Helena Tompson

Helena Tompson is an internationally experienced artist, muralist, and curator with a career spanning the UK and New Zealand. Having spent recent years on Waiheke Island, where she successfully operated four galleries, Helena brings a wealth of creative and commercial experience to Grove Gallery.

Known for her bespoke murals, decorative paint finishes, fine art commissions, and much-loved dog portraits, Helena’s work is deeply personal and highly skilled, whether creating immersive large-scale interiors or capturing the unique character of a beloved pet. Her work can be found in private homes, hospitality spaces, and commissioned interiors both in the UK and abroad.

As founder of Grove Gallery, Helena combines her artistic eye with a curator’s perspective, creating a space dedicated to exceptional work, fresh talent, and meaningful artistic discovery.

Painting of a dog with one eye, wearing a pink sweater, against a red background.

Dog Portraits

Black and white portrait of a woman laughing, wearing sunglasses, with short curly hair, dressed in a patterned shirt and a dark blazer.

Fine Art

A painting of a polar bear sitting on rocks near the ocean with dark clouds in the sky, and the bear is roaring or yowling.

Murals

Dog Portraits

Painting of a cute dog with a white face and black nose wearing a Santa hat with a red background.
A painting of a cute brown and yellow puppy with big eyes lying down with its paws stretched out in front of it on a blue surface, with a solid dark teal background.
Painted portrait of a brown dog with black markings, sitting on a snowy landscape background in an indoor setting.
Painted portrait of a black dog with expressive eyes, on a red background.
Painting of two dogs standing on a dark blue rug with gold fringe, with the text 'Brecknock Arms' in large, decorative letters at the top.

Fine Art

Painting of a boat tied to a wooden post on calm blue water with a few more posts in the background.
Painting of a tiger walking through green jungle foliage.
Black and white portrait of Ray Charles wearing sunglasses, singing the blues.
Abstract painting of two intertwined, anonymous human figures embracing, with one figure in mostly pink and the other in mostly grey tones.

Murals

Painting of a polar bear on rocks near the water, with an open mouth as if roaring, against a cloudy sky.
Wall mural with mountains, clouds, and a floral vase on a pedestal in a room with a decorative black metal railing.
A photo of Helena hard at work on a mural.
Interior view of a staircase with a dark blue mural featuring a gold leaf design, white crown molding ceiling, and white railings.
Painting of a peacock with a purple head and vibrant blue, green, and gold feathers on a dark background.
Interior wall with a large mural of tall grass and tropical trees painted in shades of blue and grey.

Commissions

What clients said…

“I employed Helena to create a number of murals throughout my home including a blushed-concrete paint effect in my main lounge, a bedroom of pink clouds and an exquisite mural for my son’s bedroom with dinosaurs, African plains featuring more than 100 animals including monkeys, colourful parrots and snakes. He used to say goodnight to every single creature before he went to bed.”

— Nicole, Rusthall

“I commissioned a huge polar bear for my son’s bedroom and we were so pleased with that my husband asked Helena to paint a 4ft 3D waterfall on the garden wall, which was absolutely spectacular.”

— Denise, Tunbridge Wells

“I wanted a mural for my daughters’ bedroom. Helena spent a long time discussing the brief and created a fantastical mural that encapsulated an enchanted forest with whimsical fairies, toadstools, twinkling stars, a spaceship and a lighthouse. The girls absolutely love it.”

— Liz Bird, London

“Helena created an amazing 360-degree view of the Kent countryside view from the window for the Blue Room. It was there for 25 years and the customers absolutely loved it.”

— John Cullen, former proprietor of The Beacon, Rusthall