COLOR, Color, color

Today, as I write this - our high temperature of the day was   -15˚F.   And, and all of nature is gray or covered in white. Is it just me - or - does this time of year cause us to long for color?  Bright, expressive, beautiful color is in short supply, so I'm in my studio creating it!   This large painting-to-be (2'x3') has it's under painting finished ~  which, in my color-starved opinion is quite lovely just as it is!  But - it will become a landscape painting.  The work is underway and since I'm home (everything is cancelled because of the polar vortex we are experiencing) I have a couple days to work without interruption.   (That's a rare thing!)

It's exciting to anticipate what it will become - I have planned it out, of course - and know the way in which I will be directing it to unfold... and yet, the surprise of it's final form is something I don't fully know!  I'll post more soon! :)  

Beautiful Color!

Peacock, 8x6" colored pencil on paper
(matted in white to fit 10x12" frame)
©Helen Read

Please visit my website to see a gallery of works!

Color! Color!  It's found everywhere in God's beautiful creation!  Vivid and bold, showy and bright!  Peacocks embody the very idea of gorgeous, overflowing color!  If you've ever seen a peacock up close in sunlight, they shimmer with iridescent greens and blues and golds.   At this gray time of year, color is pure therapy!  Just what my artist's eye needs! 

My January Give Away - Flying to San Diego

This little mini painting - 3x3" oil on canvas with a display easel - has been won by one of my newsletter friends!  From snowy Chicagoland to warm, sunny San Diego - it has found it's new home.  It's easy to find out the details about the contests I have every few months where I give away a little painting.

Text the word Helen to 22828 to be added to my friends list!  (Or you can click the button below.)  You'll be the happy recipient of a news note each month - and in it, you'll find something fun each time... discounts, free downloads, news, contests, etc.  You've nothing to lose, and lots to look forward to!  Besides, you can never have too many friends!  :) 

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In 2019 - Set a Goal and Keep It!

photo - rawpixel on unsplash

    As a visual artist, I've become a big believer in goals. But setting goals can be tricky, and maybe a little overwhelming. My best intentions can be so easily overtaken and left in the dust by life! It's happened to me - more than I might like to admit. But, I doubt I'm the only one...

    As this new year is just beginning, it's a good time to set some goals - make a plan for where to go this year and how I plan to get there. I found some interesting statistics from a Forbes Article citing a study done by the University of Scranton. The study found that only 58% of us make any kind of resolution or goal at the beginning of a year.... 42% of us don't even try. The article goes on to say that about 8-9% of goals setters succeed in achieving them and 49% have some success. So the good news is that setting goals has value, and the best success comes from clear and specific goals. Isn't that hopeful!?
    This is what I've found helpful and successful in my own life these last few years:
Read more

There's still time to enter and WIN!!

This little guy is ready to fly! 

This little 3x3" oil on canvas mini painting with a little easel for display will be winging its way to a new home... and it will be a free gift to one of my friends!   In a few days when my once a month friends news note comes to your inbox, you'll get all the details!  

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or  just click the button below. 

Here's what you get when you receive my news note!
Fun news and downloads,  discounts and contests, and you get a glimpse into life as it comes to me! 
You can be sure you won't get inundated by notes from me all the time ( who has time for reading that?  and I don't have time to write and send more than 1x a month)   And you can be sure your email is never shared - I use a secure email service.  

Really, there's nothing at all to lose!  And, since you are a friend, I love sharing stuff with you!  

So, before you forget - or before my newsletter comes out and you've missed it, sign up now!!    I can't wait to send you the details in the first few days of January!! 

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Winter's Gloaming

Gloaming,  12x9" oil on gessoboard

© Helen Read

Wooden black frame - measures 1" deep and 3/4" across the top

Here in northern IL, December and January - even all the way into March - can be quite gray, and... well, drab. 

And the hunger for color begins to gnaw at the artist's heart.  

So, this painting is my shout out to color, in response to a monochromatic world.   

I used color to say, really, how beautiful the bare landscape can be.  The trees with their reflections stand as sentinels keeping watch for the return of life.   This painting also has additional depth with texture - the brushstrokes being allowed to sit on top of layers of color.   

Please visit my website to see this and other beautiful landscape paintings!