_PNG.png){kind=small}
Helena Wilsen-Saunders
UNITED KINGDOM
_p.png)
“Helena likes to capture reality, taking the time to really ‘see’ something before putting paint to canvas.”
Helena Wilsen-Saunders has worked in the field of Contemporary art and design for about twenty-five years, although she has been on a journey with her art for as long as she can remember. As a youngster, exploring the world around her was a daily adventure, always finding a new treasure to look over and study.
Four legs good, two legs bad | Oil
$4,248
1. 'Four legs good, two legs bad.''
The phrase comes from George Orwell's "Animal Farm", Where the
sheep are often portrayed as silly, crowd followers. However, look up close and you can see what gorgeous, wise creatures they are. I wanted to paint this ewe's portrait a la Rembrandt; using the strong chiaroscuro to enhance the spirituality of the pose.
One of her earliest memories is tattooing a picture of a princess in a forest into a desk bought, ‘nearly new,’ for her fifth birthday. Luckily, she was always encouraged to follow her artistic passion by her parents. Her father even varnished over the drawing to help preserve it.
Lamb to the slaughter | Oil
$3,008
2.'Lamb to the slaughter'.
Sadly, we have a purpose in keeping these gorgeous creatures; for food and clothing in particular. In this profile portrait, the rays of light coming through the dusty barn added to the poignancy I felt knowing that this animal was off to the slaughterhouse soon.
In school she was always interested in improving my drawing and painting skills. Wanting to paint what she saw before her and take inspiration from traditional and modern art. One of the only ‘real’ paintings Helena had chance to see was ‘The Dice Players’ by the French artist George De La Tour at the Middlesbrough Museum. She spent many hours trying to capture the dramatic use of light and tried to incorporate this chiaroscuro and close observation into a precollege portfolio.
“She has never lost the love of daily exploration and observation of life around her.”
After graduating in Fine Art at Reading University, where she created a series of ‘hand-woven abstract landscapes. Inspired by the love of the ‘meshed’ drawings of sculptors Henry Moore and Alberto Giacometti. Later joining the commercial world as a Graphic Artist.
Some animals are more equal than others | Oil
$3,520
''Some animals are more equal than others''
The bad guys in George Orwell's novel 'Animal Farm are the pigs. I wanted to add some positive propaganda to show this simply isn't true. Look at how proud this sow looks of her little runty piglet.
''Some animals are more equal than others''
The bad guys in George Orwell's novel 'Animal Farm are the pigs. I wanted to add some positive propaganda to show this simply isn't true. Look at how proud this sow looks of her little runty piglet.
Anyone who has read George Orwell's 'Animal Farm' will have wept buckets when poor Shire horse, Boxer sacrifices himself. for the greater good. In this portrait I wanted to show the gentle and calm nature of the working farm horse, This beautiful creature is living out his remaining days in a beautiful Suffolk sanctuary, unlike its tragic namesake. Boxer's placid nature belies his incredible muscular strength. His beautiful, soulful eyes add an air of stoicism and melancholy.
Boxer-I will work harder' | Oil
$5,136
She continued painting at every opportunity, working in many mediums on large canvasses for corporate commissions. The subject matter varied from macro-abstractions of flora and fauna to semi-spiritual iconography. Although that search for spirituality within her work has never disappeared.
“She has had a radical shift in style when she moved to Suffolk, aiming to realistically transcribe both the beauty and reality of the places she sees each day.”
“Art was an escape from the harsh reality of life of growing up in relative poverty on a tough council estate in the Northeast of England.”
Since the move to rural Suffolk a few years ago, Helena’s artistic focus has invariably been on the surrounding Suffolk landscape. From the marshy sandbanks of the Deben to the coastal paths of Dunwich and Southwold as there are few more interesting subjects.
Before the snow | Oil
$1,489
Here I wanted to capture the moment when the sky is heavy with fresh snow and the quiet stillness of the landscape awaiting a fresh blanket.
I used a cool palette with flashes of intense contrasting colour , inspired by the Danish realist Peder Mørk Mønsted's snowy scenes.
Faithfully rendering the fields, rivers, hills and skies, whilst portraying the turbulent, transitory elements like rain and lightning that tear through and amplify the landscape. Following humbly in the footsteps of classical masters, such as, Constable, Turner, Friedrich, Rembrandt to name but few.
This is part of a series of Winter paintings inspired by the Danish Realist painter Peder Mørk Mønsted . I used a palette of cool . neutral colours with flashes of contrasting intense colour to mimic the low, sharp sunlight in winter. the landscape out on the Suffolk/Norfolk border. The freshly laid snow cast cobalt blue shadows across the snowy ields. The slowly thawing ice of the stream created lovely patterns and texture as it started to flow again with a hint that Spring wasn't too far away.
The Winter Sun | Oil
$2,340
This is part of a series of Winter paintings inspired by the Danish Realist painter Peder Mørk Mønsted . I used a palette of cool . neutral colours with flashes of contrasting intense colour to mimic the low, sharp sunlight in winter. the landscape out on the Suffolk/Norfolk border. The freshly laid snow cast cobalt blue shadows across the snowy ields. The slowly thawing ice of the stream created lovely patterns and texture as it started to flow again with a hint that Spring wasn't too far away.
It takes time to ‘see’. Most people don’t really have that time in their busy lives. So, she paints what she sees for others to appreciate. Helena always tries to avoid stylizing, aiming to portray the uniqueness that nature possesses. She will edit and manipulate the composition until satisfied.
This is part of a series of Winter paintings inspired by the Danish Realist painter Peder Mørk Mønsted . I used a palette of cool ,neutral colours to create the bleached out light of this early morning Winter scene in Suffolk.
Bare trees at Hintlesham | Oil
$1,489
While working for a central London agency, Helena designed album covers for The Bangles, Bruce Springsteen, Sade and many others.”
Oh Little Christmas Tree | Oil
$1,489
This is part of a series of Winter paintings inspired by the Danish Realist painter Peder Mørk Mønsted . On a winter walk through the Heath at Sutton, Suffolk, I spied this little fir growing in the dormant , quiet woodland. A truly magical moment that only the skill of seeing and not embellishing could capture.
Helena works mainly in oil paint. Often incorporating the scratching out of colours to get delicate details and fine highlights. Then adding watery glazes of oil colour to deepen the range of colours.
Here I wanted to capture that look of loyalty often seen in 'Man's Best Friend'. This beautiful Red Setter is patiently awaiting his owner's return home. I used strong light and shadow to get an Old Master feel to this portrait to avoid over cuteness.
Waiting... | Oil
$2,597
When it is her time to leave this world, she wants to do so knowing that she has left a legacy of paintings that inspire others to appreciate the true wonder and beauty of the natural world. Helena currently lives in Woodbridge, Suffolk, UK in splendid introversion and isolation.
Billy the Kid. | Oil
$2,850
This animal portrait is part of my 'Animal Farm 2022' series.
I wanted to capture the duality of the goat's personality. Despite their slightly satanic stare, goats are energetic and playful.
The goat was one of the first domesticated animals so has a wealth of folklore about it. A symbol of creativity and vitality to many. There is a roguish quality to him that I wanted to portray. There is also a hint o bars behind him. But, I don't feel he will be behind them long.
“Transitory and magical moments in nature and life that appear with the right lighting, colour, and atmospheric conditions are eternally inspiring. I believe that beauty can be found everywhere.”
Not a solo artist yet? Subscribe to our solo exhibitions at TERAVARNA and share your art with the world!