For Leicester-based artist Helen Newton, a house is never just bricks and mortar. It’s a place layered with memories, shaped by personal stories, and full of meaning that can’t always be captured with traditional perspective.
Through her distinctive gouache paintings, Helen creates unique portraits of homes and gardens that act as visual time capsules — deeply personal, colourful, and joyfully non-linear.
Picture credit: Helen Newton
“I don’t paint houses from the traditional viewpoint,” she explains. “It’s more like a collection of ideas. People tell me what matters to them, and I build the image around that — sometimes including trees that are no longer there, a cherished bicycle, or a plaque with sentimental value.”
These commissions — often requested when families are preparing to move house or marking significant milestones — have become the core of the artist’s practice. She brings together colour, pattern, and emotion into stylised, memory- rich compositions. “It’s like a puzzle,” she says.
“ I’m not just painting a building; I’m telling a story. ”
Helen primarily works in gouache, a medium she describes as underused but perfect for her bold, design-led style. “Gouache was traditionally used by designers for posters — it gives you that flat, strong colour that I love,” she says. Her work draws inspiration from artists like David Hockney and Henri Matisse, both known for their use of vibrant colour and disregard for conventional perspective.
“When I paint, I totally concentrate. I usually have the image in my head before I start, and while it might change as I go, there’s always a clear idea of the composition and colour palette. I use a limited range of paints to keep a sense of unity.”
The result is a body of work that’s unmistakably hers — instantly recognisable for its joyful use of colour, playful flatness, and richly detailed storytelling.
Though Helen has only been a full-time artist for the past decade, art has always been central to her life. She spent over 40 years in education, teaching and supporting others, all while continuing to draw and paint on the side.
“I’ve always wanted to be an artist,” she reflects. “I think teenagers are often put off because art feels so subjective
— there’s no clear path. But now I embrace it fully. I’ve got a pension, so I don’t have to rely on the income, which gives me creative freedom. This is now my second career.”
Since retiring from teaching, Helen has steadily grown her art business, mostly through word of mouth. Her first house portrait, a houseboat called Hercules on the Thames, was commissioned in 2016 by someone with Leicester roots. Since then, she’s created dozens more — especially across Leicester and Leicestershire.
Helen’s deep connection to Leicester is evident in both her subject matter and her community involvement. She is a member of the Leicester Society of Artists, the Leicester Sketch Club, and is a regular exhibitor in local galleries. Her upcoming work will be featured in Heritage: The Story of Leicester’s People, an exhibition at Leicester Cathedral running from August 29 to September 27.
“There’s so much to celebrate in Leicester,” she says. “The architecture, the green spaces — I painted Victoria Park because I fell in love with the Lutyens war memorial and the gatehouses.”
She also finds inspiration in the diverse communities that make up the city. “Some of my work resonates with people from South Asian backgrounds because of the pattern and flatness — elements that are part of Mughal design and Indian art history.”
In addition to her commissions and studio work, the artist teaches watercolour classes and continues to experiment with techniques — though she rarely strays from gouache and watercolour, preferring media that interact well together.
Her motivations, however, remain clear and grounded.
“ My artwork is a celebration of joy and colour. I love helping people create memories. That’s the most successful and rewarding part of my career.“
She encourages aspiring artists to keep going, even if art isn’t their main job. “People think it’s all about talent, but practice and persistence are key,” she says. “Take opportunities when they come. Keep drawing and grow your talent.”
For Helen, creating art isn’t about chasing commercial success. “People ask, ‘Do you sell?’ or ‘Do you exhibit?’ And yes, I do. But what really matters is making something I’m proud of. If someone wants to buy it — that’s a bonus,” she says.
With her signature style, personal touch, and a clear love for both people and place, Helen Newton is painting a colourful, thoughtful tribute to Leicester — one portrait at a time.
To see more of Helen’s work or commission a portrait, visit: helennewtonartist.co.uk
