Join me on Facebook!

Thursday, September 28, 2017

In Comes October!

Golden October, 12 x 9" Oil on Linen Panel
© Helen Read
 
A year or so ago, the colors of our fall leaves (here in the midwest) were lovely.  This year, after a summer of almost no rain, it's mostly just brown.  So, I'm posting this painting that is a still available to celebrate the beauty of October yellows against the beautiful clear blue sky! 

Saturday, September 23, 2017

Geraniums in Full Bloom

September Geranium, 8x8" graphite on clayboard
© Helen Read 


Sunlight and shadow - beautiful detail.  These things are so easily depicted in graphite on a smooth surface.  In this case, I've used the ultra smooth surface of clayboard with a variety of pencils.
These are some of the last blooms of summer time.  I always feel a little sad at the end of summer, even though I truly enjoy the beauty of the fall colors.  Nevertheless, summer flowers are fading and on their way out.
I've tried to capture the full life of the geranium with this drawing.... holding on a little longer, perhaps, to summer!  

Friday, September 22, 2017

Goodbye Summer!

Evening Embers, 10x8" oil on linen panel 
©Helen Read

What a busy end to summer it has been!
I've been working on a few new things in the studio, but have had many interruptions.  So - I'm reposting this lovely sunset painting from almost exactly 1 year ago.  Don't you love the last burning rays of a summer sunset?
THIS summer, I have witnessed almost nothing of the sunsets we enjoyed last summer... it has been a much more cloudless summer, and dry.  So, I'm glad I captured the beautiful drama of the skies last summer!

I'll be posting new work soon!
Enjoy this one as a farewell to summer on this first day of fall! 

Saturday, September 16, 2017

And the winner is.....

American Goldfinch, 3x3" oil on canvas
on wooden easel 

This little painting will be making it's new home in Georgia! 

Congratulations to the contest winner,
who is one of my wonderful Newsletter Friends! 

I will be offering contests such as this one to my newsletter friends every few months. 
Newsletters should be fun!  They should have news, of course (to go along with their title), but they should offer a lot more.  And that's exactly what I've been trying to do... offer something interesting, something fun, and something you will think is valuable!  

If you aren't sure about adding your name - maybe worried about getting flooded with lots and lots of emails? - worry no longer! 
I'm just me ... I don't have a huge company with a whole lot of marketing strategies. 
Actually, I work full time as a high school art teacher and I keep regular studio hours when I'm not at work! 
As you can probably tell, I don't have time to write more than about 1x a month - and when I do, I want it to be something you'll really enjoy. 

So, I'm adding fun things each month.  The opportunity to receive discounts, participate in contests, give aways, etc come to you month by month.  And I hope we can develop some dialog so I know what is important to you and what kind of art you most enjoy. 

Scroll down to the previous blog post and you will find a sign up form. 
When you sign up for my newsletter, your name will be added to my list.  My emails come to you about the first of each month and I use a secure safe email service.  Please don't worry about your info being shared elsewhere - it never is. 
Also, when you sign up, you will get a special "thank you" email.  

So what's holding you back? 

Join the fun!
You can never have too many friends! 

Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Don't Let This Pass You By!


That's right!  Last month, my special offer included a "member discount" for one of my newest 
paintings AND a contest to pick a winner for a free original painting! 

There's just 1 catch....

 I only make this offer available on my newsletter list.  

It's actually a win-win, because you will get: 

  • About 1 email a month with lots of visuals and news from my studio (and sometimes other news!)
  • Special monthly discounts, give-aways, and contests 
  • A chance to give me input about future projects and work. (Your opinion counts!)
  • Also, you will often see things first or hear about new ideas before anyone else does. 
  • If you send me your birthday month, I'll send you a little something special
  • New members get a little gift for signing up!
  • Being a newsletter member is  FREE!  (Not much in our world is free, when you think about it)
  • And your information is safe - I use a secure service and I never share your information 

It's so easy to sign up.  Just fill out the information below and you'll be signed up and will receive the next newsletter which will come out around the first part of October!  

So, why not? 
There's nothing to lose and lots that you'll enjoy receiving from me!
And while I'm thinking of it, maybe you have friends whom you know would be interested in joining too.  
So please share my information with them.
(And let me know by email if you referred a friend.  If they become a member, I'll send you a thank you!)



Saturday, September 9, 2017

By Any Other Name....


Unfolding, 8x8" graphite on clayboard
©Helen Read 


Every day at school,  I teach students the art of drawing.  Now that
school has started this fall, I'm back in my classroom teaching students to see and draw
Line
Shape and Space
Texture
To shade for light and shadow (Value)

Yes, it can be pains taking.  It can take a long while to accomplish what the eye sees.
It takes time and perseverance to achieve the sense of 3 dimensions rising from a 2 dimensional surface. 
But, the results are so pleasing.  Even black, white, and gray comes alive! 

While I do love color - I also love the simple beauty of graphite drawing! 

Tuesday, September 5, 2017

Autumn Approaches

Withered Beauty - sunflower, 15 x 15" Watercolor/mixed media on paper
© Helen Read 
matted in white to fit 20x20" frame
ready to frame 



There is a beauty - even in the withering - the paper thin drying of the petals, still retaining a bit of their color.
Autumn is approaching... you can feel it in the air.
Yet, even in this transition from full bloom into dormancy, there is a certain beauty.
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...