The Sky is Both Up and Down 2026 by Helen Boardman
The Sky is Both Up and Down is part of a summer series capturing the Roaches.— the dramatic gritstone ridge rising from the North Staffordshire Moorlands. The title captures a particular quality of light on high ground: when a still pool or wet rock reflects the sky so perfectly that up and down become indistinguishable, the world folding in on itself in a moment of pure luminosity. A warm peach sky backlights the purple-black rock peak, while the landscape below moves through deep green moss, lilac and blue heather, and bright sparks of sunlight catching the rocks and water.
The title is taken from a line in a poem by Helen Boardman's son Harry R Boardman.
Developed from plein air sketches and notes made whilst walking in early summer 2026, and completed in the studio in mid-summer 2026. Finished with artist’s professional UV satin varnish and wax.
- Artist: Helen Boardman
- Title: The Sky is Both Up and Down
- Date: 2026
- Medium: Acrylic on board
- Artwork size: 20.5 × 20.5 × 1.5 cm
- Framed size: 22.5 × 22.5 × 3 cm
- Framing: Acrylic on cradled board in black wooden tray frame
- Presented: Framed, with signed Certificate of Authenticity
Helen Boardman is a semi-abstract landscape artist based in Stone, Staffordshire. A keen walker, her work is an emotional as well as visual response to the landscapes she explores — from the Staffordshire Moorlands to the Peak District. Her paintings are held in private collections across the UK and internationally.