Small Gems

During these last few wintery months, I've been experimenting and trying some new things - and I've nicknamed these small, but brilliantly colorful little paintings "Small Gems".  They just remind me of gemstones, in a way; mostly because of their clear and brilliant color.  Sparkling!    They have been a lot of fun.  Colorful, and using a free and looser style than I've done in a long while.  Also, each of these is done on gesso board - which is a smooth, rigid surface and it allows for some very beautiful brushwork as layers are built up and the texture of the strokes shows through.

I'm interested to know what you think!  Do you like these bright and happy colors?  Do you like the looser style?  Leave a comment for me...finding out what you think is very important to me!

Some of these have already found their new home, but please scroll down and see the ones that are available.  Each is ready to ship and to frame.  (Of course, if you really like one that has found a home, a similar one can be created!)

French Peonies,  5x7" Oil on gesso panel 

©2017 Helen Read

SOLD

Spring Tulips, 12x9" Oil on gesso board 

©Helen Read 

Sunflowers in Cobalt, 7x5" Oil on Gesso Board

©2017 Helen Read

SOLD

Poppies in Bloom, 6x12" Oil on gesso board 

©Helen Read

Lavender Fields, 5x7" Oil on gesso board
© Helen Read

Chicago Flower Market, 7x5" oil on gesso board
©2017 Helen Read
SOLD

French Peonies

French Peonies,  5x7" Oil on gesso panel 

©2017 Helen Read 

SOLD

Such beautiful color - like gemstones in bloom!   Beautiful restful colors of blue and pink.  You can almost smell their delicate scent.  A reminder that it is a wonderful thing to slow down, breathe deeply, and find delight in the colors of springtime.

A Field in Bloom!

Poppies in Bloom, 6x12" Oil on gesso board 

©  Helen Read

Late Spring brings about beautiful blooms.  And this small landscape boasts a field of red as poppies dance in the wind.  This painting is created in a long and thin format that lends that sense of wide open spaces. 
It is ready to send and will bring a bright spot of color with a touch of Old World charm.

Sunshine and Blue

Sunflowers in Cobalt, 7x5" Oil on Gesso Board
©2017 Helen Read

SOLD
 
Color!   Beautiful color all around us - in the simple things - in the everyday things - in creation.
And not just 1 color can be seen in a particular thing, but a whole world of colors!
To me, this is a joyful thing - a celebration for the eye.  (And for the spirit, too!)

I've always been attracted to the bold beauty of sunflowers, and here, they are off set by the deep blue of a cobalt pitcher.  They seem to have been made for each other!  

February was a busy month!

It's always fun to look back a little bit and see what has happened in the past few weeks.  I've done some smaller paintings on gesso board.  Working out some new ideas in color and in brushwork.  Here's a little sampling of some of my explorations

I love the brilliant colors and experimenting with new ideas...  What do you think?  Do you love color too, and a painterly effect?