Helen Dougall

Helen designs and makes wallhangings in silk and cotton, silk scarves and cotton roller-blinds. Batik is particularly effective as roller-blinds, seen as they usually are, with light behind them. They are made to measure.

Painting and aquarelle pastel drawings made on the spot are very often the reference points for Helen's batik landscapes. She uses the potential of batik to explore pattern and texture effects. The designs of her batik silk scarves suggest images of landscape, plant or sea patterns. The scarves and wallhangings can be dry-cleaned or hand washed carefully.

Helen studied Fine Art at Regent Street Polytechnic and Chelsea School of Art, and later trained as an art teacher. She taught first in London secondary schools, then moved to Suffolk in 1975 and taught at Suffolk College, Ipswich.

In the 70s, Helen specialised in batik and attended one of Noel Dyrenforth's courses. In 1997 she took early retirement from teaching in order to expand and develop her personal work. She has exhibited widely and is a member of the Suffolk Craft Society and Artworks.

Helen also runs 1 to 3-day courses and workshops in her studio. She is available to travel to give illustrated talks and demonstrations to groups. You can visit her Suffolk studio by appointment. Commissions are welcome.

You can contact Helen through her website, www.hdbatik.co.uk. See also www.suffolkcraftsociety.org and www.artworksinfo.org.uk