Introducing Weardale Wilf.
A TALENTED artist who lives in Wolsingham is using her talents to devise ‘cartoon’ pictures for the amusement of Dalefolk.
Helen Blackburn, originally from Westgate, lives with her partner, Alistair, and her two disabled sons. Caring is more than a full-time job, seven days a week, every day of the year but Helen tries to use the little spare time she has in artistic pursuits. It is her downtime activities that help to keep her going and she has many talents.
She has a collection of Gypsy horse ornaments and vintage metal children’s rocking horses, along with items of furniture which she has painted with authentic colours and designs. She has also painted landscape scenes too but her latest idea is proving very popular on social media.
She is an award-winning photographer too, especially with her pictures of Red Squirrels but also the stunning photographs of Gypsy life, of people, caravans and horses that she also posts on-line. The Gypsy community enjoy her photography and also the friendship that has grown up between them and Helen, Alistair and their boys.
And, as a true Weardalian, she is a dab hand with a needle and thread, creating some stunning needlework with blankets, children’s toys and so much more.
Helen Blackburn
Helen, who actually studied Music as a teenager in Durham, has created ‘Weardale Wilf’ – a cartoon sheep who busies himself by visiting focal points around the Dale. In Helen’s mind’s eye, she sees him in pubs, the Mart, shops, cafes, shows and enjoying everything her beloved Dale has to offer – and then posts him on her Facebook page.
She is surprised by the interest, saying, “It’s just a few doodles when I get some down time to myself. I love drawing, doodling and painting.”
Others think differently and Weardale Wilf is set to go down in folklore with a weekly appearance in the Weardale Gazette. Watch out for further instalments – where will Wilf go next?
In fact where would YOU like to see him.
Send your suggestions to the Weardale Gazette.
