An Interview with Helen Clark

Helen I know you said your patio needed a bit of va va voom, but I didn't envisage a wonderful pergola! You've been busy! It'll look great next year when you've got the climbing plants running up. A Passion flower will look great, but if you're patient a white Wisteria would look awesome here. This mug you've given me is massive and it's full to the rim with cola and a twist of Ginger, almost as nice as your home-made chocolate cookies! Please can I take some home?!

What have you been up to today, I know you said it was an early start?
I'm working part-time soldering wires and other bits on to circuit boards. I've already taken the dogs out twice today the electric quad I use is great because it means I can take the dogs out for fast and long walks; they really do need it.

Do you get chance to do much painting or just on the club nights?
Lunch is the main meal of the day here. If I paint in the morning then I would have planned what the husband and I are having so I can cook it quickly. I Usually paint most evenings when I finally stop and sit down, but it tends to be when the mood hits. If I haven’t done anything for a few days I start feeling as if I am filling up and need an outlet.

I know you prefer to paint indoors, have you designated arty room?
Currently I have my equipment in bags and around me in the sitting room. I want a better place and intend to convert a bedroom soon. The dogs will no doubt come and check that I am still here when I have my own room.

I've seen a few of your designs take shape at the club nights, but what inspires you and how do you start your paintings, they are very different and very colourful.
Interesting shapes in pictures, nature, lots of colour.  Other people's interpretation of a subject or idea are an inspiration. I tend to take photos, either photo's I have taken or interesting photos from other sources. I always produce a sketch or two, or three, then if I like the result I will come up with a painting. I also paint from my imagination - a lot.

I don't recall ever seeing one of your finished paintings, do you ever finish them?!
Depends on what you call complete. The first attempt takes less than a week. Then I will put it somewhere where I can see it near to where I am sitting, so I can just look at it deciding what needs to be improved. This can go on for two or three weeks with me making minor changes, or big ones, before it is done.
Ahh! That explains things, are you ever satisfied with the end result?
Rarely. When I go back and look again months later, I think how I could be better. Sometimes I make the change. Once or twice I've painted over a painting I wasn't happy with. Other times I produce another and make the changes I think it needs.

I think when I first saw you painting you was using pencil crayons; do you use anything else now?
I have used water colour, pastel, acrylic and I am currently using water soluble oils.
When did you realise being arty was what you loved to do? And, do you have any tips for new artists young or old?
When I realised, I needed a new hobby several years ago. In the past I often went back to drawing and painting. As for any tips, just try it. Take classes, try different mediums, join a club and be inspired, just have a go.

Well I'm ready to have a go at painting in your style, where are we off too to be inspired?
We are off to Moorland’s Mill Yard Café, for a spot of lunch and inspiration. There's a pretty bridge and ford there and if we are lucky there may be a few ducks waddling around, they'll be plenty of photos to be taken for inspiration and then back here to make some sketches and start on the final piece.

If you are interested in any of the above art work please use the 'contact page'.
To learn more about Helen's painting please visit her showcase page here