Lilies for a Day

Lilies for a Day, 10x8" oil on gesso board
© Helen Read 

Have you ever wondered why these orange beauties are called Daylilies?   Well, they only bloom for ONE day! 

That's it!  Just 1 day.  The beautiful blooms you see one day are withered the next day... even when you cut them and put them in water... the next day, they are done.  

This arrangement with some foliage and two small hydrangeas lasted just long enough to paint it... but even when I was painting, the flowers were slowly changing!   It makes you appreciate the beauty while it lasts!  Which, I suppose, is true of many things in life!  Appreciate the moment!  

This painting is ready to frame, but I also have a framed option!

To see this and more of my work, please visit my website!  

Fly away, fly away.... to Pennsylvania!

The winner is.... in Pennsylvania!   

This little mini painting and it's easel have just been sent off to PA!   

YOU could be the next winner!!  

Here's how: 

• Every 3 months or so, I hold a contest for a free mini painting and easel... that's right - FREE!  
• In order to enter the contest, you'll need to get my once-a-month news note with all the details. 
• When you enter the contest, your name is put into the virtual hat 
• And on the specified date, I randomly pick a winner!  

Isn't that easy?!! 

But, you won't know about it or how to enter it unless you get my news note. 

What's in the note each month?? 

So glad you asked! 

• First of all,  an uplifting friendly note from my heart to yours 
• You get early peeks at what's happening on MY side of the easel! 
• I very often give a great discount on a particular painting, and part of the proceeds go to a worthy cause, helping people in need
•  Downloadable, free art that YOU can print and enjoy!
• And every few months, a contest for an original work of art!  
• It's a lot of fun... and I never inundate your inbox!  I just send a colorful, arty note each month.
  
  You might wonder about your email address getting shared elsewhere.... nope! 
  NEVER!  
  I use a secure email service... I hate spam and I'll bet you do too!  So your email is safe!
  Are you ready to join the fun!? 
  There are 2 ways to join me...

 1.  Text the word HELEN to 22828 and sign up on screen! 

or 

2.  Hit the button below and sign up!  

Yes! Let me sign up!

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Lavender Fields

Lavender Fields, unframed -  5x7" oil on gesso board
© Helen Read

 

Framed with a contemporary wooden frame in black 

Lavender is one of my favorites!   And though it doesn't grow all that well where I live, I do have some lavender that is blooming in my yard!  (It even made it through our very severe winter!)   I love the color and I love the smell!  This lovely small painting is currently being exhibited, but will be ready to send at the end of this month.
Unframed, it is ready to frame and send.
or
Framed, it is ready to hang!

What could be better?!    THIS lavender is in bloom year round! 
 

Please click here to see this and other lovely paintings! 

Ode to Peonies

Ode to Peonies,  7x5" oil on gesso board 

© Helen Read

Sold

 

I love peonies.  I wish they bloomed a little longer than 1 short week.  I gathered these out of my garden and added a few sprays of Lady's Mantle flowers.  Someone told me that they never fade when you've painted them.... I like that!  These lovelies are gathered together in wonderful blue mason jar ~ ready to bring color to your wall all year long!  It is ready to ship, frame and hang!  

 

By the way, in just a few days I'll be sending out my July news note - and there will be a contest again this month for a free mini painting.  If you don't get my news note, where all the details will be found on how to order -
just text the word HELEN to 22828 and you'll be signed up!  
I'd love to share a little painting with you!   You'll also be able to download and print one of my paintings each month!  I offer my friends discounts and of course, news from my side of the easel! 

 

For the Monarchs

Milkweed, watercolor on paper

 ©2019, Helen Read 

It was two years ago that I found this tall, volunteer plant in my yard - I wondered where it came from since I knew I didn't plant it.   I also knew that it was a milkweed stalk - beautiful and stately.   It's flower is a composite of tiny flowers that start out light green and mature into a lovely pink sphere.  Try as I might, I never saw a caterpillar on it ... until this year!  A tiny caterpillar was feasting on a leaf... a particularly colored caterpillar that would indicate a future monarch butterfly was being fed!  

This little painting is a freebie for my friends this month of July!  That's right!  A free print to download - which is something I give away every month to my friends (each month a different print).  I'd love to send one to you too!  It's easy to get signed up so that you receive something fun from me every month.  Every few months, I have a contest to give away a mini painting - which is an original oil painting and its small easel.  Each month,  I have discounts that are available to my friends, and of course a peek at what's just coming off the easel. My monthly note to you is the best way I have to be a friend and to stay in touch! 

Click the button below and you can add your name to my friends list!  Let's be friends!!   

To see more of my creative work, please visit my website! 

Yes! Let's keep in touch!

For Email Marketing you can trust.