FRESH AIR
Max in his Studio. Photography by Lily Bungay
ARTISTS FOREWORD
These paintings came from an internal need for peace, in an attempt to create something quiet and calming for myself. Each painting was sparked by a clear idea in the landscape, and through a long process of discovery and meditation they were distilled into something which represented the essence of that initial spark. I spend a lot of time thinking about each piece, away from the brushes, moulding the compositions in my mind over time. When I'm painting, I'm guided by those feelings, my memory, and a drive to capture my connection to a place or a mood. Any reference material becomes secondary to my emotional memory of the landscape.
When I began working towards this exhibition, I was interested in what happens when I start to force my own ideas into the landscape; swapping colours, taking out objects, moving hedgerows and trees, clearing everything artificial or stale out of the frame, all to enhance that sense of peace I long for — whilst allowing my emotions, hesitations, and curiosities to blossom from the palette knife to the paint surface. The inspiration lives between moments in time: things half remembered, sensed, warped, rather than copied or rendered. Making this work meant slowing down, trusting my process, and making a choice to paint things which made my world feel less chaotic and fragile. I hope the paintings help people find the same peace I did when I painted them.
Max White, 2026
Please see the online catalogue below. For full artwork details, click the image. On a phone, tap the very small dot in the bottom-right corner of the screen to view the artwork details.
WORKSHOPS
Date: 22nd August 2026
Time: 11am - 5pm
Venue: The Gallery at Green & Stone
Tickets: £210
Colour, Composition & Abstraction course
Join artist Helle Johansen-Baker for a day exploring the expressive possibilities of abstract painting through colour, composition, and experimentation.
Inspired by Helle's contemporary painting practice, this immersive workshop invites participants to discover how abstract paintings can evolve from observation, intuition, and playful exploration. Through a series of guided exercises, you'll investigate colour relationships, composition, layering, texture, and expressive mark-making before developing your own finished abstract painting.
Beginning with practical demonstrations and colour studies, participants will build confidence through experimentation before creating a larger work on canvas. Throughout the day, Helle will share insights into her creative process while offering individual guidance and encouragement.
Suitable for beginners and experienced painters alike, this workshop provides a welcoming environment to develop confidence in abstraction while discovering new ways of approaching colour and composition.
All art materials are provided by Green & Stone.
Helle Johansen-Baker
Based in Surrey, Helle Johansen-Baker is a contemporary abstract painter whose work explores the relationship between colour, movement, and composition. Through layers of expressive mark-making and carefully balanced colour palettes, she creates paintings that evoke atmosphere, emotion, and a sense of place without directly representing the world around us.
Inspired by both the natural environment and the intuitive process of painting, Helle's practice embraces experimentation, allowing each work to evolve through successive layers and spontaneous gestures. Her paintings invite viewers to slow down, observe, and discover their own connections within the abstract forms.
In this workshop, Helle shares her approach to abstraction, encouraging participants to experiment with colour, composition, and texture while developing confidence in their own creative process.
To learn more about Helle please visit her websiteHere: