The May Queen

One day (or should it be once upon a time), Helen Bradley picked up a paintbrush. She mixed a little pink colour, she painted the dress of a tiny figure. From that moment was created the enchanting land that was to delight millions. The figure Helen Bradley painted was that of Miss Carter (who wore pink) who features in most of Helen Bradley's paintings. Other characters you will find are her mother, grandmother, her three maiden aunts, Mr Taylor (the bank manager) Helen herself with brother George and their dogs Gyp and Barney and many others.

Helen Bradley was born on the 20th of November 1900 at number 58, High Street, Lees, near Oldham, Lancashire. She was interested in art all her life, but it was not until she was in her sixties and her grandchildren were asking what life was like when she was a child, that she started painting the scenes she remembered of her own Edwardian Childhood.

These narrative paintings were first exhibited at The Saddleworth Art Society in 1965, followed by a London exhibition in 1966, and a sell out exhibition at the appropriately named Carter Gallery in Los Angeles in 1968.
In 1971 Jonathan Cape published the first of four books "And Miss Carter Wore Pink". This was an instant success. German, French, Dutch and Japanese editions were published, and a special edition produced for the U.S.A.
Requests for illustrations of her work were satisfied by the publication of 30 Signed Limited Edition Prints, 3 Unsigned Limited Edition Prints and 11 Open Edition Prints.

Magazine features, appearances on television and radio endeared Helen Bradley to the general public. Helen Bradley was awarded the M.B.E. for services to the arts but she sadly died on the 19th of July 1979 shortly before she was due to receive her M.B.E. from Her Majesty The Queen.