About Helen Lockwood

I discovered oil painting at 13, and from the very beginning was drawn to landscapes. Despite pressure during my A Level art studies to adopt darker themes, I held onto my love for light, nature, and impressionism. Inspired by artists like Monet, Turner, and the romanticism of the Pre-Raphaelites, I’ve developed a style rooted in modern impressionism, recently influenced by artists like Erin Hanson and the aesthetics of wide-angle photography and social media composition. Though I studied Ecology at university and pursued a professional career in organic horticulture, painting has always remained close to my heart. My scientific background, understanding of botany, geology, and habitats, deepens my connection to the landscapes I paint. I found my own artistic voice using a colourful, loose, expressive style that balances fine detail with movement and atmosphere. I live in Exmoor National Park, and my recent series of oil paintings celebrates this uniquely dramatic and beautiful landscape, from the ancient oak woodlands of Horner Wood to the craggy coastal formations at Combe Martin and Valley of Rocks. Painting en plein air is a growing passion, and I’m excited to spend more time outdoors this summer, capturing light and form directly from nature.