A Window into Skirrid Gallery and Studio: A Chat with Helen Arthur

This month, we also had the pleasure of catching up with the artist behind Skirrid Gallery and Studio, Helen Arthur. Nestled in the rolling borderlands of the Black Mountains, Helen’s creative practice is rooted in printmaking, painting, and a deep connection to her landscape. Her work explores the textures, shapes, and rhythms of nature, with trees often taking centre stage.

Finding Creativity in Everyday Life

Helen. first turned to printmaking as a way to balance the intensity of parenting young children. What began as a hobby soon blossomed into something more, a meaningful creative outlet that grew alongside her family life.

She began printmaking around 2016 and, like many artists, found her practice shifting during lockdown. With a little more time and space, she began exploring painting, adding a new dimension to her work.

Much of her learning has come through short courses, but Helen also brings a storytelling element to her art, having studied for an MA in Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia. When asked what this creative journey has felt like, she simply says: “Exhilarating.” Helen describes herself as “an obsessive” and it’s easy to see how passionate she is about making.

Nature, Ink, and the Joy of Process

Living on the Welsh border, surrounded by the wild beauty of the Black Mountains, Helen draws daily inspiration from the land around her. She often heads out into the landscape before starting work, something she sees as a vital part of her creative rhythm.

That sense of place echoes through her favourite subject matter: trees. From their quiet presence to their expressive forms, they’re a recurring theme in her prints and paintings.

As for materials, she’s all about ink, its fluidity, its immediacy, and its ability to capture the energy of a moment. She works from Skirrid Studio in Longtown, a space that’s both a private creative haven and a welcoming place where she teaches others.

Turning Points, Challenges and Triumphs

Opening her studio to the public in 2019 marked a big step for Helen, sharing her space as a tutor brought new energy and ideas. Then the pandemic hit, forcing her to close the doors temporarily. But she took that disruption as an opportunity to explore and experiment.

Helen’s creative path hasn’t always been smooth. “It sometimes feels like two steps forward, one step back,” she admits, especially when working with new materials. But those challenges are part of the process, and her recent success proves how far she’s come. Two of her large works have been selected for the Wales Contemporary 2025 exhibition, chosen from over 1,600 entries. A massive achievement, and well earned.

Studio Life, Soundtracks and Salted Nuts

Life as a working artist and tutor means Helen’s schedule weaves around her family and teaching commitments. She tries to ring-fence weekday mornings for creativity and always carves out time to walk in the hills—feeding both her body and her imagination.

When she’s working, there’s often a podcast playing in the background—usually something about art. “No rest for the wicked,” she laughs.

And what keeps her fuelled in the studio? A mug of decaf with oat milk, and a good handful of salted peanuts.

We’re delighted to be showing a collection of Helen Arthur’s work here at The Artists Gallery as part of our spring exhibition. Her expressive prints and paintings, inspired by the Black Mountains landscape, are even more powerful when seen up close, the textures, layers, and quiet energy really come to life.

Whether you're already a fan of her work or discovering it for the first time, we’d love for you to pop in and experience it in person.

You’ll find us open Monday to Saturday 9am - 5pm and on Sundays from 10am - 4:40pm.

Can’t make it to the gallery just yet? You can explore more of Helen’s work online at www.helenarthur.art or over on Instagram: @helenarthurart