Helen R Carter

Like many artists my love of drawing was evident at an early age and I was always encouraged by my father who attended the School of Design Drawing Class at the National Gallery of Victoria in1931 to 1934. In 1932 he was awarded 1st Prize of ten pounds in the Antique School for a full figure from a cast.  
Unfortunately my father was unable to continue as, in his words 'I couldn’t afford the luxury of painting full time.' He had a ‘tough’ life growing up with thirty-two residential moves and his mother passing away when he was only young. Although he was not able to continue his studies he retained an interest in art and his fellow members of the Art School. His life took a different direction when he married, raising a family and succeeding in business. 

In 1980 a move to rural Seymour gave me the opportunity to paint more often. Tuition from Betty Parsons, then Pat Shannon of CAE Melbourne aided my development. Work was mainly exhibited at Artisans Gallery, Nagambie. During this time a surprise gift from my father was my first year’s membership to the Victorian Artists Society. 

On return to Melbourne in 1985 I enrolled in classes at the VAS with tutors Ming McKay,  David Taylor and Margaret Cowling. During this early period I exhibited many works as it was necessary to cover the expenditure that comes with painting. Works were shown in VAS Exhibitions, Rotary Art Shows, and Commercial Galleries; Parkville, AMP, Artistic Touch, Mt Alexander, Custom House, Spectrum, and with interior design business Brighter Homes.

Art continues to be a very important part of my life and has helped me through many challenging times. It can be all absorbing and at times frustrating, but it can also bring satisfaction and pleasure. I have always strived to execute a work from the heart and endeavour to capture a mood or convey a feeling as well as a likeness of the subject. To see the artistic gene surfacing in the younger generations of my extended family gives me much pleasure.