Helen White

Panel of hand-painted tiles for Leighton House

Biography

Helen White MA RMS HSDAD

Helen White is a professional artist who uses traditional methods of working. Often inspired by medieval designs, her work includes Gold Leaf Illuminations, Ceramic Tiles and Coasters, and Greetings Cards.

Helen's work is frequently inspired by medieval designs, and sources include wood- and stone-carvings, tiles, fabrics, paintings, architecture and glass. Like the medieval craftsmen, she also looks to Creation for inspiration. Geometry underpins Creation - from the tiniest flower (and smaller) to the movement of the planets - and is a reflection of the beauty of Divine order. Using geometric proportions helps give harmony to designs.

Helen was born and educated in Chesham, Buckinghamshire. She studied Calligraphy, Illumination and Heraldry at Reigate School of Art, obtaining a First Class Diploma. She then worked free-lance on a variety of commissions.

In 2005 Helen began a two year, full-time Masters Degree at The Prince's School of Traditional Arts, which she gained with Distinction in 2007, specialising in Gold Leaf Illumination and Ceramic Tiles.

Helen now works free-lance as an Illuminator, Designer and Ceramic Artist. She teaches Medieval Manuscript Illumination on the MA course and the Open Programme at The Prince's Foundation School of Traditional Arts, and has assisted on PSTA workshops in Paris, Brunei and Oman, and also at Art in Action, Oxford.

Ceramic Commissions include:
-The Integrated Health Awards 2007 and 2008
-The Arab-British Culture and Society Award 2009
-Panel of hand painted tiles for Leighton House to commemorate the visit of HRH The Prince of Wales in May 2010 (illustrated above)

Exhibitions:
-Helen is a Member of the Royal Miniature Society, and shows work in their Annual Exhibition at The Mall Galleries, London each October - for dates, see 'Exhibitions' page.
-One of Helen's miniature paintings was included in an exhibition which celebrated the 60th Birthday of HRH The Prince of Wales, at Windsor Castle in 2008-9.

Design Work includes the Medal for The Prince of Wales Medal for Arts Philanthropy.

Helen sells her Ceramics and Cards at Local Produce Markets in Buckinghamshire; see the 'Exhibitions etc' page for details.