Summer Floral

Summer Floral,  8x8" Oil on canvas

©2010, Helen Read 

 

This painting was inspired by some potted plants I saw at the grocery store, of all places!  They were striking in their texture and color.  The paint is rather thickly applied.  I loved the variety of color in the foliage as well.  

 

I'm most honored!

I have been honored twice today!   I have been featured in an article in the Dallas Examiner. I hope you'll take a moment to read it!   The article speaks of art as a way of life and a way of communication.   It gives great perspective to art and life; finding balance while still continuing to create and explore!  

Also, a fellow artist who I've gotten to "know" from a distance through blogging has been kind enough to write about my work on her blog.  Please visit Julia's blog, read her comments and take a look at her inspiring work as well!

Thank you!  I'm quite honored!

Drawing still in progress!!

My progress on this graphite drawing is continuing.  This week has been crazy with starting a new semester of school, learning approx. 120 new student names and faces, and doing all the other little things that are required at the beginning of a new school year!   But - in between things I've done a little more work here an there on this drawing.   Its coming along!   I continue to really like the clayboard as a support for drawing.   It takes the medium quite well, doesn't smear, is easy to erase, and is easy to work with because it is rigid.   This one is made by Ampersand. 

Progress is slow, but it continues

Graphite drawings are time consuming when done in a photographic way ... there's really no getting around that fact!   But, they do have a special beauty all their own as well.  If you compare this image to the two images in my most previous post, you'll see that the progress is expanding!   Yet, there is more to be done!    

My assessment of pencil on clayboard is still very positive!   It give a very smooth and workable surface.  Its also quite rigid, which can be helpful as well.   I'm wondering out loud now, about how it would work with pen and inks, with colored pencil, etc.   My intellect tells me it would be great - but the artist in me wants to "see".      Perhaps I'll try that soon! 

A new work in progress - pencil on clayboard

I haven't done a graphite drawing ~ just for the sake of drawing in quite some time.

Here I'm trying out a new support.  This is done on clayboard by Ampersand

Here is its beginning. 

The progress continues below and I'll continue posting progress on it as I go. 

I'm using 3 H, HB, 3 B, and 6 B 

The clayboard ground, by the way, is great!  

Its hard to see what the subject matter is from these early views, but

it is a very interesting set of hibiscus buds in various stages of opening. 

Colored pencil study

Sunset, colored pencil study 

©2010, Helen Read 

After several weeks away from the studio, I'm back!  This is a small study done on mat board - prismacolor pencils, with some turpenoid for blending.  It measures about 3.5 x 6".    I was using a reference photo I took of  a sunset we saw while driving through Illinois... so, perhaps it will become a 

larger painting.  One of my growing artistic interests is painting the sky with authority.  This was small, fun, and yet - no where near the results I would want from oil. Besides this, I've been working on a drawing (pencil on clayboard) since returning home.   I'll post the work on that very soon. 

Free Sunflower Painting ~ going to Miami, FL!!

Congratulations to Maria, the WINNER of my "small painting giveaway"!    I'll be sending this with it's small easel off to Miami, Florida where it will have a new home.    Maria joined my email list, which is easy to do!   From time to time, I have contests and drawing for those who are on my list.
There will be something new and fun in the future ~  now is a great time to join us! 

 

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Summer Rerun - Undulation 2

Undulation 2,  20 x 20"  Oil on Canvas 

©2008,  Helen Read 

 

This is one of my favorites!   I love the abstract qualities found when botanical subjects are

magnified.  This is created from a photo I took of  canna leaves just opening.

The shadows and color were spectacular!  

Summer Rerun - Pasture, Rainclouds Gathering

Pasture, Rainclouds Gathering - 6x8" Oil pastel on paper
©2009, Helen Read

 

After being on vacation for the past 2 weeks, I'm now home again and

returning to my studio to try to catch up with some of the ideas I have in

mind!   School starts soon again, so time is of the essence!  

This painting is a year old, but it represents some of the scenery I've just

been driving through as I've returned home for a short while to the southwest! 

 

Summer Rerun! Old Barn ~ what remains.

What Remains, 9 x 12" Oil on Canvas

©2009, Helen C.Read

 

 

 

This old barn is very representative of the kinds of old farms that still remain in and around the Chicago area in northern IL. They are fewer and farther between, sadly... giving way to strip malls and housing developments and roadways. Its good to make a visual record of what remains.

Summer Rerun! Dill-icious!

Dill-icious!   6x6" Acrylic on Canvas

©2008, Helen Read

While busy with family this week, I'm posting a few reruns of some of my past favorites!  

 This one stands out to me because of its very unusual point of view, and 

of course its interesting colors!  

It was a lot of fun to do!