FEATURED ARTISTHelen Hayhoe

Always drawing as a child, I survived art A Level with the nuns but was told
that ‘technical drawing is not for girls’ when I made my bid to join classes at
the boys’ school.

Fast forward a whole teaching & academic /career in which I made big use of art with people with severe disabilities, including the use of Makaton sign and visual symbols for communication. Those years were supplemented by Heatherley’s summer schools, local classes and West Dean College.

I have lived in the borough for decades, and at retirement went straight to Foundation at the Art School at RHACC. I was then accepted for Post Graduate Diploma at West Dean College, but Covid and family commitments intervened. I’m still hoping, but meanwhile local classes, more West Dean and more plucking of opportunities where I find them have to do.

Urban Sketching is a global phenomenon, and I am one of the admins of the London Chapter. We meet monthly somewhere in London to sketch or paint together. Up to 100 people come each time; the only rule is to draw what you see. Every type of person, medium and style is reflected – the architects trying to be looser, and loose people like me trying to catch that elusive precision.

We organised a big exhibition this year at The Art Pavilion in Mile End Park, and created a book for our 10 year anniversary.

I also sketch with the Urban Sketchers New York City chapter where my family is based. Drawing and painting en Plein Air is definitely my thing, and I go out locally with the RAS group on Tuesdays. I appreciate the friendship, inspiration and the connection with others. I am a member of Kingston Artists Open Studios and have shown with them and with the Richmond Art House. I have been one of the admin team at RAS – organising the selection panel of Richmond Art Society made me appreciate the talent we have here and personally continue to appreciate the fresh rather than the photographic.

I exhibit with the Richmond Art Society and also in connection with The People Hive in Twickenham where I was recently ‘Artist of the Week’. I had 5 seconds of fame with Baroness Joan Bakewell as a wildcard on Landscape Artist of the Year. I have steady sales of cards and small prints and the occasional original. I have had several important commissions resulting from bereavements where I was asked to paint a special tree, or a certain dog in Bushy Park.

I work in watercolour, acrylic and charcoal and generally have a tiny kit with me. I love a concertina format. I am always conscious that my style is not fixed but defend my eclectic style – I like to respond to what I see, and to use media that works for the moment (I learnt that charcoal powder isn’t for Plein Air).

I am still waiting for that technical drawing class.