I take inspiration from the flowers, vegetables and fruit that I grow in my garden, from elegant foxgloves to wonky carrots. I’m interested in processes in nature such as growth and decay, the beauty of imperfection, and Fibonacci spirals which appear in so many plants, such as the centre of sunflowers or the structure of pinecones. I aim to stretch people to see nature differently, and often paint enlarged closeups of flowers, creating a child’s eye view – evoking that time in life when we had the curiosity and leisure to stop and stare. Basically, my paintings say “take a breath from the bustle of life and have a look”.
With a degree in Environmental Science I started my career as a journalist and nature writer, before moving into the crazy world of film making as a script supervisor. However, the long hours of film shoots were not compatible with family life, so I started learning botanical illustration when my eldest child was a baby. Rather than doing essential household tasks whilst she slept, I painted.
Consequently, my house was – and still is – a mess. When my youngest child started school I completed a two-year diploma in botanical illustration with the Society of Botanical Artists. Initially working in watercolour, I have moved into oils as well as mixed media. I sell cards, prints and originals in a variety of sizes, and carry out commissions.
email: helen_andre@hotmail.com
