Artist of the Month – June

Helen Pettigrew

What are you working on now?
I have just completed a series of watercolours of Barnes and Richmond park for a private client who is leaving the area. I am also exploring Barnes Common in different media as part of a project with Barnes Artists.

How has lockdown affected your work?
Commissions continued as usual but I found lockdown hugely frustrating with regard to creativity. With the whole family at home, it was almost impossible to find the headspace and the actual space to work on an overflow of ideas and emotions.

Recent technical discovery?
I am obsessed with the photographic printing process known as cyanotypes. These use the power of the sun to develop the chemicals, creating the most gorgeous tones of cyan blue. I think it was a natural progression from working with compressed charcoal and experimenting with depths of tone.

Favourite artist?
I love a wide eclectic range and have missed the inspiration found from visiting art galleries. With my current fascination in tonal depths and darkness, I do love the treatment of the Thames in Whistler’s Nocturnes and Grimshaw’s moonlit paintings.

Colour you can't do without?
Paynes grey - it’s a glorious deep blue grey which is great for thundery skies and shadows.

Plein Air or Studio?
Studio but plan to brave Plein Air more in the near future!

Barnes Secret for an artist?
The Thames side of the Leg o’ Mutton nature reserve.

Favourite piece of kit?
My cupboard of colours in all sorts of media I’ve stockpiled over the decades.

What makes Barnes special to an artist?
The light, the river, the history and the support of Barnes Artists

Next show?
Barnes Common show this summer. I am also planning to hold a solo-exhibition in the Autumn.