November Featured Painting - Sardinian Sunshine

Sardinian Sunshine,  6x6" Oil on canvas

©2011, Helen Read 

ready to frame 

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This painting is one that I did for Virtual Paintout.  One uses Google Street View to find a spot worthy of painting - and then a painting is done (thus the name - Virtual Paintout) 

I really liked this view particularly for the dramatic shadows on the side of the white wall. 

The whole thing gave the feeling of being in sun drenched Sardinia!  

 Maybe it would make a nice gift!   Or maybe it would be perfect for that small space or shelf that needs some original art!   Either way, its ready to be shipped to its new home!  

LAST CALL! $30 for just a few more days!

October's Featured Painting is almost over! 
  

Green Agave, 6x6" Watercolor and Acrylic on clayboard 

©2011, Helen Read 

 

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Dried Flowers

Dried Flowers,  10x8" Oil on canvas

©2009, Helen Read 

 

Well, this has been an incredibly busy month!   I have a small painting drying, which I'll be able to post soon.  I've also been working on a commission.... and then a million things with my semester at school too.  So, while I wait for paint to dry, I'm reposting this fall painting from a couple years ago. 

I tried to depict the paper thin, dried white flowers of this vine I found in my neighborhood.  It also had some very interesting brown berries.  I'm sure the birds enjoy it through the winter time.   Fall seems to be rapidly overtaking us now... it won't be long till all we see are dried remnants of summer!  

still working .....

I haven't put this aside entirely, though it has been awhile since I've worked on it.   Lately, I've done more work...  

Its large!   28 x 27"  And entirely abstract.  I'm using acrylic on canvas and have attached some textured materials.  It is painted in acrylics and really, I've only just gotten a start (mostly just an under painting so far) - it will be much more painted.    My inspiration?   The cosmos!   I'll be posting updates as I make more progress. 

Fall is upon us...

Barely There,  8x10" Oil on Canvas

©2009, Helen Read

 

Where I live, fall is definitely upon us.  Its been gloriously warm this last week, but all the colors are beginning to show and vibrate with color.  It won't be long until just a few leaves are left clinging to nearly bare branches.    

I'm currently working on some larger paintings in between all the other things that seem to keep me very busy with work and family.  I hope to post some updates soon. 

Featured Painting for October! Agave.

Agave, 6x6" Acrylic and watercolor on clayboard

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The latest from my studio is offered at the very low "featured price" of $30, just for this month  or until it has sold!  This one is done on clayboard, using acrylic and watercolor.  

I love the shadows and jagged edges that show up on the leaves and in the shadows. 

Points North Landscape

Points North, 5x7" Acrylic on canvas

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Agave, once again - in progress

This is an experiment!   I have used clayboard for graphite and colored pencil.  But, I was intrigued by the info on the packaging saying that it would be suited to water media.... so..... this is watercolor on clayboard.   Perhaps the subject matter is familiar?  Yes, its the same reference picture as the colored pencil I just posted! 

I'm finding out that clayboard does not take the paint like paper!  It does seem to soak in and it isn't easily pushed around - but I also like the way the paint disperses!   So.....  this is just a start.  I'll finish it and post it and give my final analysis! 

Agave - The edge of shadow

The Edge of Shadows, 9x12" Colored Pencil on black paper 

©2011, Helen Read 

 

This came from reference pictures I took when visiting Huntington Gardens in Pasadena, CA.  The beautiful shadows and sunlight hitting the leaves were especially startling just after a sudden shower. 

I was intrigued by the interesting edges and how the shape of them was repeated in the shadows as well.   I am always intrigued by the beauty of botanical subjects.  This one attests to my interest!  

Blossom - finished work

Blossom, 8x8" Colored Pencil on Clayboard

©2011, Helen Read 

Ready to frame

 

Its finished!   I learned a lot about working on this surface with colored pencil.  Actually, I think clayboard is better suited to graphite than to colored pencil - but I am happy with the outcome. 

It is a pretty vivid piece, and would look fantastic framed and hanging in a small space!  I'd love to send it your way!  

Blossom ~ Progress continues!

8x8" Colored pencil on clayboard 

As you can see, if you scroll down one entry, I've made a lot of progress on this little colored pencil painting.  I'm using Prismacolors on white claybord.   Its posed a few challenges - which I'm still working out.  And, I'm still putting the finishing touches on certain areas.  Overall, its been a good experiment, and I'm pretty pleased with the outcome.   I'll post the final version soon!  

Blossom ~ work in progress

Work in progress - 8x8" colored pencil on clayboard 

I've been interested in trying this surface for colored pencil for awhile.  I've used it several times for graphite and really liked the outcomes.... and for colored pencil, it also seems to work well.  There is almost no tooth, however, and that is a slight difference for building up layers of color.  Also, I typically work on a not-white surface for colored pencil... my favorite surface is actually black paper with very little tooth.    But, nevertheless, I think this will turn out well.   My reference photo is one I took just after a rain storm when the sun had come out.  You can see a few water droplets still clinging to the leaves.  

See below for the works I've done using this surface with graphite.  

Email me for more information on these finished works!

September Featured Painting

Featured for the month of September

 

Points North,  5x7" Acrylic on canvas

©2011, Helen Read 

SOLD

 

As a feature each month, I've been offering a small painting at a fraction of its normal selling price. In the past 2 months since I've started this practice, its seemed to be a very popular idea with everyone!  These small paintings have sold quickly and those who have purchased them got a great price on a small original. 

This painting was one I did with Virtual Paintout.  A place somewhere on earth is given each month and using Google Maps, we find a place and paint!   This one comes from the area of Fairbanks, AK,
a beautiful wooded country road with a few small flowers in bloom along the roadside. 

 

Pears ~ still feels like summer!

Three Long Necked Pears,  8x10" oil on canvas

©2010, Helen Read 

Still feels like summer!  So, I'm reposting this little still life.  Today starts the first day of the new school year - so I'm off to work again! 

More new work will be posted soon!