£20,000 for festive scene by Bradley

Helen Bradley’s painting

A FESTIVE painting by renowned Lees-born artist Helen Bradley is expected to raise thousands when it goes under the hammer next week.

The work is being offered by Lake District-based 1818 Auctioneers on Tuesday in Kendal, and is expected to make £15,000-£20,000.

Helen was inspired to paint late in life as a result of a meeting with Salford artist LS Lowry, and to record her Edwardian childhood memories for her grand-daughter.

While she painted from an early age, and won a scholarship to the Oldham Art School when she was 13, it was not until she was in her 60s that she began to paint with purpose.

The meeting with Lowry helped her to develop her technique and style, and she went on to produce four books packed with paintings and anecdotes recounting childhood memories.

The books are now valued as a rich source of social history, portraying family life and gatherings from a bygone time.

Helen’s work soon made her a well-loved and popular figure both on home shores and in the United States.

At the age of 65, the grandmother appeared in magazine features and on TV and radio.

Born in 1900, she was posthumously awarded an MBE for services to the arts shortly after she died in 1979.

Last month 1818 Auctioneers sold a Bradley watercolour scene of Fell Foot at Newby Bridge, signed with her famous fly monogram, for £12,000.

Auctioneer David Brookes said: “Helen’s pictures don’t often come up for sale, so we were delighted to be asked to sell a collection of her pictures as part of the estate of a local collector.

“Several of her paintings did well in our September sale and we expect this charming seasonal Christmas scene to attract a lot of interest.”

Viewing is on Monday, noon-6pm, or on sale days, Tuesday and Wednesday, 8.30am-10am.

For further information contact Kevin Kendal on 0845-812 1818.