Let's Help!! Hurricane Relief Auction

You cannot watch the news without a heavy heart~
Here's a way to offer some support for those affected by Hurricane Harvey
I've started an auction of these 2 original oil paintings.
All proceeds will be donated for disaster relief in SE Texas and Louisiana. Auction ends Wednesday 9/6/17 approx 5pm - CST

 

Star of Bethlehem (Chicago Flower Market), 8x10" oil on gesso board

©2017 Helen Read
(ready to frame) 

This auction starts at $120 bid with free domestic shipping! 

SOLD!

Sunflower Basket, 10x8" oil on gesso board
©2017 Helen Read 

(ready to frame)

This auction starts at $120.00 bid with free domestic shipping! 

SOLD!

I was born and raised in Texas, so this disaster seems a little close to home, even though I do not currently live in that area.  This auction is a way that I can turn a surface, paint, and my vision into practical help.  And, it is a way that someone (like you) can own lovely original artwork! 

I hope you will participate.  Time is limited to just a few days.  Click the links to see how the auction is progressing, lend a hand and make a bid!  I'd love to package these paintings and send one of them to your house! 

Update - Post Auction

Both of these paintings have found their new homes and over  $300 was raised for hurricane relief in Texas. 
Thank you for your interest!   May we all continue to keep these people and those of Florida in our prayers.   

Original MiniPainting Giveaway!

This MiniPainting Could Alight at Your House!

Little Finch, 3x3" oil on canvas
©2017 Helen Read

As tiny as a little finch itself, this small painting is textured and detailed and
it will be sent to a lucky winner in September!  

My September newsletter will be sent in another few days with the full information about how to enter the contest and win this original painting (with it's small easel).  It is the perfect size to sit in a book case or a table top.   If you have not already joined my fun email group, it's easy to do!   You'll get to participate in give-aways and contests, get freebies and gifts, and receive news and discounts.  Just enter your information in the form below and you'll be added to my list and get my newsy newsletter!  

MiniPainting with it's easel.

Don't miss out!   Join the fun and enter to win this little original painting! 

Here's the sign up!
Oh, and if you include your birthday I'll send you something special that month! 
(Your year remains your secret!)

Join the fun!

Sign up with your email address for updates, offers, inspiration & give-aways! Becoming my Studio Friend is easy and full of great benefits!

Thanks for signing up!

Join the fun!

Sign up with your email address for updates, offers, inspiration & give-aways! Becoming my Studio Friend is easy and full of great benefits!

Email Address

First Name

Last Name

Birthday /

By submitting this form, you are granting: The Studio Upstairs, PO Box 251, Wheaton, Illinois, 60187, United States, http://HelenCRead.com permission to email you. You may unsubscribe via the link found at the bottom of every email. (See our Email Privacy Policy for details.) Emails are serviced by Constant Contact.

Garden Surprise

Garden Surprise, 7x5" oil on gesso board

© Helen Read 

 

Small treasures - small surprises.  The world of God's creation is full of life, and color, and abundant growth!
Look at all the various shades of green, punctuated with pink and browns and finally a small goldfinch.
Such beauty to be found!

Let's Be Friends!

In another week or so, I'll be sending out my September mailing

and Guess What!  

There's going to be a little contest for an original little painting give away!
You never know... you might be the winner!

So, all you have to do is sign up below.  Not only will you be included in all the future fun stuff I send  (about once a month), but you will be able to participate in the September contest and you'll get a "welcome gift" that I think you'll enjoy. 

 Its completely free.... so you have nothing to lose, but its only available to my friends who receive my email news. 

Here's the sign up!
Oh, and if you include your birthday I'll send you something special that month! 
(Your year remains your secret!)

Thanks for signing up!

Join the fun!

Sign up with your email address for updates, offers, inspiration & give-aways! Becoming my Studio Friend is easy and full of great benefits!

Email Address

First Name

Last Name

Birthday /

By submitting this form, you are granting: The Studio Upstairs, PO Box 251, Wheaton, Illinois, 60187, United States, http://HelenCRead.com permission to email you. You may unsubscribe via the link found at the bottom of every email. (See our Email Privacy Policy for details.) Emails are serviced by Constant Contact.

Finches and Flowers

Finch on a Flower, 6x6" oil on gesso board 

©Helen Read

Just a few days ago, as I stood in my kitchen looking out the window, this is what I saw!
From my little finch feeder, a small finch darted down to a coneflower and sat perched on top.

It was not much bigger than the flower itself
and apparently was weightless 
because the flower didn't seem to even notice it was there; still standing tall, graceful and unwavering.
Such colorful beauty - all framed in the deep greenery of the rest of the garden.
 It deserved, I thought as I watched, to become a little composition to share!
 

Brushstrokes, etc. is 10 years old!

Kolrabi, 7x5" oil on canvas  2007

In 2007,  I began working on a much more consistent basis.   My effort was to paint a little bit every day, which I believed was possible even with a family and working full time as a high school teacher. 

Knee High, Snowy Egret, 7x11.5" watercolor and acrylic on paper  2010

What a valuable exercise and commitment!   My work has been varied and has led me down roads of new explorations.  Often I've brought my travels into my work 

Coastal Road, 5x7" oil on canvas   2011

 Painting became another voice.... a way of bringing delightful things into the realm of the visual to share with others.  I've always loved landscapes - which is a reflection of my love of the natural world.  And I've always loved looking deeply into the "ordinary" to find what surprises might be seen!

Jewel Weed,  8.5x7" watercolor/acrylic on paper   2012

Herrick Lake,  8x10" oil on gesso board   2015

As I devoted more time and effort - the results of my commitment have taken flight.  I've been able to communicate the beauty of creation all the more clearly.   And one enduring truth has come clear:  We never stop learning...
there is always more to learn, new ways to grow, and new ways to express that inner voice.

Tall Oaks, 20x16" oil on canvas   2016

 I've had the wonderful opportunity to paint the beauty I see and share my work in local exhibits.  And, it's a wonderful honor to send original work to customers across the United States, as well as in Europe and Asia. 

Lovely Lavender,  6x9" oil on gesso board   2017

Yes, a lot has happened in the last 10 years.  I hope a succession of growth is obvious from top to bottom of these paintings.  Now, I anticipate the next years!   I am excited to think how this journey of visual
expression will develop!   This endeavor is not always easy.  I still work full time, I still have a family (though they are no longer young and in my home, they are nearby and time with them is a high priority - helping, loving, nurturing a new generation),  and of course, just the daily tasks of life!  But, my calling as an artist cannot be ignored, so I follow the path - into joyful color, beautiful shape and form, textures and values. 

What I have learned through these last years is
• Perseverance is vital

• Committing myself to growth is necessary ~ learning is a life long journey

• I must commit to spending the necessary time to see, to be intrigued, to enjoy, and
then to express visually 

• I have little to say if I do not share my work!

• I need the accountability of friends (you!) which motivates me to persevere!

Who Doesn't Love ....

A Great Offer? 

Summer Scents -  7x5" Oil on gesso board
©2017, Helen Read  

 

 

If you are a member of my Studio Friends eMail List, you will get a newsletter at the beginning of the month that has a great offer - or maybe more than one great offer!   Maybe you already are a member, and if you read my last email just a few days ago, you know that I'm stepping it up!  

 
SOLD

 
I have a lot of 

new ideas to make your participation a lot more 

fun!

Here are some things you'll be seeing (but only if you are on my list!)

• a monthly newsletter full of visual images of new work and other newsworthy things going on in my world!

(in my August newsletter, I shared my latest studio work and some big family news with pictures... oh, and in the next newsletter, I'll have even more family news to share!) 

• A special offer at a very special price for that month with free domestic shipping! (Hard to beat that!)
(see the above painting which is the August offer at about 40% off it's regular pricing) 

• If you send me your birthday month, you will get a special birthday email with a birthday give away!

• From time to time, you'll get special discounts or coupons - just for my list members. 

• There's a free gift for new members who sign up and a gift for those who refer their friends who become new members of my list.

• Look for periodic freebies that you can download - just for fun ( something you'd enjoy doing, seeing, participating in, or find inspiring) 

• On various months, I'll run contests and drawings that will offer fun give-aways!  

And who knows!  I'm always on the look out for more ideas!   

My aim is to create something fun, be interesting & informative, and bring value to my friends.
 

One thing I want you to know ~  it's something that I dislike - therefore, it's something I won't ever do - is share your address and information with anyone else!  

 That is why I use a safe email server that protects your information and only sends you the emails that I create. 

So!  What's holding you back!?  

It's easy to sign up!  

 Use the box below - and I'll send you my August newsletter as well as a gift from me to you!
You'll automatically receive future newsletters with all the benefits I've mentioned above!   I look forward to the beginning of a beautiful friendship!  

Thanks for signing up!

Join the fun!

Sign up with your email address for updates, offers, inspiration & give-aways! Becoming my Studio Friend is easy and full of great benefits!

Email Address

First Name

Last Name

Birthday /

By submitting this form, you are granting: The Studio Upstairs, PO Box 251, Wheaton, Illinois, 60187, United States, http://HelenCRead.com permission to email you. You may unsubscribe via the link found at the bottom of every email. (See our Email Privacy Policy for details.)
Emails are serviced by Constant Contact.

Just a reminder that the reason I've asked for your birthday is so that I can send you a little birthday greeting.  (please notice I have not asked for the year!  It's never polite to ask someone's age! )    Once you've signed up, you can expect to receive my August newsletter that went out last week - and a little thank you gift too! 

Star of Bethlehem

Star of Bethlehem, Chicago Flower Market

8x10" oil on gesso board

©2017  Helen Read 

SOLD


Wandering through a flower market (even if quite small) is such an experience for the senses!
There is no end of the colors and variations of colors.  From greens in every possible shade to reds, yellows, purples, oranges, and whites!  It is a will riot of colors and shapes and sizes, of smells and textures... all of it speaking of diversity and beauty!  A testimony of God's creativity!

This little glimpse of the market place is almost dry and will be ready to send soon!

Join my email newsletter list and immediately save your shipping costs!  It's easy and you'll get monthly newsy emails from me with a variety of special offers.  Just click the invite button below!

Friend invite! Join me!!

For Email Newsletters you can trust.