Winter Resident

December Featured Painting!
 
Through 12-31-2011

Winter Resident, 6x6" Oil on canvas

©2011, Helen Read
 

SOLD!

Here, where I live - we have cardinals that reside with us all winter.  Their bright colors are so evident on the snowiest and coldest days.  I often wonder how they survive, but they seem to do quite well!  I also see their presence as a beautiful expression of how God provides for our needs in the not-so-plentiful seasons of life! 

  Now's a great time to purchase for Christmas giving or for your own home!  It's an eye catching spot of color to brighten winter! 

What I've been up to lately

 This is actually a commission, but its kept me busy for the last few weeks.  It measures 11 x 16".  I started by making the canvas.  I prefer to make my own; there's a great craft in stretching a canvas, sizing it and priming it.  It is painted with oils (Gamblin). 

It will be out of the studio very soon ~ off to its new home.  I'm happy with its outcome!  Its been a fun thing to do ~ I hope the client likes it as much as I do!    I'll post the final picture when its completed.

For more information on commissioning a painting - please email me! 

Spiraling Leaf

Spiraling Leaf, 6x6" graphite on clayboard

©2011, Helen Read 

Ready to Frame 

 

This small drawing is pencil on clayboard.  I really like the way clayboard and graphite work together! It is a very smooth surface on a rigid board, about 3/8" thick.  

The curl and shape of these kinds of leaves intrigue me.  This drawing starts to lean toward abstraction as I tried to emphasize the wonderful shapes it has.   This would make a very nice addition to  a small space!   Its easy to have it sent to your house!   Click the link above to find out how!  

Autumn in full color

Autumn's Glory,  10x8" Acrylic on Canvas 

©2010, Helen Read 

Ready to frame

Autumn is here!   It is really quite beautiful, although I always feel a little sad about saying goodbye to the warm weather, the birds, & the leaves.   In this painting, it seemed the best way to comment on the season was to allow the canvas to explode with color!   Where I live, the color is glorious!  

 

November Featured Painting - Sardinian Sunshine

Sardinian Sunshine,  6x6" Oil on canvas

©2011, Helen Read 

ready to frame 

Sold

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 

 

SOLD

 

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

SOLD

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

SOLD

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!