Dandelions and Double Yellows - A Three Day Residency with Helen Thomas

We were so pleased to be joined by artist, Helen Thomas on our Green UPLIFT, ‘Dandelions and Double Yellows, a three-day residency with Helen Thomas.

Helen is Yorkshire based visual artist, working predominantly with painting and drawing, her work explores responses to plants in the environment.

Much of Helen’s work focuses on noticing nature that emerges through urban landscapes. Nature returning and reclaiming. Many plants are regarded as weeds, but if we take the time to really look at them, we can find the beauty within them. Being mindful of these beautiful little still lives in the cracks and the walls around urban environments, Helen's work encourages us to recognize the value in these scenes when we take the time to notice nature breaking through.

Helen’s 2021 project, Dandelions and Double Yellows is described as an art, nature and noticing project.

“The project is an invitation to take time to notice and reconsider the plants growing on pavements, and in our everyday surroundings. These plants, which are often overlooked or dismissed as weeds, can contribute to urban biodiversity as well as bringing colour and interest to our neighbourhoods, villages and towns.”

Inspired by Helen’s work we took to the streets and yards and also found ourselves in the calm of the graveyard which made for a serene setting for sketching wild plants. UPLIFTER’s enjoyed the peace and quiet this provided whilst still being very much in the middle of the Town. As well as finding poison ivy, the group researched various wild plants sharing their properties, an exchange of information.

The residency also featured mindful poetry; UPLIFTER’s were encouraged to find a word for the day and really tune into what was happening in the environment. Taking three words from each participant, the group created some very insightful and amusing poems.

The work that came out of this residency was really incredible. UPLIFTER’s learnt some great new techniques which included drawing with very fine sticks and dragging water and then dipping ink to create fine, beautiful lines that could be used for drawing the roots and the finer parts of flowers.

Helen also showed some of her pieces from the Dandelions and Double Yellows exhibition at Wakefield Cathedral. Long, thin pieces designed to hang from the pillars of the Cathedral. All were in agreement, extraordinary work!

A big thank you to Helen for a fantastic residency, a real highlight in the calendar.

You can read more about Helen’s work on her website: http://www.toastedorange.co.uk/