Helen Orton
@helenorton1.bsky.social
Figurative painter translating photographs and art historical references into paintings that explore the complexities of living in a chaotic and uncertain world.
helenorton.uk
helenorton.uk
Stranger to Ourselves
Oil on canvas 70x60cm
An exploration of the double, the divided self and the shadow self. What is the personae we show to others and is it truly who we are?
Oil on canvas 70x60cm
An exploration of the double, the divided self and the shadow self. What is the personae we show to others and is it truly who we are?
October 28, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Stranger to Ourselves
Oil on canvas 70x60cm
An exploration of the double, the divided self and the shadow self. What is the personae we show to others and is it truly who we are?
Oil on canvas 70x60cm
An exploration of the double, the divided self and the shadow self. What is the personae we show to others and is it truly who we are?
A painting I’ve just about finished, though they are never finished for me. Don’t we all wear masks whether to fit in or just get through? #WomensArt
July 12, 2025 at 7:06 PM
A painting I’ve just about finished, though they are never finished for me. Don’t we all wear masks whether to fit in or just get through? #WomensArt
I admit that I approach the painting of a self portrait with trepidation, the unease caused by having to face the realities of my appearance. But then appearance is an interesting word to describe the way we look as it has a performative aspect to it.
April 16, 2025 at 4:14 PM
I admit that I approach the painting of a self portrait with trepidation, the unease caused by having to face the realities of my appearance. But then appearance is an interesting word to describe the way we look as it has a performative aspect to it.
The Conversation
Oil on canvas 61x50.8cm
Perhaps in this case, she doesn’t want to look in the mirror, perhaps a rejection of looking at oneself.
Oil on canvas 61x50.8cm
Perhaps in this case, she doesn’t want to look in the mirror, perhaps a rejection of looking at oneself.
April 14, 2025 at 5:10 PM
The Conversation
Oil on canvas 61x50.8cm
Perhaps in this case, she doesn’t want to look in the mirror, perhaps a rejection of looking at oneself.
Oil on canvas 61x50.8cm
Perhaps in this case, she doesn’t want to look in the mirror, perhaps a rejection of looking at oneself.
The Picture has been Taken
Oil on canvas
50x60cm
Oil on canvas
50x60cm
April 2, 2025 at 6:38 PM
The Picture has been Taken
Oil on canvas
50x60cm
Oil on canvas
50x60cm
March 19, 2025 at 7:38 PM
March 15, 2025 at 5:02 PM
My first solo exhibition will be at The Base, Newbury, UK from 18th to 30th March.
February 27, 2025 at 4:50 PM
My first solo exhibition will be at The Base, Newbury, UK from 18th to 30th March.
February 22, 2025 at 10:20 AM
I think this painting is just about finished…
Oil on board
35 x 28 com
Oil on board
35 x 28 com
February 17, 2025 at 4:15 PM
I think this painting is just about finished…
Oil on board
35 x 28 com
Oil on board
35 x 28 com
I Cannot Hear Her Voice
Oil on canvas
40 x 50 cm
Oil on canvas
40 x 50 cm
February 14, 2025 at 5:11 PM
I Cannot Hear Her Voice
Oil on canvas
40 x 50 cm
Oil on canvas
40 x 50 cm
She Feared Unease was the Cost of Curiosity
Oil on canvas 50x60cm
I’ve been looking again at the inspirational song lyrics of David Bowie and it seems to me that he had a gift for identifying the zeitgeist of the times. I wonder if unease is the zeitgeist of our own time?
#art #oilpainting
Oil on canvas 50x60cm
I’ve been looking again at the inspirational song lyrics of David Bowie and it seems to me that he had a gift for identifying the zeitgeist of the times. I wonder if unease is the zeitgeist of our own time?
#art #oilpainting
February 10, 2025 at 6:40 PM
She Feared Unease was the Cost of Curiosity
Oil on canvas 50x60cm
I’ve been looking again at the inspirational song lyrics of David Bowie and it seems to me that he had a gift for identifying the zeitgeist of the times. I wonder if unease is the zeitgeist of our own time?
#art #oilpainting
Oil on canvas 50x60cm
I’ve been looking again at the inspirational song lyrics of David Bowie and it seems to me that he had a gift for identifying the zeitgeist of the times. I wonder if unease is the zeitgeist of our own time?
#art #oilpainting
The Brick Wallpaper
Oil on canvas 50x60cm
I am interested in exploring the mirror as a metaphor for self-examination. The mirror is above the gas fire in my childhood home and has been there all my life. I have watched myself age in that mirror.
Oil on canvas 50x60cm
I am interested in exploring the mirror as a metaphor for self-examination. The mirror is above the gas fire in my childhood home and has been there all my life. I have watched myself age in that mirror.
February 5, 2025 at 12:20 PM
The Brick Wallpaper
Oil on canvas 50x60cm
I am interested in exploring the mirror as a metaphor for self-examination. The mirror is above the gas fire in my childhood home and has been there all my life. I have watched myself age in that mirror.
Oil on canvas 50x60cm
I am interested in exploring the mirror as a metaphor for self-examination. The mirror is above the gas fire in my childhood home and has been there all my life. I have watched myself age in that mirror.
February 4, 2025 at 6:49 PM