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Monday, October 28, 2013

Dried leaves and flowers

Dried Flowers, 10x8" oil on canvas
©Helen Read  

This fall has just evaporated!   Do you ever feel that way?   I've had many irons in the fire, as I usually do in the school year.  But its been complicated by the fact that I'm also taking 6 hrs of graduate work at the same time.... interesting.... but time consuming! 
So, my studio time has been very much limited.  And what time I have been in the studio has been spent working on a larger abstract.  So, I'm posting this fall painting in the meantime.  Its one of my favorites from a couple years ago - and its still available!  

Monday, October 14, 2013

Fall is here!


Fallscape,  12x10" Oil on canvas
© Helen Read
 
Its such a beautiful time of year, full of color!   This is a small plein air painting - where I captured the magnificence of the colors of fall!  So many warm colors of orange, reds and shocking yellows!
It is painted in an impressionistic style - rather loose and free.
Let this come to your house for a beautiful dash of color! 

 

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

New Abstract Underway


detail of larger painting
This time of year is always very busy ....  but I have started and am working on another larger abstract in the series of abstracts I've begun. 
This one, as you can see, has some textured elements in it.  Again, I'm working with the idea of small circles and using acrylic paint for its vivacity. 

I hope to have this one completed soon! 

Saturday, September 28, 2013

Yay! 2 new homes!

Thank you for participating!! 


These two small paintings are headed to their new homes! 
And the profits will be donated to a family in extraordinary need. 
Thank you! 
Its exciting to be able to offer help to them, and participating in this auction helped to make it possible!

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Benefit Auction - ends very soon!

        Its not too late! Yet...

       auction ends on Saturday 9/28
scroll to my most recent post to find out the
          story about who benefits! 


Bird and Berries
Bird and Berries, 7x5" Oil on canvas
Please click here for the auction link

Hollyhock Stalks
Hollyhocks, 8x8" Oil on canvas
Please click here for the auction link

Dusty Landscape
Dusty Road, 5x7" acrylic on paper
(matted for an 8x10" frame)
Please click here for the auction link 

Saturday, September 21, 2013

BENEFIT Auction Starting Now through Saturday September 28th

From time to time, a need comes to my attention to which I want to give help ~
and yet, my own financial ability to help is very limited.
So, with this auction of 3 paintings, all the profits will go to help this family that is struggling with some very profound needs.
(read more of their story below)

Please click the link below each image to be taken to the auction site -
Each painting is started at a great starting price of $30 + shipping.
Please bid on one of these original paintings to be sent to your house, and know that the purchase has
been for the benefit of a family in need.

 Hollyhock Stocks,  8x8" Oil on canvas -
gallery wrapped and painted around sides - no need to frame
©Helen Read
 

 Dusty Landscape, 5x7" Acrylic on textured paper
matted in an off white mat to fit a 8x10" frame
©Helen Read
 


Bird and Berries, 7x5" oil on canvas
ready to frame
©Helen Read
 
Please click the link under each image to be taken to the auction site! 

Some information about the family in need: 
This family lives half way across the country from where I live.  The mother, after her husband's numerous affairs and drug arrests, removed herself and her 4 children from the marriage.  Shockingly, when they married, this kind of scenario was impossible to imagine, he did not give any evidence of choosing such a path.  After they divorced, she has struggled to raise the 4 children on limited income and to also remain a close and connected mother, raising her children to be strong and productive young people.  Her struggle has been magnified by the father who moved to the other side of the country and is now residing out of country, and has shown very little responsibility for the financial care of his 4 kids.  The mom has been able to find work, but in this economy, not enough work to fully support her family.   

To add to the situation, a major plumbing problem at her house has resulted in the need to cut off the water.  For almost 6 weeks, she's been relying on rainwater for washing water, an old (undrinkable) well for water to flush toilets, and the kindness of neighbors who have provided drinking water.  Its almost unthinkable that this could be happening in our country.  She does not qualify for social services in her area because she does own her home.  Even buying food is often in question.  She has many burdens to keep her family functioning each and every day, as she continues to seek additional employment and yet be present to provide love and care for her children. 
Perhaps you've been or know someone who is also struggling.  Its hard to imagine this kind of daily struggle if you haven't experienced it in any way.  My heart goes out to her, because I too have had a period of time in my life with my three children, when things were very uncertain. 


If you bid and win one of the 3 paintings above, all profits will help this family in a very immediate way.  And, if you think of saying a prayer for this family, that would be very much appreciated. I've come to know in my own life that prayer is a very effective and powerful resource.   The family I've told you about is one of strong spirit and faith, and would also appreciate your prayers.

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Pastel Paintings

Original Pastel Paintings

Each of these is ready to mat and frame
What a great deal!
Please click on the link under each painting for all the information to have it sent to your house!  
 Lone Tree, 6x8" Oil pastel on paper 

 Evening Sky - Rose, 6x8" Oil pastel on paper 

 Reflection, 6x8" Oil pastel on paper 

 Streak of Orange, 6x8" Oil pastel on paper

November Tree, 8x6" Oil pastel on paper 

Please click the links for more information on how to make a pastel painting yours!

Sunday, September 1, 2013

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Newly Redesigned Website!



Please visit my newly "remodeled" website!  Take a few minutes and look around;
its easy to navigate... I'm still in the process of learning all that is available to me there, and I'm uploading photos. 

I'm looking forward to continuing to make it more interesting and useful to collectors as well as adding things to interest other artists. 

Here's the link:   HelenCRead.com

Please leave me your comments in the "contact the artist" section.  I'd love to hear you opinions and any suggestions you might have to make it even better! 

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

A landscape & architectural structure!

Tunkhannock Viaduct, 9x12" Oil on canvas
© Helen Read
 
framed in cherry frame - ready to hang
(Domestic shipping included, IL residents please add 8% sales tax)

In this painting, I hoped to capture the grandeur of a landscape with man-made architecture in it. The lighting and the magnificence of the structure were of equal interest to my eye. 
I happened, very unexpectedly, upon this scene traveling through northeastern PA - and was completely captured by the beauty of craftsmanship and creation! 

Friday, August 16, 2013

More progress on my newest painting

Progress Continues! 

The next few steps are shown here.  I've started putting in a little more substance to the bridge and a few spots of shady green below.  You can start to see a little more of he light and how that is affecting the colors. 

Even more work has happened on the bridge here! 

I'll be posting more in the next few days.  I hope to have the final version soon thereafter!

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

First steps - a new painting


I've just gotten a step or two done here - this will be a new 9x12" oil - It will be a landscape, though right now, it looks much more architectural.  I started with a careful drawing of the structure (which is the Tuckhannok Viaduct - from a reference picture I took in NE Pennsylvania).  The structure is amazing to see - extremely tall.   I hope to capture its grandeur.  And below it is a wild growth of foliage and rather tall trees. I was particularly captivated by its beauty and grace ... a lovely reminder of what went into construction 100 years ago. 

I'll be posting pictures of the progress!  Keep watching! 

Friday, August 9, 2013

Etsy! A variety of items available.....

Come visit my Etsy site! 
I've just added items after a studio cleaning!   


 
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