Visual Art is a beautiful language using the elements and principles of art. As a painter and art instructor for many years, I also enjoy writing, nature, family and friends. The world of art is fun, challenging, exhausting and renewing all at the same time!
Please note, I am no longer using paypal. I'm in the process of removing paypal buttons. Secure credit card purchases are still available on my website! https://HelenCRead.com
A year or so ago, the colors of our fall leaves (here in the midwest) were lovely. This year, after a summer of almost no rain, it's mostly just brown. So, I'm posting this painting that is a still available to celebrate the beauty of October yellows against the beautiful clear blue sky!
This little painting will be making it's new home in Georgia!
Congratulations to the contest winner, who is one of my wonderful Newsletter Friends!
I will be offering contests such as this one to my newsletter friends every few months.
Newsletters should be fun! They should have news, of course (to go along with their title), but they should offer a lot more. And that's exactly what I've been trying to do... offer something interesting, something fun, and something you will think is valuable!
If you aren't sure about adding your name - maybe worried about getting flooded with lots and lots of emails? - worry no longer!
I'm just me ... I don't have a huge company with a whole lot of marketing strategies.
Actually, I work full time as a high school art teacher and I keep regular studio hours when I'm not at work!
As you can probably tell, I don't have time to write more than about 1x a month - and when I do, I want it to be something you'll really enjoy.
So, I'm adding fun things each month. The opportunity to receive discounts, participate in contests, give aways, etc come to you month by month. And I hope we can develop some dialog so I know what is important to you and what kind of art you most enjoy.
Scroll down to the previous blog post and you will find a sign up form.
When you sign up for my newsletter, your name will be added to my list. My emails come to you about the first of each month and I use a secure safe email service. Please don't worry about your info being shared elsewhere - it never is.
Also, when you sign up, you will get a special "thank you" email.
That's right! Last month, my special offer included a "member discount" for one of my newest
paintings AND a contest to pick a winner for a free original painting!
There's just 1 catch....
I only make this offer available on my newsletter list.
It's actually a win-win, because you will get:
About 1 email a month with lots of visuals and news from my studio (and sometimes other news!)
Special monthly discounts, give-aways, and contests
A chance to give me input about future projects and work. (Your opinion counts!)
Also, you will often see things first or hear about new ideas before anyone else does.
If you send me your birthday month, I'll send you a little something special
New members get a little gift for signing up!
Being a newsletter member is FREE!(Not much in our world is free, when you think about it)
And your information is safe - I use a secure service and I never share your information
It's so easy to sign up. Just fill out the information below and you'll be signed up and will receive the next newsletter which will come out around the first part of October!
So, why not?
There's nothing to lose and lots that you'll enjoy receiving from me!
And while I'm thinking of it, maybe you have friends whom you know would be interested in joining too.
So please share my information with them.
(And let me know by email if you referred a friend. If they become a member, I'll send you a thank you!)
You cannot watch the news without a heavy heart~
Here's a way to offer some support for those affected by Hurricane Harvey I've started an auction of these 2 original oil paintings. All proceeds will be donated for disaster relief in SE Texas and Louisiana. Auction ends Wednesday 9/6/17 approx 5pm - CST
Star of Bethlehem (Chicago Flower Market), 8x10" oil on gesso board
This auction starts at $120.00 bid with free domestic shipping!
SOLD!
I was born and raised in Texas, so this disaster seems a little close to home, even though I do not currently live in that area. This auction is a way that I can turn a surface, paint, and my vision into practical help. And, it is a way that someone (like you) can own lovely original artwork!
I hope you will participate. Time is limited to just a few days. Click the links to see how the auction is progressing, lend a hand and make a bid! I'd love to package these paintings and send one of them to your house!
Update - Post Auction
Both of these paintings have found their new homes and over $300 was raised for hurricane relief in Texas. Thank you for your interest! May we all continue to keep these people and those of Florida in our prayers.
As tiny as a little finch itself, this small painting is textured and detailed and it will be sent to a lucky winnerin September!
My September newsletter will be sent in another few days with the full information about how to enter the contest and win this original painting (with it's small easel). It is the perfect size to sit in a book case or a table top. If you have not already joined my fun email group, it's easy to do! You'll get to participate in give-aways and contests, get freebies and gifts, and receive news and discounts. Just enter your information in the form below and you'll be added to my list and get my newsy newsletter!
MiniPainting with it's easel.
Don't miss out! Join the fun and enter to win this little original painting!
Here's the sign up! Oh, and if you include your birthday I'll send you something special that month! (Your year remains your secret!)
Small treasures - small surprises. The world of God's creation is full of life, and color, and abundant growth!
Look at all the various shades of green, punctuated with pink and browns and finally a small goldfinch.
Such beauty to be found!
In another week or so, I'll be sending out my September mailing
and Guess What!
There's going to be a little contest for an original little painting give away! You never know... you might be the winner!
So, all you have to do is sign up below. Not only will you be included in all the future fun stuff I send (about once a month), but you will be able to participate in the September contest and you'll get a "welcome gift" that I think you'll enjoy.
Its completely free.... so you have nothing to lose, but its only available to my friends who receive my email news.
Here's the sign up! Oh, and if you include your birthday I'll send you something special that month! (Your year remains your secret!)
In 2007, I began working on a much more consistent basis. My effort was to paint a little bit every day, which I believed was possible even with a family and working full time as a high school teacher.
Knee High, Snowy Egret, 7x11.5" watercolor and acrylic on paper 2010
What a valuable exercise and commitment! My work has been varied and has led me down roads of new explorations. Often I've brought my travels into my work
Coastal Road, 5x7" oil on canvas 2011
Painting became another voice.... a way of bringing delightful things into the realm of the visual to share with others. I've always loved landscapes - which is a reflection of my love of the natural world. And I've always loved looking deeply into the "ordinary" to find what surprises might be seen!
Jewel Weed, 8.5x7" watercolor/acrylic on paper 2012
Herrick Lake, 8x10" oil on gesso board 2015
As I devoted more time and effort - the results of my commitment have taken flight. I've been able to communicate the beauty of creation all the more clearly. And one enduring truth has come clear: We never stop learning...
there is always more to learn, new ways to grow, and new ways to express that inner voice.
Tall Oaks, 20x16" oil on canvas 2016
I've had the wonderful opportunity to paint the beauty I see and share my work in local exhibits. And, it's a wonderful honor to send original work to customers across the United States, as well as in Europe and Asia.
Lovely Lavender, 6x9" oil on gesso board 2017
Yes, a lot has happened in the last 10 years. I hope a succession of growth is obvious from top to bottom of these paintings. Now, I anticipate the next years! I am excited to think how this journey of visual
expression will develop! This endeavor is not always easy. I still work full time, I still have a family (though they are no longer young and in my home, they are nearby and time with them is a high priority - helping, loving, nurturing a new generation), and of course, just the daily tasks of life! But, my calling as an artist cannot be ignored, so I follow the path - into joyful color, beautiful shape and form, textures and values.
What I have learned through these last years is
• Perseverance is vital
• Committing myself to growth is necessary ~ learning is a life long journey
• I must commit to spending the necessary time to see, to be intrigued, to enjoy, and
then to express visually
• I have little to say if I do not share my work!
• I need the accountability of friends (you!) which motivates me to persevere!
If you are a member of my Studio Friends eMail List, you will get a newsletter at the beginning of the month that has a great offer - or maybe more than one great offer! Maybe you already are a member, and if you read my last email just a few days ago, you know that I'm stepping it up!
SOLD
I have a lot of
new ideas to make your participation a lot more
fun!
Here are some things you'll be seeing (but only if you are on my list!)
• a monthly newsletter full of visual images of new work and other newsworthy things going on in my world!
(in my August newsletter, I shared my latest studio work and some big family news with pictures... oh, and in the next newsletter, I'll have even more family news to share!)
• A special offer at a very special price for that month with free domestic shipping! (Hard to beat that!) (see the above painting which is the August offer at about 40% off it's regular pricing)
• If you send me your birthday month, you will get a special birthday email with a birthday give away!
• From time to time, you'll get special discounts or coupons - just for my list members.
• There's a free gift for new members who sign up and a gift for those who refer their friends who become new members of my list.
• Look for periodic freebies that you can download - just for fun ( something you'd enjoy doing, seeing, participating in, or find inspiring)
• On various months, I'll run contests and drawings that will offer fun give-aways!
And who knows! I'm always on the look out for more ideas!
My aim is to create something fun, be interesting & informative, and bring value to my friends.
One thing I want you to know ~ it's something that I dislike - therefore, it's something I won't ever do - is share your address and information with anyone else!
That is why I use a safe email server that protects your information and only sends you the emails that I create.
So! What's holding you back!?
It's easy to sign up!
Use the box below - and I'll send you my August newsletter as well as a gift from me to you! You'll automatically receive future newsletters with all the benefits I've mentioned above! I look forward to the beginning of a beautiful friendship!
Thanks for signing up!
Just a reminder that the reason I've asked for your birthday is so that I can send you a little birthday greeting. (please notice I have not asked for the year! It's never polite to ask someone's age! ) Once you've signed up, you can expect to receive my August newsletter that went out last week - and a little thank you gift too!
