Helen Cottle Born in bay side Williamstown, Victoria in 1962, she is a self-taught/self-educated artist who paints in all mediums in a realist/impressionist style. Helens artistic life began in early childhood; she would spend many hours drawing from life always seeking new subject matter. What began as a childhood hobby over time evolved into a passion to express herself creativity in whatever medium called on to compliment the chosen subject. Helen was greatly encouraged by her high school art teachers to pursue a career in art and teaching; however she decided not to continue on and study art at university but decided to follow her own path of self education and exploration. She has been inspired by various artists past and present, choosing the works of Arthur Streeton, John Singer-Sargent, Harold Herbert closely studying their brushstrokes and techniques.  Initially she experimented and then concentrated on oils for 5 years and eventually changed focus and decided to specialise in watercolour for which extended for the next 25 years and also now works in Acrylic paint. No matter which medium is chosen, she believes that having a fascination with the effects of light on a subject and observing life’s intriguing details, everyday views can be transformed into dynamic and interesting works of art. Helen’s career began as an Artist and Art educator, with no formal training, just an eagerness to continue to learn and then pass on her gained knowledge to others, encouraging them to enjoy the world of art.

Helen is currently working as a professional Artist/Art educator in the Macedon ranges north/west of Melbourne.
She is a popular and sought after tutor/teacher. Helen currently conducts classes and workshops in various regions, teaching drawing and painting in watercolour, acrylic and mixed media.
Helen has also conducted several workshops for the National Gallery of Victoria and is currently is a tutor for the Art scene Mitchell School of Art, Bathurst, Dookie Art Attack, Sheparton, & Cairns Art Society, Qld.
Helen has held several solo and joint exhibitions that have all been very successful with many sales and commissions extending from them. She participates in many art shows and competitions such as Camberwell Rotary art show; St Kevin’s College Art Show and regularly receives awards, prizes and commendations. In 2019 Helen was a finalist in the prestigious Len Fox Painting Award at the Castlemaine Art Museum.
Recent works can be viewed at her private Studio/Gallery Gisborne Victoria. Studio visits can be arranged privately by appointment. Helen is also a participant of DMROS Daylesford and Macedon Ranges Open Studios.

AWARDS AND PRIZES
2020 Best Watercolour Woodend Lions Art Show
2019 Finalist in Australian watercolour Muster/Fabriano Italy Finalist Len Fox painting award Castlemaine Art Museum; Peoples choice Wild exhibition Macedon Ranges Art Trail
2018 Best in Show Kilmore Art Expo; Best watercolour Woodend Lions Art show
2017 Peoples choice Woodend Lions Art show
2016 Best in show Trentham Art Show
2015 Peoples Choice Woodend Art show
2014 People’s choice Rochester Art show; Highly Commended Kilmore Art Show
2013 Best Watercolour Woodend Lions Exhibition; Best Watercolour Kilmore arts Expo; Highly Commended Camberwell Rotary Art show
2012 Best Watercolour Woodend Lions Exhibition
2011 Best watercolour Kilmore art expo; Best Watercolour Altona rotary Art show
2010 Best Watercolour Kiwanis Art show Best local Artist Woodend lions Art show; 2nd Oil Bacchus Marsh Rotary Art show

EXHIBITIONS
2019 DMROS Members Exhibition Convent Gallery Daylesford
2018 DMROS Members Exhibition Convent Gallery Daylesford ; Kevin Hill top ten Sydney & Canberra
2017 Solo exhibition Cosmopolitan Trentham; Kevin Hill top ten Sydney & Canberra
2016 Kevin Hill top ten Australian artist Sydney & Melb ; Equine, Feather and Fly Old Post office Seymour; The little Gallery Winter Exhibition
2015 Toorak village Art Affair Kevin Hill top Ten Aust Artists Canberra and Melbourne White Rabbit exhibition, Little Gallery, Trentham; Winter Exhibition, Old post office Gallery, Seymour Equine and wild art, Old post office Gallery, Seymour Captivate solo exhibition Black Anther Gallery, Woodend
2013 Vanishing Point solo exhibition Bakery Lane Gallery; Combined Exhibition Cope-Williams Arts foundation Gallery
2011 Opened private Gallery in Woodend with Dawn Robinson ; Manyung Gallery, July exhibition ; Without Pier Gallery, Watercolour show; Without Pier Gallery Joint show with Richard Chamerski
2010 Special Invitation, Guest Artist (1of 5 in Aust) Shanghai watercolour Biennial Exhibition China

GALLERIES
The Little Gallery Trentham
Helen Cottle Studio/Gallery Gisborne
Numerous Private collections throughout Australia and overseas including France, Italy, Japan, Germany, New Zealand and Sweden

COMMISSIONED WORK
Diary cover, Seniors rights Victoria 2013
Braemar College Woodend, Head Master Leaving Presentation
Cover of ‘The Tower Magazine’ Braemar College
Gisborne Primary School
Anglican Church Gisborne
Numerous Private clients

ART CLASSES AND TUTORING
National Gallery of Victoria NGV. 2003, 2008, 2011,2012
Cairns Art Escape The tanks Cairns
Dookie Art Attack Dookie Victoria
Brisbane Painting Classes Acrylic workshop.
ASOC Canberra art society
Tutor, Acrylic and Watercolour painting, Art Scene/Mitchell School of Art Charles Sturt University Bathurst 2007,-2016
Tutor, Watercolour, Murrumbidgee School of Creative Arts, Wagga wagga, 2009
Tutor (Drawing watercolour & painting) for Macedon Ranges Further Education 1993 – 2006
Art Workshops held in Gisborne, Bacchus Marsh, Woodend, Kyneton, Sunbury Trentham
Helen Cottle, Cope Williams Art Gallery Romsey, workshops in watercolour, drawing mixed media and acrylic painting.