PROFILE
Helen West is an Australian artist who comes from a family of artists. Her father was an artist and her mother made beautiful original embroidery. As a family they spent many a Sunday at the NSW Art Gallery where Helen was introduced to the world of art. Helen’s early working life was in legal offices, after which she owned and operated an arts and craft gallery. After her children grew up she turned to painting full time.
Helen has a passion for portraiture but also works in still life painting. She works in oils and in pastels. Helen West has been in group exhibitions since 2001 and has received numerous regional awards.
TRAINING
1990s- A General Art Course at St George Technical College – Distinction in Advanced Commercial Needlecraft – Distinction. Attended painting and drawing workshops with artists John Wilson, Paul Newton, Dave Thomas and Susan Cesarini.
In 2005 she won a scholarship and used the award for a one week workshop with Fu Hong.
She also has completed an airbrushing course and is refining her skills in this medium.
AWARDS
2012 – First prize Portraiture Liverpool Annual Art Show
2010 – First prize Portraiture Rotary Art Prize – Liverpool
2009 – Commended Bekerlow Art Prize – Bowral
2006 – Commended Still Life – Bankstown Art Society
2006 – First Portraiture – Bankstown Art Society
2006 – First Works on Pater – Bankstown Art Society
2005 – Winner of scholarship – Liverpool Annual Art Show
2004 – Commended Pastel Section – Combined Art Societies show
2004 – First Pastel Section – Liverpool Art Show
2004 – First Pastel Section – Bankstown Art Show
2004 – First Still Life – Bankstown Art Show
2004 – Encouragement Award – Liverpool ali show
2003 – Overall second – Bankstown Art Show
2002 – Highly commended – Fishers Ghost Award
2001 – 2001 Commended – Liverpool Arts Festival
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2012 – Finalist in the Shirley Hannan National Portrait Award
2012 – Finalist Mortimer Art Prize