner. I just love it and walk through life that way. Its how I gather information..sensually.🍃
I am coming to the end of a roll of the best ever masking tape. It is normaql masking tape size but it is a lasticky stuff with low tack. It sticks on perfectly and can be reused over and over but t never damages my paper. Unfortunately it has no branding and I remember not where I got it many moons ago and my searches so far have been fruitless :-( The tips are useful in the meantime, especially sticking tape on ur clothes first, thanks!
I was just laughing at the end of the video Helen when the picture fell off the wall. I know what you're saying about slowing down but I think you have so much energy and it must be hard! You just make me smile with your enthusiasm! I look forward to what comes next.❤
What is that wonderful black brushpen you are using to make the shapes?? The one with the brush tip that’s orange on the outside… I woud love to know ❤
I absolutely loved doing this! I have so many scraps laying around and this turns them into something very inspiring. Thank you for sharing this with us!
Perfectly said! I’m going to try that list. Enjoy some time off! I love your videos and classes. Which reminds me I have a class still to watch. Perfect timing!
This is from a British brand called Daler Rowney they A3 artist sketchbooks and are quite cheap and readily available here in the UK if you are outside the UK this brand will be difficult to find I think…or expensive
Sometimes I wonder why we have to give ourselves permission to REST and then explain and apologize when we do? As you said, to have more energy we need to rest, which essentially is doing less or stopping something. (I like the journaling suggestion) Very inspiration message! Thank you!! And please... take this time for yourself... and rest. Looking forward to see what changes you made after you have properly rested. Your energy is infectious and appreciated!
Thank you so much for such we Thank you so much for your thoughtful and lovely note. I don’t think our culture is really set up to celebrate and promote rest is it? But I’m celebrating it! Take care Helen
Thank you for sharing your ideas and process of re-energizing your creativity. I feel like I have hit a wall from time to time, rest and plenty of garden time helps, but I am going to give your lists a go. See you after your partial break!
It is called Masterpiece of Mess by Ludlow via EpidemicSound. I've popped the music credit in the description now too... sorry I usually try and do this...x
Message received, Helen! Thank you so much for these suggestions. As a chronic “Do-er”, I appreciate these words- refresh, nurture, replenish. My small business is very physical (working with horses), yet I often allow myself to feel guilty for being tired in summer, a time when working outside is a necessity. But your vlog has prompted me to think about how I can reframe those feelings, perhaps increasing my strength and stamina by pruning the to do list. Brilliant! ❤
Another InSightful Share Helen🙏🏽🥰 Summer for Me is a Time of Play, Chilling, DayDreaming, luscious Naps & Restoration Allow YourSelf this, You Deserve it💙 May You have a Blessed, Restful, Gentle, Playful, Nurturing, Adventurous, Spontaneous, Laughter Filled time off🙌🏽💃🏽🌺🦄🦚🌈🌞🌊🎈💛
Your face when your artwork slid down from the wall! It was a picture lol 😄🤭 could be a message from the Divine: work on me, experiment with me because I'm not finished...yet 😁 enjoy your break Helen, I will definitely be here when you post again in September for sure. I do understand what you mean though about 'endoftermitis'...I was exhausted after I graduated from Uni and basically slept for a week afterwards 🥱💤 little or no energy for anything else. We need to listen to our body for there is the deepest wisdom 💚
My reaction to the painting falling was rather funny, I slowed that clip right down so the full ludicrousness of it could be witnessed! Thank you for your kindness and encouragement. Love Helen
your work is stunning, I love the vibrancy, and the tip to write and dissect the creative process is fascinating, something I haven't done before but will definitely try.
Helen, thank you for an inspiring video. Sounds simple: start, stop. Less, more . But it's doing something good for self, that we all need. Have a great summer.
I love this Helen, I have felt the change lately, the pulling away from some things and rediscovering my love of fabric, I have a question for you and any other artists here, I really want to delve into the feminine and flow so much more, and to build up my patreon and RU-vid, so that can be background income, what do you do when having a 'drought' type period in finances, how do you stay in that flow of creation?
Oh thank you so much. It’s a good question when your livelihood and business depends on your art as mine does. My approach has been to 1.have multiple different streams of income ie I license my work and sell classes etc. 2.plan for fallow seasons and save as much as possible in the months when things are going well. 3. Keep expenses and overheads lean…but that’s just my way of running things…there is no one way, it can be a delicate balancing act as to how to best calibrate it to match your needs and lifestyle and creative flow
Third video I'm watching. (only discovered you tonight). I love how you don't scare beginners or intermediates away. It's all explorative and exciting. As it should be.
