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!

The next new thing....

This is the next abstract in the series I'm working on in my studio.  In the midst of an extremely busy month at work  (the all school student art show), I'm managing to put together a few
brushstrokes in the evenings.  

This is 2 views of the same painting in process.  This one depicts the 2nd day of creation when God separated the waters above the earth and on the earth.  This is only just begun ... there's much more to do, so I'll keep posting photos as I go!   

This measures approx. 32 x 18" - acrylic on canvas

From the Archives

Winter Tree,  approx 14 x 11" colored pencil on paper

This is an older drawing ... something out of the archives!    These last couple of months have been busy and I've been working on larger paintings.  So, I haven't posted as regularly as I would like.  

This drawing is in a private collection, but its one of my favorites from years back. 

The actual tree, which was my reference picture, is one of the oldest in northern Illinois.  This picture really only shows a portion of the entire tree - its enormous!   

 

Finally Finished!

Separation, 22x30" Acrylic on canvas
©2013 Helen Read 

After some weeks of work, this painting is now finished. 
This is the second in a series of paintings I'm working on in my studio.  They are larger and consist of dots and circles. 
To see the first in this series, please click here.

In this painting, I'm exploring the idea of the first day of creation.  Genesis tells us that on this day, God separated light from dark.  To me this brings forth the idea of pulling light out of darkness, which is how earth's state is described prior to the start of God's work.
As I worked with this painting,  I began to wonder if this is where the spectrum of light was first established.  You can see that spectrum taking shape as the bands of darkness and light are being pulled apart. 

The use of small dots and circles, to me, evokes a sense of joy and delight - which I believe describes the heart of God as creation begins.  Color is also used to depict beauty.  The dynamic composition using swirls, suggests the enormous power and strength of a mysterious God who has the power to call light from dark. There is a sense of eternity suggested as well.  

And once again, if you look carefully, you will see the hint of drops of blood, which is a foreshadowing of the need for redemption that precedes all of creation.  Even before His creative work had started, God knew that He would redeem all of it - by His own sacrifice.  

My next abstract will explore the 2nd day of creation.  I hope to begin it soon.

Almost done!

The work continues!   I'm nearing the finish line, here - and hope to have its final posting in just a few days.  The colors are coming together - if you look closely you'll see the spectrum of light divided up.
All of this is created with many, many dots and circles.  

I'm still deciding if I want to orient it horizontally or vertically.

More to come - soon!!

What I've been working on lately ...

Second in the series ... but not yet done, this painting measures about 24 x 30", and it is
acrylic on stretched canvas. 
I'm working on an abstract series that depicts the days of creation.  This one shows the First Day when God separated darkness and light.  

I'm not quite finished with it yet, but I'm making progress. 

In the meantime....

Sunflower,  colored pencil on black paper

©Helen Read 

I continue to work on a much larger piece with my studio time.  Why is it that it seems there is never quite enough time to do all that I want to do??  

Well, in the meantime, I'm posting this little drawing.  My students are just about ready to start on a similar project as they learn about color.

I hope to have a finished view of the larger painting I'm working on very soon!