I was lucky enough to go on a fantastic voyage to Antarctica at the beginning of March - and even luckier to make it home on March 15 just before the Covid Lockdown. It was the most wonderful trip full of inspirational sights. We had perfect weather and an unexpectedly smooth crossing over the Drake Passage. I particularly wanted to see the fabulous blues and turquoises of the icebergs and I wasn't disappointed. We also saw three different types of penguins, lots of seals and birdlife and some magnificent whales, both humpback and orca. It was very cold of course and sketching was tricky but I managed some small sketches which I've made into a book, a wonderful memory of the trip.
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It won't come as a surprise to learn that I've postponed the Dorset painting holiday in June - I decided to wait till next year as everything is still very uncertain. But on a positive note, I will put on 2 dates next year - April has been so beautiful this year I'll be offering one after Easter, April 18, and the same June week as this year. I'm keeping the prices the same as this year and keeping my fingers crossed that life will have returned to normal by then. Most of the people who booked June this year have already rebooked 2021, but there are still a few spaces and there is plenty of space on the April week. I won't be taking any deposits until the Autumn, and if Covid causes me to cancel in 2021 I will return the deposits. See the painting holiday page for more details.
June 28-July 3 2020
I've had many requests to run an independent painting holiday again so I did some research earlier in the year and stayed at a lovely place near Corfe Castle - I was impressed by the standard of accommodation, the fantastic location and the enthusiasm of the owner. He has great plans for the future but it is already a very good venue for a painting holiday - wonderful views from the garden, Kingston and Corfe very close by, good local bus service and lots of Dorset coastline to explore. And importantly a large room with good daylight in case the weather isn’t kind. I have spent some time working out the price and was keen to base it on single occupancy. The price is £735 single (already booked up for this one), £820 double for single occupancy, £650 pp for two sharing (discount for non-painting partners). If you would like more information or a booking form please email me, there are still some places. I've finally finished my instruction book and had it printed - it will be available in the cruise classes and on my painting holidays, but if you'd like me to send you one please email me your address, the cost is £8.50 including UK postage.
These are my sketches done while rafting down the Grand Canyon and exploring Yellowstone and Zion Canyon in September 2018. I am now making an illustrated map of the rafting trip.
About time I updated this news page! 2018 was such a busy year with lots of travelling and teaching I barely seemed to be at home. I'm now planning my painting holidays and cruise classes for 2019 - here is a list of the painting holidays:
My first teaching job in 2018 was a Northern lights cruise, February-March, travelling to Tromso and Alta in Norway. It was the most memorable trip, with wonderful (though chilly!) weather, and the most spectacular display of the Northern Lights in Alta. I managed to photograph them and also did some watercolours - though nothing can match up to the experience. You can see photos and comments on my facebook page.Welcome to my new website! I have been rather slow in getting around to it as I knew it would take a lot of time and I'm often away. But after a busy period which lasted from January until March I now have some time to get on with it. I hope you like it - I will be adding news and any new cruises and painting holidays that come up. For the last few years I've been putting news on my facebook page, but it will be wonderful to be able to update the website regularly. Hope you like it! |
Helen's news Archives
November 2021
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