Wayside Wonders
7.5 x 5.5" watercolor on paper
©2022 Helen Read
There are so many things to be seen and that inspire wonder...
Along the sidewalk, these wildflowers were waiting to be seen!
Phlox, oak, goldenrod, and more!
Matted in white for an 8x10" frame
More on this painting can be found here
Garden Party, 9 x 12" oil on panel
SOLD
These lovely coneflowers were growing in my neighborhood. I've been wanting to paint them for several years. Yesterday (and today) was the day!
This painting has sold and is now in its new home in China!
"Playing" in the studio is important... and I so easily forget to spend time doing just that. Trying new things ~ no expectations. Just seeing what might occur.
It's good for the artist's spirit. It's a way to subtly build skills. And it's a way to listen to the inaudible directives of art making.
Lilies and Lace, 8x8" oil on cradled panel
Painted around sides, so framing is optional.
© Helen Read
This is exactly what is blooming in August along the sidewalk near my house... such a study in contrasts! Daylilies in their bright orange clothing next to the lacy details of Queen Anne's Lace. See more details here: https://www.helencread.com/workszoom/4784950/lilies-and-lace#/
Beautiful Chaos,
30x22" acrylic on watercolor paper
(matted in white for a 36x28" frame)
©HelenCRead
Ready to frame
An abstracted view of spring just as it begins to flourish with new growth and life.
One of my favorite times of year - after the long siege of winter grays, new color and new life bursts forth, almost as if it is singing a song of joy!
For all the information, click here!
Do you love to receive gifts? Who doesn't??
I also love to give gifts!
In my next newsy note that will come out in early August,
this little painting will be a give away to someone from my group.
Blanket Flowers, 3x3" oil painting,
painted on a rigid panel with a canvas surface and magnetic backing.
This little painting has been awarded to it's winner in
Australia!
But there will be another give away in the near future!
So, be sure to hit the JOIN button below so you'll get the details!
It's not too late to join us! When you do, you'll get a fun, colorful message in your inbox once each month. You'll see what new things I've been working on, I include a variety of great things like: discounts and pre-debut special pricing, give away contests, and free art downloads. You'll get an insider's view of what's going on in my studio and what's currently on my easel.
When there's something new, you'll get all the details and fun suprises!
Be an "insider"! It's easy - it's free - it's fun - and you won't be overrun by inbox stuff!
This is how you can join!
I love giving gifts of art to my friends! Every month I have something for you - it could be a free print that you can print (such as the bluebird above), or a discount, or a contest for a free original mini-painting plus always a friendly news update on art, my studio and life!
Art lovers get one very visual friendly email a month. It's a great way to stay in touch and to let you know what's happening from my end. I always love it when you reply and I get to know what's going on with you too!
It's easy to sign up! Just click the link which will take you to a short form to fill out. I use a secure email server, so you info is protected and never shared. Then, you'll receive an email from me on the first Tuesday of the month with fun surprises! :)
What better time to feature the beauty of birds than mid-summer?!
Spring Song and Bright Plumage,
when sold together and shipped to the same address
4x4" oil on panel
Ready to frame
$145.00
Click here for a purchase link!
Special pricing is applied when both are purchased together
and shipped to the same address.
Bright Plumage,
4x4" oil on panel - Ready to frame
$80.00
Click here for a purchase link
Spring Song,
4x4" Oil on panel
Ready to Frame
$80.00
Click here for a purchase link
Delphinium,
7.5 x 5.5" watercolor on paper
matted in white to fit an 8x10" frame
© Helen Read
A few years ago, the most beautiful delphinium bloomed (unexpectedly) in my yard! It was a deep, rich purple color and almost took my breath away! Sadly, the following year, it did not return. But I found a ragged little delphinium at the end of the season plant sale and brought it home, wondering if it would survive our rather severe winter temperatures. The following spring, it bloomed... but not with the deep purple color I was expecting. It was a lovely lavender that leaned toward light blue but also with some rosy tones. Several years later, it has now spread and sent up multiple blooms of this soft lavender-blue! Of course, that was an invitation to paint it's portrait!
It's ready to send to its new home! Find out all the details here!
This lovely painting will bring a spot of calm color to a bedroom, office, or living room... well, just about anywhere! A framed option is also available. See the details at the link above.
Lilac Charm,
10x8" oil on gessoed panel
©Helen Read
I love lilacs and am so happy each spring when it's time for them to bloom.
Their sweet scent and lovely color is gone all too soon, though... then we wait another year until they return! The great thing about a painting is that it never fades or wilts! The colors are vibrant and beautiful year round!
This lovely painting is available unframed or framed (see below).
All the details are found at my website:
click here.
Below see what this painting looks like when framed, and also what it might look like in a room.
Inspiration ~
that magical feeling that artists have as they create!
Hold up! Maybe not! …what if “inspiration” is over rated? If you are like me, there are times when inspiration seems illusive, and you find yourself saying things like:
“I don’t know what to create”
“I’m out of ideas”
“I’m not inspired by anything”
“I don’t feel like creating”
That’s when an internal voice entices us to stop and wait for inspiration to arrive with a spark of creativity. I’ve experienced that… and sometimes I still have those feelings crop up. But, I’m learning to get to work in spite of them. Listen to what this well-known composer said:
“I’m inspired about every 5th day, but I only get to the 5th day when I show up on the other 4 days.”
~ Tchaikovsky
Inspiration comes to us as we are working. Crazy, isn’t it? It’s rare that inspiration arrives while we are waiting for it. We may have an idea we want to explore, but really, it is as we are working that inspiration truly comes to call. Does that seem surprising?
It comes in the nitty gritty, when we encounter unexpected snags that need a solution. Problems lead to new ideas and new approaches. It’s as we are creating that possibilities begin to flow. On the other hand, procrastination (or waiting for inspiration) usually results in unrealized creativity or unfinished work. What might have propelled us forward is delayed or derailed. (This applies to just about any area of life, doesn’t it?)
I’ve said it before, and I believe it every time I start a new work; Every painting (or sculpture or drawing or piece of music) is an act of faith ~ we are giving substance to what is unseen. I’m finding that by stepping into my creative work regardless of how inspired I may (or may not) feel, inspiration will usually follow!
It may not feel like much is happening for the first 4 days, but wow! exciting possibilities await on the 5th day! As it turns out, Inspiration is there waiting for us to show up!
Download my FREE Inspiration Tips pdf! These are three things I use and that you can do right now that will invite inspiration!
©Helen C Read
Photo Credit: Jon Tyson
Visiting the Chicago Botanical Gardens, I was captured by the serenity of this lakeside scene.
Such profusion of color. It was as if each of these sunny flowers had turned their faces toward me nodding in the breeze.
Deep shadows contrasted with the sparkle of sunlight. A reminder of the abundance and
delight of nature.
For all the details & pricing on this painting, visit my website.
Scroll down a bit and you'll see this same landscape done in watercolor. Using the same reference photo, I'm now working in oil paint. There are certainly differences because of the medium.
Here's the progress so far!
It measures 11x14" on stretched canvas.
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