Sit Down With Our #090 Featured Artist

Helen Jones

Featured Artist / #117 ScrawlrBox 

I’ve always been passionate about animals and wildlife and my career has involved working both as a Veterinary surgeon and as a lecturer in animal and veterinary qualifications. Living between the Yorkshire Wolds, Moors and Dales, I spend much of my free time in the countryside watching wild animals and birds, so wildlife photography and art were a natural progression as hobbies.

My love of nature inspires me to capture the moments that I’ve been fortunate enough to witness. I aim to show the sense of wonder I experience when encountering wildlife, as well as the character and beauty of the subject.

Each image I make tells a story of a moment that I’ve been privileged enough to experience and I love being able to share the beauty and excitement of these wildlife encounters with others.

Well hello Helen! Thank you for agreeing to our featured artist! What was your first reaction when we reached out?

Sheer terror! Followed swiftly by “Are you sure you’re not mixing me up with someone else?

Where did your journey as an artist begin?

or me the creative vision came first - I wanted to show artistically the character and beauty of the wildlife I've loved since I was a small child, and the wonder I feel when encountering wild animals and birds.

The wildlife photography I started 18 years ago quickly evolved to become more creative and people commented on my artistic style. However, for every award-winning photo I make, there are hundreds of moments when the hare runs out of the picturesque flower meadow into a muddy field, where it turns away or the golden light disappears just as you get the camera to your eye. I suspect people who don't see the point of photorealistic wildlife art ("why not just take a photo") have never tried making artistic wildlife photography - it isn't as easy as it sounds! 

A gift of soft pastels in 2019 inspired me to sketch from my photos, and I discovered that with art I can recreate the experiences that I photographed in my mind when I couldn't with my camera, using either photorealistic or more expressive styles to suit the memory and character of the wildlife.

Is there a particular art movement or artist that inspires you?

I find inspiration in different forms of art from Andy Scott's sculptures to John Piper's stained glass, and fine art photography to impressionist painters. It's important to me to use my own photos as references whenever I can to remind me of my experiences and the character of my subject, but the feelings evoked by different art forms synergise with my memories to help me express my encounters in creative ways.

If you could pass on one piece of advice to a beginner artist out there, what would it be?

Experiment with different styles and materials and don't get stuck in a comfort zone. By trying different things you develop new skills and techniques you can combine in novel ways to fulfil your vision.

What do you love most about working with the Conte Pastel Pencils?

I was surprised by how soft they were and how well they lay down colour compared to pastel pencils I’ve used before. Also the yellow is beautifully rich and sunny and the Bordeaux helped me create pinks for animal ears and noses as well as dark red-brown coat colours.

What is your favourite surface/canvas you like to work on?

Clairefontaine Pastelmat. Prior to discovering it I just couldn’t create the art I wanted to with pastels, and it totally transformed my experience, which is why I wanted Scrawlrs to be able to try it. It's very different to other surfaces - the tooth holds so many layers for detailed pastel or coloured pencil work - ideal for wildlife art.

Where is your happy place?

Somewhere remote in nature - beside a loch watching an otter, or on upland moors watching hares - always watching wildlife with my camera and a sketching kit.

What does a typical weekend look like for you?

 I try to get out early to see wildlife while it's quiet, either on a dog walk or a quiet drive. Then back home to 'art'. You may be noticing a slight animal theme here....