Helen Dougall
Lacons Barn, Wattisfield Road, Walsham le Willows, Bury St Edmunds IP31 3BD
Helen paints and draws from observation, out in the open seeking the way light affects surfaces in landscape and seascapes. Back in the studio she uses the medium of batik to explore cloud formations, perspective patterns across fields and the texture of stubble or ploughed fields or wet shiny shingle beaches.
Batik is a technique of painting and drawing hot wax onto fabric to mask areas or lines so that, when the piece is immersed or painted with dye, the waxed areas resist the dye and only the unwaxed areas absorb the colour. The method involves repeating wax and dye colours, and, finally, removing the wax to to reveal a richness of texture.
Helen studied fine art at Chelsea School of Art in the 60’s and taught art and design in schools and further education.
