Autumn's Debut

 

                                                                      Autumn's Debut

18x14" oil on canvas
painted around the sides
©2020 Helen Read - ready to frame

Please click this link for pricing information and a purchase link.

I love that very first hint of a change of seasons - a change of colors - a change in the air, in birdsong, in the feel of the wind.  The weather is still warm, the sun casts its heat on colors, even the shadows are warm... but there it is, a first debut of yellow and orange.  Autumn is on it's way! 

This painting captures that moment and the sense of change in the air. 
It' is painted in thick paint and vivid color.  Painted around the sides, it is perfect for a floating frame.

Visit my website for more paintings is vivid color!

                                                                                         

When Autumn Leaves Begin to Fall

 Commemorating the carpet on my lawn right now! 

Autumn leaves... in the glory of gold, bronze, red and green... 

This little watercolor tells the story!  

Visit my website for more to see!

Fall is Coming ... So is a FREEBIE!!

 

 

 

Leaves are turning colors and birds are preparing for a fall flight...
But Bluejays stay for the duration!  

 

This little guy is my October free give away! 
One of my friends will be the winner and this mini-painting (3x3" with it's own display easel) will stay in it's new home this winter!    It could be YOU! 

 

Click the button below!
All you need to to is be part of my email friends - you'll get a once a month newsy note which always contains
something special as a gift.  Every few months there is a give away contest, like this little bluejay painting. 

 

There's nothing to lose ~ but many possibilities for fun!  

 

Yes! Add me in!

For Email Marketing you can trust.

Scents of Summer

 

Scents of Summer

Watercolor & Ink on paper. ©2020 Helen Read 

Summer seems to be slipping away - it always slips away too quickly for me! 
Here's a little reminder of the beauty we enjoy during the warm days of the year. 

Watercolor always captures the carefree days of summer time, 

and this was a quick respite from a long week of work!  

Pen and Ink to Watercolor

 

The beginning of any school year is always hectic ... but this year so much more so!  I'm teaching all of my high school students remotely.  All the hands on things we usually do in person is now digital.  It's an entirely different kind of stress!  There hasn't been much time to sit with my own art.  

 But yesterday, Saturday, was a rainy day - and it was a day of art therapy for my own inner soul! 
It's was most needed!  

The top picture is a pen and ink drawing of a garden scene.  I always love the look of pen and ink - lovely detail, delicate shading with line or stipple - it just captures my imagination.  

But the need for color on a rainy day is compelling - so I added watercolor to bring it to life.  

Sometimes you just need, for yourself, to indulge in line, shape, and color.... to free your mind of stressful thoughts, to let your hand flow freely over the page... it's deep therapy! 

Coming SOON!!

 My Summer Creation! is almost finished!!  

 

I'm so excited - this has been on my mind for a long while and it's finally coming to fruit!   I've taught hundreds of students to draw for the last several decades.  So, finally, I've put together a course to teach graphite drawing!  

It's almost ready to go - but visit my website to see all the details:  https://HelenCReadArt.com

I take a low stress, positive approach to drawing for the new beginner or the person who has some background in drawing but would love to take their skills to a new level.   

 In 5 Chapters, you'll learn 

• Observation skills
• Drawing with greater accuracy
• Tricks for proportion and perspective
• How to make seamless shading
• Create realistic textures
• How to accurately transfer an image
• Compositional guidelines
• And from start to finish, how to create a beautiful realistic drawing 

There are 20 demo videos with clear instruction, and over 30 pages of downloadable notes and a variety of other free resources.  Plus a friendly voice of encouragement and support! 

Join my wait list to be informed when it will be ready for registration! 

If you'd love to learn to draw OR if you'd love to take your skills to the next level
ALL while having fun.... this could be just the course for you! 

STAY INFORMED at this link!

 

For Just a Day

Daylily, watercolor and ink

Daylilies - such showy bright buttons of color!  July is the month that they burst into bloom.

This will be my free gift in early August to my friends who receive my newsletter! 

It's easy to get a friendly, colorful newsletter right in your inbox!

You can join me at the button below!  I'd love to be friends!

Let's get connected!

Yes! Let's be Friends!

For Email Newsletters you can trust.

Daybreak

Daybreak, 11x14" oil on canvas
©Helen Read

Dawn can be the most magical time of day!  It's as if colors vibrate and come alive as the sun lights the sky.  Ancient scripture tells us that blessings are new every morning... and so it is!  Beauty is renewed, the birds begin to sing, light and color delight the eye! 

Please click here for pricing information and a purchase link.
To see more, visit my website!   

Proven! After years of teaching drawing....

I know that these 5 Tips work! 
For those who are new to drawing, for those who need a timely reminder, these 5 tips (plus a few more bonus tips) will up your game and do away with common frustrations!

I've taught hundreds (probably thousands) of students how to draw over the years.

These tips come from that experience and from the common things that can get in the way of progress.

My FREE DOWNLOAD will help you draw a better drawing,
(without stress and self-criticism!) 

Click here!  You'll get the immediate download, then several more helpful tips will come to your inbox on the next 3 days!  

 It's all free!! And there's nothing to lose... in fact, there's a lot to gain! :) 

I love helping people become more confident and proficient artists!  Let's connect!  

Check out my website meant for artists and those who love to create!

 

Ruffles and Lace

Coming in just a few weeks  ~

this is my gift in July to my friends!  

I love Irises... such beautiful color!  

My first awareness of irises was as a child.  We lived in Texas on a ranch.  The colors of the summer landscape were green and sand - sometimes a reddish sand.  To get a flower to grow in summer probably meant it was a cactus.  (I learned early in life that picking the beautiful flowers of a cactus was never a good idea!)

But one year I found some iris growing next to a chimney on our property... that was it - just the chimney.  I'm not sure when the house had accompanied the chimney; well before I was around!  And near the chimney were purple irises.... still thriving, still blooming, years and years after anyone had tended them. 

 Such tenacity!  Harsh conditions. Abandoned but thriving. 

You'll be able to download this, print it and enjoy it in your own home, but you will need to get my newsletter to do so!  Every month I send out a newsy note with my latest work, with gifts and links to cool stuff!  

It's super easy to join - just click the button below and you're in!!
My newsletter will be sent during the first week of the month - click the button and watch your inbox on July 7th! 

 

Count Me In!

For Email Marketing you can trust.

FREE, You say?

That's right!  Totally Free!!

YOU can learn the basics of drawing... with the materials you've got at home - and with stress-less instructions right in your own inbox!

I've taught hundreds of people how to draw, and I know everyone can learn!

Sign up and you'll get your first lesson right away - then 4 more... one on the next 4 days.

You'll learn some basics and see your skills improve!

Click the link and get started!

Soon to be announced... a WINNER of this little mini painting!

UPDATE 6/10/20  -  This one is going to Washington State! But sign up anyway, because there will be another give away a few months from now!

And it could be YOU!!  

That's right - I'll be giving this little original oil painting to one of my friends in just a few weeks.  You can get all the details about how to enter your name into the drawing when you get my newsletter in a couple days! 

Click the button below to get the link and when my note comes out on June 2nd, you can enter to win!  Super easy, right!?  

Over the last few years, these little mini paintings have flown all over the US... and I can't think of a better place to send this one than to your house!  

Then once a month I'll send you a little note so we can stay in touch!  My notes always have something fun just for you - free downloads, contests, new work, and surprises!! 

Yes, Please! Sign me up!

For Email Marketing you can trust.

Beautiful Chaos

 

Beautiful Chaos,  30x22" watercolor/acrylic on paper 

©2020 Helen Read 

Ah... the early moments of spring ... just as the first blooms begin to appear - it looks as if the chaos of dried leaves, twigs, branches will never yield life.  

Then... the first buds and blooms appear - as if by magic! 

And once again the triumph of life emerges from what looked like hopeless debris. 

This painting is composed of circles upon circles... thousands of them.
Symbolizing to me, the exuberance of life...in colors of growth.

More Information on Availability of This and Others Here!

 

Freebie Coming in June!

Did you know?   I create a  free watercolor download every month as a gift to those who receive my newsletter!  

This next month, this is the little painting that you'll be able to download, print, and frame.    Just because giving gifts to my friends is, well... fun!!  

If you haven't signed up for my monthly newsletter - you can do it right now! 

You'll get a colorful, friendly visit in your inbox each month

with news, and other fun things!  Some times I have a drawing for a free mini oil painting, discounts, downloads and invitations. 

The next newsletter comes out in early June ~

Sign up right here and watch your inbox!

Please sign me up!

For Email Marketing you can trust.

TWO. Months. In..... to this pandemic shut down!

We've been shut in...and the pandemic continues. 

For some of us, it's been very difficult.  For others we've done OK. 

WHAT IF, THOUGH....

you could use this time to learn a new skill? 

What if, you could try something new without any negative self-talk -  just try something new for fun... and watch yourself get better?  

What if - you could do something you've always wanted to do - but didn't have the time or a friendly plan of action to help you!? 

If you've always wanted to learn to draw - you CAN!!   

 I'll send you Five FREE lessons - right into your inbox; 1 a day for 5 days!  

 You'll find the instruction fun, easy to follow, encouraging, and you won't have to have any special materials!  

I've taught hundreds (probably thousands) of students to draw, and I'd love to 

help you with your drawing skills too!   

Use this link and you'll get your first lesson right away!!

There's no better time than NOW and you have Nothing to lose!!

 

Marsh Grasses

Marsh Grasses, 16x20" oil on canvas
© Helen Read

Not far from where I live is a large green area; much of it is marshland. Just along the edges of the marsh grasses are lovely stands of trees, tall rustling grasses, and a symphony of birdsong. Within all of it is the beauty of bright sunshine and the depth of cool shadows. There's a lovely beauty to it's wildness.

This just finished painting, Marsh Grasses, captures just a moment in time when the glow of sunlight casts its magic! It measures 16x20" is painted in an impressionistic style. It is painted with oil paints and painted around the sides.

 

Please click here for more information on pricing and a purchase link.

Harbinger of Spring

Spring Hyacinth, 6x6" oil on gesso board

Spring takes a long while to finally arrive in the midwest... however, there are a few early arrivals and beautiful hyacinths are one of them. 
Hope that blooms in blues and purples!

Enjoy spring year round!  Hyacinth beauty in lovely cool shades will brighten up a shelf or small space!  Ready to find it's new home!  

Click here for more information on pricing and a purchase link

See more at my website! 

Beginning a New Painting

Toned canvas

Adding some structure - in a purple wash

Some background & middle ground added in

Adding more into the middle ground and foreground

Adjusting and adding cool colors into a basically warm color scheme 

This painting is taking shape.  What isn't so visible in these photos is the toned canvas still having its presence seen in a number of places. 
Especially with the warmer tones showing through, it gives an interesting contrast in a variety of places.  

Lots of painting has to do with "listening" as I work and making adjustments and choices that I didn't see coming.  That's what makes it exciting and mysterious!  

 

A New Website and a Free Painting Lesson!!

In this time of national pause, let's let

PEACE 

overcome 

FEAR

Let's take time to renew our minds and hearts. 

For me, time to be in prayer - time to let the words of Holy Scripture 

soak into my heart is so vital. 

And, I also think the act of creating is a way we can 

fight back against those doubts and fears that can creep in.  

The painting you see above is a free step by step lesson I'm offering through my new

website.  You supply the materials - and I'll supply everything else you need! 

 
So, I invite you to click on the link, follow the menu at the top to gain access to the free lesson, put on some restful music, give your heart a rest from the headlines of the day ~ and create! 

As you create remember this, which gives me hope
and reminds me that we are never alone! 

"Do not fear anything, for I am with you;
Do not be afraid, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, be assured - I will help you; 

I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand." 

Isaiah 41:10

 

my new website:   https://HelenCReadArt.com

 

Teaching Drawing from Home - social distancing

Distance,  12x9" graphite on paper 

In this era of social distancing, I'm learning a whole new way of conducting a high school drawing class!  

ON LINE

It's not ideal, because my students did not have enough notice of our school closing in the advancing pandemic of COVID-19 

to gather all their supplies to take home.  

So, we are making do with whatever we have on hand. 

Over the next few days in the coming week, my students will be watching a graphite drawing in it various steps to take shape.  They (hopefully) will be picking a photo and creating their own value drawing  too. 

Each day I comment on what I've done and the steps they will need to do too. 

It's a grand experiment to see how it goes.  

:)

We keep trying and hopefully there will be progress!  

 

PEACE in crazy times!

We are currently living in such unprecedented, unsettling times....
 

I invite you to 4 1/2 minutes of calming art in the video below to
give you a little peace...

And - fix your mind and heart on goodness rather than getting caught up in the panic of COVID-19.
Let's remember that we are loved, we are cared for and supported,  that God is good and is for us with good intentions.  We can come together (in a social distancing kind of way) and be caring, supportive, and helpful.
I also think making art is a great therapy for our hearts and minds!!  

Watch the video here

If you would like weekly encouragements in your creative work, I'd love to include you in my list of artist friends! 
You'll get weekly tips, techniques, & inspiration!  I'll also send you a free interactive worksheet with 5 small steps you can take today to live a more artistic life! 

Click here to be included! 

 

As artists... we need to be intentional

I know how much I need to be intentional.... 

day by day. 

week by week. 

In the busy world of our lives it's hard to stay connected with our own creative spirits, to be committed to follow the path we were designed to live. 

So many things arise...

get in the way... 

Just this week, things completely beyond my normal routine

Great things... 

have demanded my time and attention. 

Things I wouldn't trade away - but, now I need to get back into the pace of my artistic calling. I need to get back to the things I've been created to do.

Maybe you have wrestled with the same things. 

Here's a link to an interactive work sheet with 5 small steps you can start today. 

You'll also get a little shot of encouragement from me every week in your inbox! 

Click here!  Download the worksheet. We are on this journey together!!   

 

Fab Feb Flowers!!!

February and Flowers go together like ice cream and cones!
This sale is over, but please visit my website to see beautiful floral still lifes!

And MORE February Florals!

February and Flowers go together like ice cream and cones!    

This sale is over, but please visit my website to see beautiful floral still lifes!  

More February Flowers!

February and Flowers go together like ice cream and cones!
Please visit my website to see beautiful floral still lifes.

February and Flowers!

 

February and Flowers go together like ice cream and cones! 

Please visit my website for beautiful floral still lifes! 

 

The artist's process... watch it unfold

Sunshine and Shadow,
8x6" oil on gesso board

It's always fun to watch how a painting unfolds and becomes its finished self!  

 This painting, Sunshine and Shadow, was completed some months ago, 

and is now a free lesson just for you!
I explain just how it was done and encourage you to paint it too!
Included is a video demonstration and step by step downloadable notes with color photos. 

Click here to get the details,
and get started on a beautiful floral still life of your own!

You'll also be added to my group of fun artistic friends where you'll get an inspirational and encouraging note in your inbox week by week. 

And for joining me, I'll send you the interactive worksheet, 

5 Small Steps You Can Start Today

for a more artistic life.  

Living an artful life can be challenging.  But we don't have to go it alone! 

Step Into YOUR Design!

I believe it! 

Each of us was created with a uniquely beautiful God-given design...
and artists are no exception.

It is no accident!
You were created on purpose just the way you are!  

 But sometimes WE have a hard time believing it - and sometimes we let negative self talk and other people's opinions get in the way... lots of things can hold us back. 

But, you can step into your design and move in the direction of the artistic,
productive life you know you were made for!  

5 Easy Steps is an interactive worksheet and it's

FREE! to download.  

When you get your copy, you can start today! 
You'll also get a weekly message of encouragement and tips in your inbox that I've found so helpful on my artistic journey and I know you will too! 

Click here to get your copy!!   I'm excited to sent it to you!

Autumn Enchantment

Autumn Enchantment, 30 x 24" oil on canvas 

©2020 Helen Read 

Oh, the colors of a beautiful fall day are, well... enchanting!  They play off one another with such glory and brilliance.  One color sets off another and the whole landscape glows!  This painting focuses on the multicolored beauty of autumn.  It's highly textured, much of it was done using a palette knife.  Complementary colors are juxtaposed to create a vibrant, eye-catching tension, that is resolved by the softness off the shadows.  

This one is offered with two options - ready for YOU to frame, or framed in a simple black wooden frame that is about 1.5" wide.  Autumn Enchantment is just that, and will be a strong focal point to any room. 

Click here to find out more about this painting, pricing and a purchase link

Got questions?    Let me answer them!  Send an email at this link.

My January "give away" ....

That's right -  GIVE AWAY!    Every few months, I paint a little mini painting and give it to a friend. 

Tomorrow, I'll pick the name - it's not too late!  

You'll need to text the word    HELEN  to 22828 to join my list,  then send me an email 
with the word contest in the subject line.  

That's it!   What you'll get from me is a once a month email with fun stuff (like the give away contest), and newsy updates, and downloadable art... and other things that I think you'd like.   It's a fun way to stay in touch and enjoy the world of art together!  

So easy!

Take a second and join me now! 

Looking Back - What's ahead?

2019

Was a year of steady artistic growth and pushing beyond the boundaries of what's comfortable. 

That seems right - doesn't it?  Artists take risks.... that's just part of the path. 

Getting out of our comfort zone... is where things really start to take shape. 

That looks different for each of us. 

Here's a bit of where 2019 took me

 Color became more saturated and color harmonies became more of the focus. 

This final painting shows where I'm headed.  It is still unfinished - the bottom section only shows the underpainting, but I continue to explore color and how to make it sing with relationships and juxtapositions.

 All of these and many more can be seen at my website!  

2020 - I'm excited to see what it will hold!