Winter Grandeur

COMING in JANUARY!

 A Tiny Give Away Painting! 

Winter Splendor,  original painting!  Acrylic on a rigid canvas surface.
Just the thing to brighten our winter doldrums!  

In the first week of January, you'll get a colorful newsy note in your inbox with all the details about how to enter to win this little painting. 
It has a magnetic backing, so it can be attached to anything metal.  Or, it can be placed on a tiny easel (available at art supply and craft stores) to sit on a desk or shelf!  

If you haven't signed up for my 1x a month news note, it's easy to do! 
Every month I bring you a colorful look into my studio and what I'm working on.  You also get exclusive discounts, contests, and free art I make just for my friends.  It's all good fun and it's a great way to stay in touch and find out the latest from my side of the easel. 

Use the button below and you're signed up! 
(In the meantime until my January note is sent,
you'll get a welcome note from me with a FREE gift inside!) 

UPDATE:  This little painting has just winged its way to Georgia!

 

Yes! Let's Stay in Touch

For Email Newsletters you can trust.

Site Wide Sale!

 

Just through Monday 11/28! 10% off all paintings and prints. https://HelenCRead.com Use the checkout code FRIDAY2022 at checkout! You'll receive beautiful art (domestic shipping is included), you'll be supporting a small business, and giving hope to trafficked girls (a percentage of all profits will be donated to that worthy cause!)

Sold & Framed!

 

It's always delightful to send off a painting to it's new home.  And the framing just makes it that much more exciting!  I love the gold and black frame for this 10x10" painting.  It gives it a touch of Tuscany, I think!   I hope it brings colorful joy to its new home! 

October Blaze, Completed

 

 

October Blaze, 16x20" oil on canvas

Finished and dry. The beauty of fiery color against the prairie grasses and background trees not yet having turned their colors intrigued my artist's eye. Bring the brilliant colors of autumn into your home year round! 
It is painted around the sides, perfect for a floating frame. Visit here to find out more!  

October Blaze

 October Came in a Blaze of Color! 

I've had a larger painting on my easel this month.  I'd like to say it just flowed off my brush, but honestly it didn't.  I know why... I've been pushing myself out of my comfort zone and it has been challenging.
I've been searching for new color harmonies, and new ways of applying the medium.  New expression, so this painting has been something of a journey. 

It's still drying, but this is a glimpse of how it has come to be. 

Preparations with sketches, thinking about colors with colored pencil. I did a small watercolor to get a sense of the colors I can envision. Is it pleasing? What am I trying to express?  Do these colors, though not exactly natural, read? 

 I like the juxtaposition of lavenders and golds with orange.  What colors do I need to use in oils?

Here, I'm deciding on a color palette (which, as it turns out, needed adjustment). 

A toned canvas and oil sketching large shapes
Then, I began laying in layers of color. 

 

Is this working?  I don't know - I'm having lots of second thoughts.  Again, being in uncharted territory (growth!), I find myself doubting everything. 

So, I am rethinking the palette - am I using the right colors that truly harmonize?  Do I need to make changes?  I did a quick and small oil study on canvas paper using some new colors - particularly changing my blue.  I think a few palette changes are going to be a good idea.  This tells me that what I'm envisioning IS possible.

This is the point when I have to just persevere. It feels like it may never come together.  

 I've decided to use a palette knife to create texture, and
I've worked on the foreground - using a smaller brush to create a sense of motion
 

 

I also realize I need to work on values (and color) in the tree. 

 

This shows more work on the foreground
and some changes in the sky

The sky is too monochromatic.  It needs to show some kind of value change, and I think at this point, a temperature adjustment near the tree line. 

So, I'll go a little toward green nearer the horizon and a little toward violet at the top of the canvas. I will also not blend it completely, allowing a hint of my brush work to show.

This is my stopping place as I wait for it to dry.  It has helped to take photos along the way, keep notes, and yes - I've prayed for direction and for understanding as I've proceeded into the unknown!

October Blaze, 16x20" oil on canvas
 

Sunflower Hedge

Sunflower Hedge, 6x12" oil on gesso panel 

©2022  Helen Read 

In September, Sunflowers adorn the edge of the woods - dancing and nodding in the breeze, 

turning their faces to the sunshine. 

This painting explores the use of warm colors placed next to cool colors.  

Find out more about it here! 

 

Shown with a frame

Framed or unframed, domestic shipping is included!

Wayside Wonders

 

 

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 

 

 

 

 

From the Garden

 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! 

A Little Glimpse

 "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. 

I'm not sure where this leads me - but watching colors mix and how they play off each other, watching the fluidity of the watercolor... it is captivating to my imagination.  

Lilies and Lace

 

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 ~ abstraction from nature

 

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!

Coming in August! A tiny painting give away.

 

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!

 

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Here's this month's gift!

 

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!  :) 

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Beauty on the Wing!

 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