HELEN HARDING

Helen has always enjoyed drawing and painting. She has become self-taught over many years of trial and error, supplemented by various evening classes. Her favourite medium is oil although her work includes other materials depending on the subject.

She enjoys painting both urban and rural landscapes, flowers and animals. However it was whilst working for British Waterways at Braunston, Northants that she discovered the beauty and fascination of the canals. Intrigued by their historical background, unique way of life, contrasting rural tranquillity and harsh industrial landscapes, they inevitably became a subject for her paintings. Her love of old narrowboats was instrumental in developing the old Braunston Boat Show into the largest gathering of working boats in the country.

She has exhibited at various local shows and Guild events including the Braunston Boat Show, London Canal Museum and IWA National Festival.

She now lives in rural Somerset working from home running a small family business selling authentic and bespoke model railway wagons (www.wessexwagons.co.uk), painting whenever time permits. and looking after her husband, young son, half a dozen marauding chickens and three crazy rabbits."