artist and creative facilitator
Helen Bradbury
Artist
Helen Bradbury
Artist, printmaker, collaborator.
Working between studio, landscape, and community, Helen Bradbury creates work rooted in connection—between people, places, and the quiet stories that shape us. Her practice spans fine art, education, and healthcare, where creativity becomes a means of expression, healing, and belonging.
More
Helen Bradbury is a painter and printmaker whose work weaves together threads of place, people, and quiet transformation.
Born in the Midlands of England in 1963, Helen trained at Wolverhampton College of Art, graduating with First Class Honours in Fine Art. Under the guidance of tutors from the Royal College of Art, she honed a practice rooted in observation, reflection, and a deep sensitivity to materials and meaning.
Since moving to Northern Ireland in 1988, her creative path has unfolded in dialogue with landscape and community. From gallery walls to classroom tables, museum halls to hospital wards, Helen’s work reaches beyond the solitary studio. She has initiated and led countless art projects across County Down and Antrim and further afield, forging connections through creativity with people of all ages and abilities.
Her collaboration with the Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s Artists in Schools Programme extended her practice across the province, while partnerships with institutions such as the Dublin National Gallery, Downpatrick Museum, and Banbridge College enriched her role as an artist-educator.
In 1994, Helen began working with Arts Care, planting the seeds of a long-standing practice in healthcare settings. Here, she explores the quiet power of art to comfort, communicate, and transform, especially for those living with disability, illness, or vulnerability. This work remains at the heart of her artistic life.
Helen continues to exhibit widely, and her public and personal commissions emerge from conversations—with people, places, and memory. Each piece is a response, intimate and site-specific, connecting her creative voice with the world around her.
What Helen Offers
Helen Bradbury’s practice is grounded in presence, process, and connection—offering a range of creative pathways for individuals, communities, and organisations.
Artwork
Original works available for exhibition or purchase—pieces shaped by landscape, memory, and material. Each artwork holds a quiet, reflective dialogue with the world around it.
Personal Commissions
Helen creates bespoke pieces that are deeply personal and site-responsive. Through close conversation with clients, she crafts work that reflects story, setting, and spirit.
Exhibition Opportunities
Galleries, curators, and public venues are invited to explore exhibition partnerships. Helen’s work moves fluidly between fine art and socially engaged practice, offering rich potential for collaborative display.
Creative Facilitation
With a thoughtful and inclusive approach, Helen delivers workshops and projects that nurture creativity across age groups and abilities. Her facilitation extends into schools, community spaces, and healthcare environments.
Materials & Mediums
Paint – oil, watercolour, acrylic: fluid, layered, expressive.
Paper – drawing, collage: textured, fragmented, tactile.
Photography – a quiet lens on fleeting moments: light, shadow, and the poetry of the everyday.
Video – capturing the natural world and environmental stillness: light, rhythm, atmosphere.
Collaboration
Helen actively collaborates with individuals, communities, and health organisations. Her work is rooted in empathy, connection, and co-creation.
She holds full Public Liability Insurance.
Workshops With Helen Bradbury
2026 WATERCOLOUR AFTERNOONs
Now Booking and Ideal for Gifts or Shared Experiences.
This is an invitation and opportunity for to you to join me at Hidden Huntley just outside Belfast for an afternoon of watercolour painting in this beautiful garden setting.
No experience necessary – all materials and light refreshments will be provided.
Click the images to see more detail
Workshops With Helen Bradbury
WATERCOLOUR Painting in the Mournes
Now Booking and Ideal for Gifts or Shared Experiences.
This is an invitation and opportunity for to you to join me at a number of locations in the Mourne Mountains for an afternoon of watercolour painting in this beautiful landscape setting.
No experience necessary – all materials provided on request and further detail will be provided after booking.
Workshops With Helen Bradbury
Paint the Sunsets
Now Booking and Ideal for Gifts or Shared Experiences.
This is an invitation and opportunity for to you to join me to paint the sun setting at
Donnelly’s Farm Swatragh
10 Ballynain Lane, Swatragh BT46 5QP
Paint the sunsets in this tucked away location in Mid Ulster
No experience necessary – all materials provided on request and further detail will be provided after booking.
Workshops With Helen Bradbury
Painting Course
Now Booking and Ideal for Gifts or Shared Experiences.
Learn watercolour as a beginner in a 5 week course. Limited Places
Donnelly’s Farm Swatragh
10 Ballynain Lane, Swatragh BT46 5QP
Enjoy this this tucked away location in Mid Ulster
No experience necessary – all materials provided on request and further detail will be provided after booking.
📍 Location: 10 Ballynain Lane, Swatragh BT46 5QP
🕒 Time: Mondays 2-4pm September 7th /14th/21st & 28th
Contact studio@helenbradburyartist.com for further enquiry
kind words & Testimonials
Very enjoyable art class … Hope there will be many more.
C. Williamson
Helen always knew I was capable of creating something wonderful, even when I didn’t believe it myself. She has confidence in me and that means a lot.
E, 14 yo
Found it very relaxing and enjoyable. The instructions and techniques were easy to followed I found it quick to pick up. Lovely teacher very friendly and warm.
Charis Ward
This has been a most enjoyable course -thanks to the skill and temperament of Helen, our teacher. I haven’t painted since school days and the teacher spotted no talent then but each week I have painted something acceptable. It has been a worthwhile course and I look forwards to being able to continue.
Rosemary Butler
Helen is very good at adjusting to the mood of the room, if she feels like everyone is having a tired day she will create a very relaxed activity and is always thinking on her feet which is a brilliant trait.
Day Coordinator, The Base, Ballycastle
Ellie Anna
Found this class very enjoyable it will encourage me to try this at home. Thank you for your patience and encouragement.
Esther McDowell
Very mindful and creative – great way to spend an afternoon!
M D
Thoroughly enjoyed the class and learnt so much about colour mixing, layering paint light and shadow. Helen was so patient and sensitive with everyone very encouraging throughout the course. Thank you so much.
Elspeth
Definitely thoroughly enjoyed the art class …. Discovered less is more.
L R
I really enjoyed the course. I found the way of teaching really easy to understand so I was able to do more than I thought. I also found it really relaxing and was able to focus just to n what I was doing, which is something I find hard to do with a busy life.
I would love to do further courses to learn more from the tutor.
G M
I really enjoyed the class after almost giving up the first week. I came back to find Helen very encouraging. A lovely atmosphere
Barbara Brock
As a therapist participating in the group, to have someone adjust and understand what kind of creative medium I need felt very safe. I always came away feeling lighter and that I had left something behind that had took on a whole new meaning for me.
Occupational Therapist, CAHMS
Laura Docherty
figurative work
HB
Graphite paint metallic pigment on paper 30x92cm
HB
HB
metatic pigment compressed charcoal and oil on paper 36x40cm
Videos
Videos on Youtube by helen bradbury
'snapshots of thought'
Including Painting Detail
Original work for sale
