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
I found the course very interesting learning to use paints and various colours. I am currently recovering from spinal surgery and have chronic pain daily and sleep poorly due to this which can be debilitating. Therefore for me this workshop has helped to take my mind off my ongoing symptoms.
I thoroughly enjoyed meeting new people band the tutor and artist were great, very helpful and engaging with everyone.
I have been recently retired under medical grounds due to my condition and would love to get involved in more classes.
J K
Thank you for a wonderful few weeks. I have so looked forward to these afternoon painting sessions. I had no previous ecperience and have been amazed at what `Helen has been able to draw out of me ! Her enthusiasm is infectious and her temperament is delightful -so encouraging. I leave each session so much calmer and happier than when I arrived. The other ladies in the group have been great company too. I would 100% recommend Helen and the class 100%.
Anon
Learnt a lot… Hope there will be more. Helen a great teacher. Very relaxing
Christina 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
A very interesting class I would definitely come again. Instructor Helen was very helpful and encouraging.
L K
I found these classes to be so helpful in many ways! Helen brings a very calm, reflective and serene atmosphere. Her demonstrations are so instructive and helpful to watch, besides being so calming. I enjoy the 2 hours of complete joy being free form any responsibility of caring. I have learned so much that I hope to be able to keep putting into practice. These classes have been exceptionally enjoyable and valuable to me personally.
Thank you
Maureen Butler
I got to try something new, had fun and learned new things. It was a really enjoyable class and I would go again.
Ella McDowell
Thank you for your time to teach me watercolours. Learning a new skill about watercolours and lighting.
Daniel’s partner
The class was very informative and enjoyable. I grasped the concept of watercolourpainting. Helen was very good at explaining what to do.
Daphne McMaw
Truly mesmerising and intriguing – Art that makes you think and rewards looking.
Brilliant, well done.
R W
Really enjoyed our painting classes it makes me feel relaxed and is something to look forward to. I have grown with confidence every week.
Helen is very good and makes me feel comfortable. I really appreciate these classes.
W Keen
It really helped me to understand colours better.
Daniel
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
