Helen Pakeman
Personal Statement
Coming to the world of professional art relatively late in life has been a particular joy, taking me on a stimulating journey where I am constantly learning. I love to experiment with techniques and merge the boundaries between drawing, printing and painting.
My ambition? To be able to continue enjoying this new found world, and reach a wider audience with my pictures. And to keep being excited by learning new ways of working.
Exhibitions
| Date | Exhibition |
|---|---|
| 2011 | |
| December | WestOxArts: Portraits (dates to be announced) |
| October | Faringdon, Oxon: Faringdon Art Society Annual Exhibition |
| September | Portwell Angel, Faringdon: Solo Exhibition This was quite a difficult hang, because of light from multiple windows. I received lots of positive feedback from unexpected sources which was brilliant. |
| July | O3 Gallery, Oxford: 5th Anniversary Exhibition Unfortunately I could not really engage with the event this year as I was on full time nursing duties. |
| June | Coleshill, Oxon: Printers |
| May | Longcot, Oxon: Oxfordshire Artweeks I was exhibiting with Mosaicist, a Silk Painter and Stonecarver and found hanging the work quite a challenge. The demonstrations were really well received. |
| 2010 | |
| September | Swindon, Wilts: Swindon Open Studios Unfortunately there were still too few visitors to justify the effort. |
| May | Longcot, Oxon: Oxfordshire Artweeks Demonstrations this year for first time which were of real interest to the public, a real bonus. |
| 2009 | |
| October | Faringdon, Oxon: Faringdon Art Society Annual Exhibition I won the ‘Linda Harding Cup’ |
| September | Swindon, Wilts: Swindon Open Studios First time for this event but unfortunately it was not well attended which was very disappointing. |
| May | Longcot, Oxon: Oxfordshire Artweeks New venue with excellent light, which was great. We worked hard on the publicity which paid off. |
| 2008 | |
| Nov–Jan | O3 Gallery, Oxford: ‘Face to Face’ Solo Exhibition Oh the pleasure of making the work and then handing it over to a gallery to do all the rest! |
| May | Longcot, Oxon: Oxfordshire Artweeks Increasingly a pleasure; meeting interested and interesting people. |
| June | WestOxArts Group Show Difficult hang, as so much work of mixed styles and quality. Reminded me of RA Summer Exhibition (did I say that?) |
| 2007 | |
| May | Longcot, Oxon: Oxfordshire Artweeks My first Artweeks exhibition. We are a bit out on a limb geographically, so not many visitors, but good sales in spite of it. |
| Jan-Mar | ICIA Artspace at Bath University Prestigious space, and my work looked great. Nice on the CV! |
| 2006 | |
| July | University of Bath, Wilts: Fine Art Drawing Practice Degree Show I won the Sponsors prize for ‘Best Artist in Show’ and sold all but two of my paintings with two further commissions. I felt like I had arrived! |
| 2002 | |
| June | Abingdon College, Oxon: Foundation Exhibition This exhibition was the most accelerated learning of my life to this point. |
Additional Work and Activities
Commissions on an ongoing basis, as one would expect.
I organise the design and production of a range of Christmas Cards for the Charity ‘Wells for India’ which I have done now for three years.
It is an interesting exercise attempting to make the images both ‘Indian’ and ‘Christmassy’. Some cards I design and others I cajole other artist friends to produce. This work makes a significant contribution to the income of the Charity.
In 2009 I was lucky enough to travel to India with the Charity, visiting projects and meeting villagers in the Thar Desert in Rajasthan. The visit was physically and emotionally demanding, but provided fascinating insight and allowed me to go to places no tourist would visit.
I have worked with Faringdon Family Centre as a volunteer in past years, and more recently set up a workshop to make 3 large banners to decorate their main working space. I designed and organised the making, finished the work and hung the banners.
I have this year (2011) taken on the post of Treasurer for Faringdon Art Society and in 2009 I agreed to act as Membership Secretary for WestOxArts in Bampton. Both posts are voluntary.
Professional Development
- Oct 2011 – New Brewery Arts, Cirencester
Drawing classes with Celestino Valentino.
Planning to follow up next term with ‘Life Drawing’ with the same tutor. - Feb 2011 – West Dean College
Residential course – small sculptures in alabaster
I was really interested to look at 3D work as I have always operated in 2D with the illusion of 3D! Could I do it? And, gratifyingly, I found I could make a reasonable attempt. - I do my best to keep up with Exhibitions, and am a member of Tate.
- I am also a Member of NADFAS and attend monthly lectures on a variety of fine art topics, Study Days etc.
