Helen McCosker
Training and Education
2024 Editing and Publishing, Workshop with Bernadette Foley, South Coast Writers' Centre
2022 Young Adult and Childrens' Book Festival, Sydney Writers' Centre, Rozelle
2022 Creativity, with Kate Forsyth and Ben LeHunt, South Coast Writers' Festival
2022 The Business of Publishing, Workshop with Mary Cannane, South Coast Writers' Centre
2021 Manuscript Development and Feedback, with Sandy Fussel, South Coast Writers' Centre
2019 Writing for Children, with Kate Forsyth, Stratford upon Avon, England
2018 Writing for Children, Workshop, Allen & Unwin Faber Writing Academy, Sydney
2003 Writing for Children, Continuing Education Course with Libby Gleeson
1999-2001 Charlie Sheard School of Historical Oil Painting Techniques
1995 Scientific Illustration course, Macquarie University
1968-1971 Diploma in Art Education from National Art School, Sydney NSW
Teaching and Employment
1980 - present Exhibiting Artist
1975 - present Freelance Illustrator
1984 - 2009 Drawing Teacher, Leisure Learning, West Ryde, Sydney NSW
1972 - 1975 Secondary School Art Teacher, Forest High School, Sydney NSW
Children’s Books
2006 The Nightfish, published by The Five Mile Press
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2006 The Nightfish, A-Space on Cleveland, Surry Hills, Sydney NSW
2003 Portals and Pathways, A-Space on Cleveland, Surry Hills, Sydney NSW
Selected Group Exhibitions
2023 Fragility, (one of tree artists) Clifton School of Arts
2023 The National Capital Art Prize, The Aarwun Gallery, Canberra
2023 MultiStory Building, 107 Projects, Redfern NSW
2018-24 The Thirroul Seaside Arts Festival, Thirroul Library, NSW
2018 Pirtek Still Life Prize, Bowral Art Gallery
2013 From Life, 107 Projects, Redfern NSW
2003-12 The Annual Dog Shows, A-Space on Cleveland, (2010 Prize Winner), Surry Hills NSW
2009 From Here to the Next, Berrima District Art Society, Bowral NSW
2007 Playing the Landscape, Frog Rock Cellar Door, Mudgee NSW
2006 Tangents, Wilson Street Gallery, Newtown NSW
2003 John Copes Prize for Representational Art, Berrima District Art Society, Winner, Berrima NSW
2003 Sydney Works on Paper Fair, Fox Studios, Sydney NSW
Publications
My work has been published in many magazines including Australian House and Garden, Belle, Charter Magazine, The Australian Weekend Magazine and The Australian Review of Travel. Please have a look through my Illustration portfolio for further details.
Illustration - Selected Publications
2010 Cover Art, Crab, Tim Clarkson Trio, Jazzgroove Records
2010 Pylon floral illustrations for FIFA Fan Fest, Sydney NSW
2007 By George! Laneway storybook, City of Sydney Council, Angel Place NSW
2007 Australian Animal Christmas Projection Designs, The Electric Canvas, Sydney Town Hall NSW
1994 - 2002 Travel Review, The Australian Weekend Magazine, News Limited
1989 - 2000 Australian House and Garden, ACP (now Bauer Media)
1998 - 2000 Charter Magazine, Institute of Chartered Accountants
1984 - 1990 Belle Magazine, ACP (now Bauer Media)
1980 - 1990 Readers Digest
1975 - 1985 Cosmopolitan Magazine and Dolly Magazine, ACP (now Bauer Media)
Illustration - Selected Books
2001 The Gardener's Companion, Mary Moody, New Holland
2000 Letters to Gardeners, Edna Walling, New Holland
1998 Coasting, Susan Kurosawa, Hodder Headline
1995 The Joy of Travel, Susan Kurosawa, Harper Collins
1993 The Compost Book, David and Yvonne Taylor, Reed Books
1990 Our World of Gardening, Sandra & Graham Ross, Simon & Schuster
1986 Herbs & Spices, Brenda Little, Reed Books
1985 The Complete Guide to Australian Gardening, Alan Seale, Reed Books
Prizes and Accolades
2023 The National Capital Art Prize, Finalist, The Aarwun Gallery, Canberra
2022 Thirroul Seaside Arts Festival, Drawing Category Winner, Thirroul NSW
2018 Pirtek Still Life Prize, Highly Commended, Bowral Art Gallery, Bowral NSW
2017 Thirroul Seaside Arts Festival, Exhibition Winner, Thirroul NSW
2010 Annual Exhibition, Winner, A-Space on Cleveland, Sydney NSW
2005 Cheltenham GHS Art Show, Winner, Painting Section also Highly Commended, Drawing Section, Cheltenham NSW.
2004 Denistone East Public School Show, Winner, Denistone NSW.
The John Copes Prize for Representational Art, Commended, Bowral District Art Society, Bowral NSW
Tyree-Tycan Works on Paper Prize, Highly Commended, Bowral District Art Society, Bowral NSW
2003 The John Copes Prize for Representational Art, Winner, Bowral District Art Society, Bowral NSW