HELEN Sillar may be a relatively new member of the Myall Community Arts and Craft Centre, but her wide range of skills have quickly made her a valuable asset to the group and its members.

Helen has enjoyed many creative moments in her life through drawing, painting and pottery.

“Through TAFE, adult education and art workshops I was able to explore these genres,” Helen said.

Helen’s passion at the moment is printmaking.

“It started with a workshop in screen printing and has moved into relief and non-relief work,” Helen said.

The addition of a new printing press at the centre has also created a lot of interest.

Helen recently led a very successful workshop in printing techniques at the Tea Gardens Centre.

“The local coastal area with its various waterways, changing tides and bird watching is a great inspiration for creating prints.”

Helen is also getting attention with the use of seaweed which is inked with a brayer, placed on a lino or solar print then put through the printing press.

She builds up the prints through relief and non-relief methods.

The success of the workshop has inspired Helen and fellow members of the printing group to share their skills at the Centre’s upcoming Open Day.

“Some of the techniques being demonstrated will be Lino Cutting, Dry Point Printing and the Solar Plate method of printing, with examples of each on display,” Helen said.

Examples of Helen’s stunning art works will also be on show at the Craft Centre shop.

 

By Margie TIERNEY