Helen Cottle was born in bay side Williamstown, Victoria in 1962, she is a self-taught/self-educated artist who paints in all mediums in a realist/impressionist style. Helens artistic life began in early childhood; she would spend many hours drawing from life always seeking new subject matter. What began as a part time hobby over time evolved into a passion to express herself creativity in whatever medium called on to compliment the chosen subject. Helen was greatly encouraged by her high school art teachers to pursue a career in art and teaching; however she decided not to continue on and study art at university but decided to follow her own path of self education and exploration. She attended local art groups and began seeking out tutors to further her technical knowledge and understanding of certain mediums. She has been inspired by various artists past and present, choosing the works of Arthur Streeton, John Singer-Sargent, Harold Herbert closely studying their brushstrokes and techniques. Initially she experimented and then concentrated on oil painting for 5 years and eventually changed focus and decided to specialise in watercolour for which extended for the next 20years. Helen has recently moved into acrylic and mixed media. No matter which medium is chosen, she believes that having a fascination with the effects of light on a subject and observing life’s intriguing details, everyday views can be transformed into dynamic and interesting works of art. Helen’s career began as an Artist and Art educator, with no formal training, just an eagerness to continue to learn and then pass on her gained knowledge to others, encouraging them to enjoy the world of art.
Helen is currently working as a professional Artist/Art educator in the Macedon ranges north/west of Melbourne.
And is she is a popular and sort after tutor/teacher. Helen currently works from her own Art studio in Gisborne, where she conducts classes and workshops teaching drawing and painting in watercolour, acrylic and mixed media.
She also runs workshops throughout Victoria and interstate. Helen has also tutored for the National Gallery of Victoria conducting a watercolour workshops to coincide with ‘Seeing the centre’ Albert Namatjira watercolour exhibition in 2003, with ‘The Modern Britain’s’ exhibition 2008 and again in 2011 for the Gustave Moreau exhibition. Helen currently tutors for the Art scene Mitchell School of Art, Bathurst, Art in Action, Kurrajong, Dookie Art Attack, Sheparton & Grafton Arts fest, Grafton.
Helen is a member of AGRA (Australian guild of realist artists), Macedon Ranges Art group, and the Woodend Art Group.
Helen has held several solo and joint exhibitions that have all been very successful with many sales and commissions extending from them. She participates in many art shows and competitions such as Camberwell Rotary art show; St Kevin’s College Art Show and regularly receives awards, prizes and commendations.
Recent works can be viewed at, HD Gallery Woodend, Without Pier Gallery, Cheltenham & Hampton, Manynug Gallery, Mt Eliza, Ecliptic Gallery Armadale, Mad Gallery Lancefield, Pantechnicon Gallery Daylesford and her private studio in Gisborne, by appointment. 0407679339
EXHIBITIONS
2011 Opened private Gallery in Woodend with Dawn Robinson
Manyung Gallery, July exhibition
Without Pier Gallery, Watercolour show
Without Pier Gallery Joint show with Richard Chamerski
2010 Special Invitation, Guest Artist (1 of 35)
International Shanghai watercolour Biennial Exhibition China
2009 Deans Art award Camberwell rotary Art Show
Best Watercolour Bacchus Marsh art show
Group Watercolour show Without Pier Cheltenham
‘May Show’, Manyung Gallery Mt Eliza
2008 “Femme Fatale” Artist Realm Gallery Gisborne.
A Walk of art, Queen Victoria Women’s Centre Melbourne
2007 “The Carriers Exhibition”MacedonRangesShire Project
Joint Exhibition Artists Realm Gallery Gisborne
Solo Feature Exhibition The Gallery Mt Macedon
2005 Mc Cubbin 150th joint exhibition Romsey {NGV}
2004 Three Points of View Exhibition Heathcote Winery
2002 Twin Pursuits Joint exhibition Tin Shed Art Malmsbury
2001 Solo Exhibition Mt Aitkin Winery Gallery Gisborne
1999 Solo Exhibition Gisborne
1998 JointExhibitionGisbornePrimary School
1997 People & PlacesSoloExhibitionMowbrayCollegeMelton
1995 Endless Possibilities Solo Exhibition FinchesGalleryMacedon
1994 Images inWatercolourSoloExhibitionMowbrayCollege
1992 Joint Exhibition Black Forest Gallery Gisborne
1991 Joint Exhibition Black Forest Gallery Gisborne
AWARDS AND PRIZES
2011 Best watercolour Kilmore art expo
Best Watercolour Altona rotary Art show
2010 Best local Artist Woodend lions Art show
2nd Oil Bacchus Marsh Rotary Art show
Best Watercolour Kiwanis Art show
2009 Deans Art award,Camberwell Rotary Art Show
Best WatercolourBacchus Marsh Rotary Art show
2008 Best in Show Kiwanis Art Show, Sunbury
Best Watercolour, Kiwanis Art Show Sunbury
Highly Commended &Sponsors Choice
Altona Rotary Art show
Best local Content & people’s choice award Bacchus Marsh
Rotary Art show.
Highly commended Kilmore Arts expo
2007 Best Williamstown Subject Altona Rotary Art Show
Acquisition Award Altona Rotary Art Show & highly com.
MabbieAtkinsonAwardMitchellSchoolof Art. Winter school
Best Acrylic and Peoples choice Awards TRATA Art Show
Ist Prize Oil/Acr Bacchus Marsh Rotary Art Show
2006 Best in show Kiwanis Art Show Sunbury
Best Watercolour Kiwanis Art Show Sunbury
2005 Highly Commended Bacchus Marsh Rotary Art Show
Highly Commended Woodend Lions Art Show
2004 Peoples Choice Award Trentham Art Show
Highly Commended Trentham Art Show
Peoples Choice Macedon Ranges Art Group Show
2nd Prize Watercolour Bacchus Marsh Rotary Art Show
Best Watercolour Kiwani’s Art Show Sunbury
2003 Highly commended Bacchus Marsh Rotary Art Show
Best Local Artist Woodend Lions Art Show
Best Watercolour Kiwani’s Art Show
2002 Acquisition Prize Bacchus Marsh Rotary Art Show
2000 Best Watercolour Bacchus Marsh Rotary Art Show
Highly Commended Bacchus Marsh Rotary Art Show
Best Watercolour Woodend Lions Art Show
Highly Commended Woodend Lions Art Show
1999 Highly Commended Camberwell Rotary Art Show
1998 Watercolour Prize Woodend Lions Art Show
Best Local Artist Melton Art Show
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Helen Cottle in Australian Watercolour Muster