A new work in progress

9x11" Oil on canvas 

Whew.... the wedding is over now - as wonderful as it all was and as much as I loved every minute, there was little time for anything else!  So, now that all the planning, making, errands, showers, inviting, organizing, etc - and then sending the couple off together - is done, I'm back in my studio.  It seems like a long while since I've been able to just work on art!   I'm glad to be back at it again.

I'll post the finished painting when its complete and dry. 

Its been quite a (few) week(s)

Just a few days ago, we celebrated my daughter's wedding!  What a wonderful day and celebration! 
As you can guess, this meant a house filled with family and friends, much preparation and activity, a large gathering for the ceremony and a joyous reception for about 200.   I haven't been in my studio much just lately.... but things are settling down.   I hope to be back at the easel very soon.  In the meantime, I'm posting some things from the archives!

Orange Flower II,  7x7" Watercolor/acrylic on Yupo

© Helen Read 

ready to mat and frame

 

This little painting was done just a year ago.  It's still available.  I painted it from a photo I took of a small orange flower while on a hike in NY.  I had never seen it before, but after some research, I believe it is Jewelweed.  I liked the way the watercolor took to the Yupo paper... It is a very smooth paper and there is almost no absorption, so the paint moves very freely around ~ mixing, blending, drying unevenly.  Overall, it gives a very painterly and somewhat unpredictable effect!  

Recent paintings still available!

This month has been incredibly busy as we prepare for my daughter's wedding.  Its a joyous time, but  I haven't been able to spend as much studio time as I would like, so I'm posting some recent paintings that are still available and ready to be shipped! 

Bird and Berries, 7x5" Oil on canvas

© Helen Read 

 

SOLD

 

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Withered Beauty - sunflower, 15x15" Watercolor/mixed media on paper

© Helen Read 

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Distinguishing Lines,  5x5" Oil on canvas

© Helen Read

 
SOLD

 

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Secret Path, 8x10" acrylic on canvas

© Helen Read 

 

 

Sunflowers, again

Two Sunflowers,  4.25 x 5.5" watercolor/acrylic on paper

©2013 Helen Read 

  I find myself often drawn to paint these beautiful flowers that grow in so many different varieties. 

They also seem to define summer time in some ways too!  

SOLD

Celebrating 6 Years of Brushstrokes, etc.

       Here's a little look at some of my favorite paintings over the last 6 years. Most of these have been sold and are living somewhere across the nation, or overseas! What a great opportunity it has been to meet so many people from so many corners of the world! And I look forward to the next years as I meet more new friends and continue to learn and practice my craft! I have found that it is true of art - the more you learn and know, the more you realize how much you don't know! 
 

Stargazer,  watercolor on paper  2007

Empty Nest Series, Oil on canvas 2008

What Remains Series, Oil on canvas 2009

Three Long Necked Pears, 8x10" Oil on canvas  2010

Coastal Road, Oil on canvas  2011

 

Epaulettes, Oil on canvas 2012

Sunbathers, Oil on canvas 2013

Abstract .... it may be finished!

Water Separated from Water, 32 x 16" acrylic on canvas 

©2013 Helen Read 

I think this may be complete.  I'm still assessing the final form to be sure. 

This one depicts the section of Genesis one that speaks of God's creative forces of separating he water of the planet from the waters of the atmosphere. 

I'm working on a larger series of these first days of creation as recorded in the first chapter of Genesis, this one is the third in that series. 

Sunbathers

Sunbathers, 8x10" Oil on canvas, ©2013 Helen Read 

Not for Sale 

This one is already spoken for .... My attraction to sunflowers continues, however!   There is something so delightful about the festive colors, the way they seem to turn their faces to the sun.  To me, it reminded me of sunbathers of a different sort!  

This one may become a print.  I'll keep you posted!  

Sunrise

Sunrise, 7.75 x 5.5" watercolor on paper
©Helen Read

Ready to mat and frame 

I painted this just this past week as I watched the sun rise through the beautiful canopy of the woods behind me.  What was so amazing was that moment, when the sun shines through with bright colors of the sun's fire - and everything else in that one spot of brilliance simply dissolves. 

This painting is ready to mat and frame, and then bring some beautiful color to your wall.  It is a delightful reminder of that first moment of a new morning and the promise of the day!  

 

 

The progress on my latest abstract

I'm still progressing on this - but I am very close to the final brush marks.   This one is rather larger, therefore it is taking much more time to complete.   This one is part of the Creation Series I've been working on. There is much to say about it, but I will wait until I'm finished to make explanation. 

Golden Iris

Golden Iris,  6x6" Acrylic on clayboard 

© Helen Read 

 

SOLD

Its been quite awhile since I've offered a monthly offer at a special price.  And its been awhile since I've been painting in this smaller scale.  This particular painting is done in a looser style, and it has a somewhat textured appearance in the background.  What isn't readily visible here is that there are some metallic touches of paint on the flower and in the yellow parts of the background.  One sees the golden touch at certain angles as the light reflects off of it. 

To have this small, lovely painting sent to your home, please use the paypal button below. 

It is ready to ship and will be at your door in just a few days!

 

Back at the easel!

This small painting is still in progress!  I've been exploring new supports with acrylic.   This is clayboard.  A few finishing touches are still needed here - but its kind of nice to be working small again.  Most of this spring, I've been working on larger paintings - this is why I haven't posted as often.

Also, its has been an unusually busy spring.  My youngest has graduated from college and now wedding plans for this summer are underway.  And, of course, the end of a school semester is always very busy - but this year, much more than usual.  My last day of school was yesterday, so I do plan to be at my easel much more than just lately.

I'll post the finished version of this one in the next few days.

My progress, though slow, continues

Its been a very busy spring.  That's really an understatement!   Work is always busy at this time of the year with another semester winding up and finishing, all the grading and final grades to do - the school year to finish up and clean up.... but this year, I've also celebrated my youngest daughter's graduation from college and now we are preparing for her summer wedding.   Yet - I am continuing to find a few moments here and there to paint.  This one is in the ongoing abstract series that I've been working on since January.  As you can see, much more needs to be done - but the progress is slowing moving forward.   I hope to have it finished in the next few weeks, so I can move onto the next one I am already thinking about! 

May Offer! Floral Note Cards.

Set of 8 note cards featuring the flowers of spring!  

Finally, after a long wait here in Illinois, spring is unfolding.  

In celebration of that fact, I'm featuring a set of 8 notecards that have 4 of my original art works on them.   They come with white envelopes and measure 4.25 x 5.5" (blank inside). 

 

 

Details, details...

I've just started putting actual brush strokes and texture into the newest abstract... Here's a peek!