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.
kind words & Testimonials
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
A very interesting class I would definitely come again. Instructor Helen was very helpful and encouraging.
L K
It’s been great to really look at the object you are painting and see the pattern and subtle colours .
D D
Step back and see what you can achieve.
Doreen
Today’s art class was very informative good fun. Helen was first class at explaining and by example in painting.
Really enjoyed the experience … thank you.
J A
Today’s art class was very informative good fun. Helen was first class at explaining and by example in painting.
Really enjoyed the experience … thank you.
D H
I loved being able to let go … The freedom of creative thinking is so inspiring. Helen is a fantastic artist and support within our group.
I have really enjoyed the whole experience, which was a much needed diversion in the week.
Linda
Helen lends her creativity, knowledge, skill and love of art to passionate and eager blind and partially people to delve into a world they didn’t know was available to them opening imaginations and giving a platform to a new way of communicating.
She ignited a desire for people to do more and go further with their way of seeing – tempting out their ‘inner eye’.
Community Connection Coordinator, RNIB
Una Mulgrew
I felt the tutor made me feel relaxed and gave me a bit more confidence to paint. She is a lovely lady who I hope will do more classes.
It has been lovely to see how to develop the process of watercolour, how to transfer what you see into a painting.
P C
Helens tuition was perfect. I have never considered watercolours until now…. I will now have a new hobby.
Johnston Todd
Helen’s presence instantly soothes and puts you at ease. She makes you feel supported and inspired and is a wonderful teacher. You leave feeling uplifted – working with her is a joy.
Rachel
I have thoroughly enjoyed the course and Helen has wonderful skills.
Helen is very patient and makes the course very relaxing.
This is a great course. Thank you.
V H
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
