A work in progress ~ hostas in sun and shadow

Sunlit Leaf, 8x8" oil on canvas
©2010, Helen Read

This may look a little familiar - I'm working with a previous painting and adding it to a new and larger painting. The original painting, Sunlit Leaf, seen on top above is now part of a 16 x 20" painting on Ampersand Board of hosta plants.

My idea for this is that the hosta leaves will all be in shadow and pushed back (literally and in terms of color and value). The one sunlit leaf is on a protruding canvas and is the only one in bright tones and values. My hope is that it will evoke a sense of 3 dimensionality and sun penetrating the leaf that is closest to the viewer. The difference in color between the photos above have to do with low lighting in the lower 2. The top one is an accurate representation of the work, having been scanned.

Its a grand experiment! I hope it will end up as I envision it! We shall see! I'll continue to work and show you as I go!

studio_upstairs@hotmail.com

Last Few Days! Spring Special - floral Note cards

Floral Note Card Set - 8 cards/envelopes, 4 designs (featuring my original art works) 

Old Favorites - Yellow Halo

Yellow Halo, 7.5 x 11" watercolor on paper ©2008, Helen C Read 

 

This one was fun to work with! There was much going on with light and shadow, color and shape. I don't work in watercolor as much as I work in oil, but it is fun to spread paint differently with watercolor!

Coneflowers - old favorites

Several more old favorites

Leaves in abstract

Curvature, 12.75 x 9.75" Colored pencil on black drawing paper
ready to mat and frame
©2010, Helen Read


SOLD

This drawing simply explores the abstraction that is so often seen within natural forms. But, as the artist, I also took a few liberties with color, lending a greater sense of abstraction. Shapes made to look like forms, colors, values .... many elements come into play with this drawing.

The Nests - a set of old favorites

Nest Series: top - Nest Eggs 9 x 12" Oil on canvas bottom left - Empty Nest 1, 6x6" Oil on canvas bottom right - Empty Nest 2, 6x6" Oil on canvas This set of 3 is representative to me of my own 3 children - who populated my nest, now growing up and leaving the nest behind. Its an interesting passage as a parent. Not altogether easy... and yet, it is the way it should be. My nest has been very brightly occupied for many years - now that my kids are flying ~ for several a great distance from home ~ I am learning to appreciate the remembrances of their time under my roof! I love them deeply - and am proud of their accomplishments and the way in which they are now contributing to the world in which we live! So, as a parent of an "empty-ish" nest, I am blessed by those old memories and also blessed by their new endeavors and will be blessed by the memories that are yet to be made! 

An Old Favorite - Strawberry Bowl

Strawberry Bowl, 6x6" Oil on canvas ©2008, Helen Read  

SOLD

Another old Favorite - November Gathering

November Gathering, 8x8" Oil on canvas ©2007, Helen Read

I know it is spring! The colors here aren't far off of spring, however - this is really a fall painting! Nevertheless, it is still an old favorite!

Easter - the day all of history was changed!

From heaven to earth, to show the way

From earth to the cross, my debt to pay.
From the cross to the grave -

From the grave to the sky,
Lord, I praise your name on high!
(Music and Lyrics by Rick Founds)

Easter, the day a death blow was dealt to eternal death!
All of us are born captive to the grip of
eternal death - a forever separation between us and a loving Creator.
He took on himself the responsibility to free us from an enemy that
we are powerless to defeat. He came for us as our great rescuer -
trading his life for ours!
He defeated the power of death by returning to LIFE on the 3rd day,
paving the way by means of a free gift - to be reconciled forever to Him!
What amazing favor - what amazing love!

John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he sent his only son,
so that anyone who believes in him will not perish, but have everlasting life.

The two images above are a drawing made in perspective of the cross - graphite on mylar. The image below is a multi-media expression of the moment of resurrection. Imagine the incredible power of God - having put death to death - accompanied by an earthquake, he stepped back into life. In my mind, I see - perhaps happening within milliseconds of time - the darkness of night and the inner tomb is shattered by dazzling light as the full glory of God is brought forth in full and resurrected life! Its more amazing than my ability to describe! And its personal - his life and death and resurrection - was accomplished for me! That's love indescribable!!

Undulation 3

Undulation 3, 10 x 8" Oil on canvas ©2010, Helen Read

  

Once again, I've taken the twists and turns of a Hosta leaf and created an abstraction from what I see in nature. Its always very intriguing to find how wonderful abstract our natural world can be! This is one of a series of works in this style and subject matter.