“What I have learnt over the years is what to keep and what not to keep”, she says. “Everything is in the balance and in the composition. Everything has to work together. The colours need to correspond. There are areas that need to breathe. It’s like putting an outfit on. Some things don’t go with others, and sometimes you need something neutral on to balance the other colours”.

“When I was approached by HQ to exhibit, I asked them if they would consider showing Roy Oxlade’s work in the gallery. When it was suggested that we should be exhibited together I was really pleased as I’ve always loved his work, from when I was a student”, she says. “Although I love all sorts of artists – from figurative to abstract painters - I feel I share some common ground with Roy’s work. What I do is about being creative, about being in touch with myself and being expressive. Everyone loves children’s art, because they do that sort of thing naturally. It’s much harder for adults to do it: they have to learn how again. But everybody can if they try.” AL

Helen will be exhibiting alongside Roy Oxlade (see page 11) and Darren Sherwood. An interview with Darren can be found in the June edition of the Viva Lewes Handbook.