Helen Bradley was born at 58 High Street, Lees, a village on the outskirts of Oldham. She began to paint when she was in her sixties and was encouraged by fellow painter L.S Lowry to paint in a narrative style based on her childhood memories. She began to paint to tell her granddaughter what life was like when she was a small girl. From 1965 she became as popular in the United States as in the United Kingdom and her paintings now sell very well at auctions. Bradley’s paintings typically depict life in Lancashire in the Edwardian era. She is often spoken about in the same circles as L.S. Lowry, but her work couldn’t be more different, it focuses on her childhood and depicts many members of her family each painting coming with its own story. If Lowry focussed on the streets and working-class life in Manchester then Helen Bradley focussed on the upper-class family life, giving us all a glimpse at a privileged life in those times. She painted in a naïve and charming style which encouraged a sense of nostalgia. Her paintings often feature children, the countryside, and domestic scenes. She used soft colours and delicate brushstrokes to convey a whimsical and warm story. Her work became very popular in reproduction, particularly through her illustrations in books.
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