Quiet Escape

We all need a quiet escape once in awhile!
a place to collect our thoughts, let our imaginations loose, and enjoy a peaceful break from the
busyness of daily life...

Country Cottage, 12x9" Oil on gessoboard
© 2018  Helen Read 

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I found this little cottage on one of my "get aways".   I was wandering through the beautiful grounds of Descanso Gardens and almost hiding behind the foliage I came upon this!  While it may have very likely had a practical purpose, it ignited my imagination.  It seemed to me that it could have fit into a fairy tale, or perhaps a Jane Austen novel.  

Whatever thoughts it evokes in you, it does exude peace and remind us of quiet getaways, which we all have need of at times.

It is still drying and will be ready to send to it's new home in a few more days.  Add a moment of whimsy and charm to your space!
The purchase price includes domestic shipping!

Look below to see a quick video of it's production... it's always interesting to see how a painting comes together!  

The allure of color

    It draws the eye in..... beautiful vibrant color.  

Almost too much for the eye to see;  with all it's nuances and it's depth. 

The immediate weeks of summer break after a busy teaching year are a time of transition.  I look forward to summer and then when it's here, I know it's going to go quickly... so, I want to pack in as much as I can and start immediately.  But, rest is needed.  Time to slow down, reflect, think through where I've been in this last year and where I need to go.
It takes a few weeks of a slower pace, catching up on sleep, and quietly letting ideas take shape.
Transition.

So in these last few weeks, I've been cultivating my garden, cultivating my thoughts and ideas, as well as planning and working on a new painting, which I'll share in an upcoming post.  

Somehow - color, in this process, is a catalyst.  Such depth of beauty causes the mind to soar.   This delphinium blooms for such a short while each year - but it's vibrant, rich color stirs my mind.  What is it that draws you in?  How are you given to notice and celebrate which in turn inspires you to do deeper? 

Also....

This little guy has found it's new home!   This was my June gift to a special email friend.
Throughout the year, every few months I give a small painting away!
The only way to find out about it is from my email, which comes out at the start of each month. 

Then, I assign a number to each entry and use an internet site to randomly pick one of the entries to be the winner. 

You'll need to sign up for my email to know when this is going to happen.  It's super simple.  You can either text the word
Helen  to 22828

or 

 Click the button below! 

Now you are all set, and you'll find out about my next give-away! 
WELCOME!   You can never have too many friends!   And, I'm so glad I can call you a friend! 

Yes! Sign me up!

For Email Newsletters you can trust.

No, it's NOT too late!

But it will be in a few more days!  
This little mini oil painting will be given away on June 20th! 
It's easy to get the details -  Join my list of friends and  you'll receive instructions about how to enter the contest.

Not only that, but you'll get a fun & friendly monthly email with news from my place to yours. It's a great way to stay connected in this disconnected world! 
I include free downloads, my latest work, discounts, and contests. 
I also include encouraging words that we all need to hear from time to time. 

It's easy to join - just click the button below and you'll be "in"!   

Join the fun right here!

For Email Newsletters you can trust.

Perfect Beauty!

Peony Bloom, 7x5' oil on gessoboard
© Helen Read 

     One of my favorite things about spring is the beautiful array of flowers!   Where I grew up, we did not have such an abundance of variety.  There were beautiful wildflowers in bloom, and sometimes they covered the fields in blue or orange or yellow for a few weeks  ... but in term of garden flowers, it was mostly too hot.   Now, where I live, after the long siege of winter (which sometimes seems endless), we have a delightful succession of colors and shapes and sizes and ... scents!!  

    My first real introduction to peonies was in one of my first homes in Wheaton.  It was an old farm house that had a neighborhood grow up around it.  And along one whole side of the home were about 40 feet of peonies in various shades of pink.  They were a delight of springtime with a scent that was indescribable... a little like a rose, but something of it's very own.  

    My current home has a lovely display of peonies in the backyard, and so it was inevitable that a painting would have to happen!  It's been a very busy few weeks with the end of the semester at work - but - I found time to capture the exuberant color and beauty of a single lovely bloom before peony season is over!  

It comes ready to frame and domestic shipping is included!  Add a little bit of vibrant color to your walls!  It is drying and will be ready to ship in a few days!