When An Artist and Poet Collaborate!

 

The thought was intriguing!  Collaborating with someone I didn't know for an entry into a group show.  Yes, I thought, why not?  I met with a local poet one time to talk about some ideas we had that might work.  We came up with just a skeleton of an idea and from there, we both worked independently, but would hang our work as a cohesive piece.  

Our idea of Rivers came from the beginning and the ending of the Bible - A river is mentioned in Genesis 2, coming From God through the Garden of Eden to water the lands beyond.  And then in Revelation 22, a river from the Throne of God is described as running through the main street of the Holy City.  Book ending scripture in that way seemed to have some significance. 

How could I create a visual piece that is inspired by this idea?  I began to think in less concrete thoughts and more experimental ideas.  One painting seemed unable to hold this idea.  I wondered what it would be to work on raw, un-stretched and unsized canvas.  I wondered how I could create something like defined boundaries and yet have a flowing watery effect.  As I continued to work with these ideas, these are the 2 paintings that flank the poem, The River by Megan Stough. 

On the left, Eden's Flowing Waters, 26.75 x 16"  acrylic on unstretched canvas

On the right, Eternal Waters of Life, 26.75 x 16" acrylic on unstretched canvas

      What did I learn from this experience? 

It's challenging and rewarding to work with someone else in this way.  Experimenting with ideas stretched me into some new ways of expressing ideas and challenged me to learn some new methods and techniques.  The entry that we produced together had more impact than either one of us alone. 

Art & Story Exhibit

ArtSpace Gallery - 321 E Front Street, Wheaton, IL

Aug 2 - Sept 12, 2025

Gallery hours:  12:00 - 2:00 MWF & Sun

Image:  Helen Read

What is my Secret Sauce for my Artistic Journey??

 

 Hillside Symphony
Watercolor on Yupo Paper
© Helen Read
Link to find out more about this painting

Eighteen years!! I can hardly believe it….. 

 

It was in early July in 2007 when I had a few moments to myself one evening. I’d been teaching art at the local high school for about 5 years. My children were getting older and more independent and I wondered….. What does the future hold? I had a long history of loving art and studying art and making art, and I was teaching art…. But I wasn’t making a lot of time to create for myself any more.

 

It was that evening that I decided to sit down at my computer to find out what artists were doing in that slice of time. Really, the world of online artists and blogs was pretty new…. Crazy to think how far we’ve come in these last 18 years! But that evening as I began to investigate, I found a world that would change my life and the way I would step into the future. 

 

I found artists whom I’d never heard of - just regular people - creating and posting their work for the world to see in this newish online space. I found artists blogging and commenting and connecting together online. For the first time, I heard about the Painting-a-Day movement. I saw beautiful and inspiring work in a variety of styles. It was energizing and intriguing. 

 

And that’s how it all began for me. I knew a painting a day was not possible with my busy teaching schedule and family, but I determined I would start that next day to paint every day. And I did. Now, 18 years later, my skills have grown, my style has evolved (and continues to), and I’ve had numerous sales throughout the US, and in Europe and Asia. But the most important part of this story is what I’ve learned along the way, and how I can look back and see how God directed my path. 

 

I’m convinced that there’s a "secret sauce" here in my journey, and I love to (and should) share it with others. These are the building blocks that have been vital to me and my artistic growth. 

 

• First, make a commitment. Decide what you can do and commit to doing it. My commitment was to paint every day… even if it was just a few marks. 
• Then, create a system of accountability. For me, that meant starting this blog where I would post the progress and the work I was doing. This also helped me keep a record of my growth, which I continue to keep. The vibrant community of blogging artists from 18 years ago has changed over time, but a supportive community is vital. 
• And then, one of the biggest boosts to my skills, along with consistency of creating, was finding some great instruction from artists whose work I admired. This is something I still do!  

 

Yes, things have changed in lots of ways over the last 18 years. The online world isn’t the same as it was. But, the basics of growth are timeless; commit, be consistent, create accountability, find community and seek ways to expand and grow.  

 

One other thing that I’ve learned and continue to learn is that artists are intentionally designed by God to be artists! And He calls us to this artistic life on purpose!  Sometimes we need to be reminded of that.  

 

So, I’m celebrating 18 years of growing and becoming more of who I was created to be. I hope you feel encouraged by my story on your artistic journey - it’s never too late or too early to grow and become! Maybe you have a story of creative growth … I’d love to hear it!  

Rivers Diptych

 

 

 Experimenting, experimenting....  I've been working on a diptych which is very experimental.  I really didn't know if it would work or not.  

I am participating in an Art and Story exhibit and have partnered with a poet.  We discussed the theme/topic for our collaborative work:  Rivers/waters. 

The painting on the left is Eden's Flowing Waters, referencing Genesis 2:10-14 ( 26.75 x 16")

The painting on the right is Eternal Waters of Life, referencing Revelation 22:1-2 (26.75 x 16")

Both are acrylic on raw, unstretched canvas.  

 

Because of the idea of water, I liked the idea of some hard edges as a boundary of the water, but also the more ethereal watercolor effect of the paint flowing and bleeding.  It seemed an interesting juxtaposition.  

 

These will be hung using grommets at the top, and with the poetry in between.  

Sunlit Meadow

Sunlit Meadow, 10x8" oil on canvas
©Helen C Read

These last few weeks, I've been working on a commission.  To prepare for that commission, I wanted to get shapes and colors figured out.  So, this painting is a preparatory painting for that commission.  

 Capturing the colors of a sunlit day, then capturing them on a figure was the challenge with this. 

Soon, this painting be added to my website: https://HelenCRead.com.

Morning Chill

 Morning Chill,  11x14" oil on canvas
©2025 Helen Read

Winter in the north can have very minimal color.
While creation is sleeping, the world is covered in a snowy blanket with blue shadows of all that
stands tall in the landscape.  On a clear day, the sky can be a beautiful azure.

As a painter, I was attracted to the way the shadows pulsed across the landscape in bands of blue, the brightness of the sun, defusing its light through the branches of the trees, and how much subtle color can be seen in the white snow.

 See more of this painting and others at my website! 

Day's End

 Day's End
7x5" oil on Canvas

SOLD

Don't Miss This Spring Super Sale!

 

How do you bring vibrant spring color into your home?  Color that never fades...   

Visit my collection of Spring Paintings  that are
listed at 40% off

Now through April 9th!  

Domestic Shipping is included!
Framing Options are given! 

This small gems are packed with joyful color that reminds us of th

Sketchbook Explorations are Essential!

 

Playing with color and with marks and with composition - you figure out possibilities with sketchbook explorations.  Starting with no expectations, it's fun to see what just unfolds as you go!   Who knows, this one may be the inspiration for a new painting!  

This sketchbook painting (acrylic) measures 6x6".  I think it would make a lovely large wall statement! 

Some of the process is shown below of the stages. 

 

 

 

Thundering Waves - Abstract Painting

 

Thundering Waves,  16x20" acrylic on canvas
©Helen C Read 

If you love an oceanic theme and colors, that is what this painting evokes.
There is an implied sense of strength and power in the brush strokes and depth of blues and greens.
The textured canvas reminds us of terra firma. 

 Check out all the details up close at my website! 

Take a look behind the scenes and see my process for the painting 

Leave a comment!  Are you intrigued by abstract work?

New Floral Painting - Amber in Blue

 

Amber in Blue  -  12x6" acrylic on canvas
SOLD

This painting really was an experiment.  It started on a gessoed canvas, painted with blues and magenta, sprayed with alcohol, dried and then loosely painted with acrylics.  I'm not sure if it lived up to my imagination as I started the experiment, but I think it has become an interesting, very impressionistic painting.  

This painting is a FEATURED PAINTING just for March 2025!  It is priced at about 55% off - $180.95.
Domestic Shipping is included!  

It's usual pricing is $329!   See the details right here!  Don't let this amazing pricing pass you by! It's a bright pop of color for that small wall! 

Winter Wonder - watercolor painting

 Winter Wonder
watercolor on paper 

This painting is my Free Download to my Artful Friends for the month of February. 

Overshadowed - Abstract Painting

 Overshadowed,  18x24" oil on canvas      

 

More experiments in the realm of abstract painting.   This one uses some metallic gold oil paint and is highly textured.  Colors of blues/violets and gold.  

This will be posted on my website as soon as it has dried.

 

Win this FREE original painting in January!

 Sparrow,  3x3" oil on canvas panel
with magnetic backing
©Helen C Read 

This bright-eyed little sparrow will wing its way to one of my Artful Friends in January!   Sometimes we think of sparrows as being small and ordinary - maybe even a little drab.  But, when we stop to look closely, we can see that they've been created with a lot of intricacy!   This little bird is a year-round friend, staying near even in the winter.  

How could YOU win this little painting?  Become an Artful Friend!   It's easy and it's fun... Once each month, you'll get a colorful note from me right in your inbox.  You'll find out what's happening in my studio and I always include something special that is exclusive to my Artful Friends;  like a give-away contest to win an original small painting, or downloadable art that you can print which I make just for my friends, or special discounts that are only available to you!  There's nothing to lose!  Sign up with my secure email platform is easy https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/3srWvuZ/ArtLoversNews

The details about entering to win this little painting will be in my January news note! 

Oh, and when you sign up, you'll get a welcome email with a gift right away!  Then, look for my newsy note during the first week of the month!   Being friends is fun - especially for Art Lovers!  

Windswept Tide

 Windswept Tide, 20x20" acrylic on canvas
©2024 Helen Read 

More information on this painting can be seen here

Delving into abstract painting is challenging, but it is also invigorating.  As this painting began to make itself seen, I began to imagine something aquatic and powerful.  The blues and greens, quite calming colors, are interrupted by metallic golds and coppers.  And the sweeping composition is less than calming, implying power and force.  

 

(a detail photographed in low lighting to show the metallic parts of the painting)

 

The sides of this painting are painted (as shown below) so framing is not needed.  But should it be desired, a floater frame is suggested so that the sides can be seen. 

Shown in proportion within a room setting. 

Please visit my website to see more art that may be perfect for your home!