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!