Morning Chill

 Morning Chill,  11x14" oil on canvas
©2025 Helen Read

Winter in the north can have very minimal color.
While creation is sleeping, the world is covered in a snowy blanket with blue shadows of all that
stands tall in the landscape.  On a clear day, the sky can be a beautiful azure.

As a painter, I was attracted to the way the shadows pulsed across the landscape in bands of blue, the brightness of the sun, defusing its light through the branches of the trees, and how much subtle color can be seen in the white snow.

 See more of this painting and others at my website! 

Day's End

 Day's End
7x5" oil on Canvas

SOLD

Don't Miss This Spring Super Sale!

 

How do you bring vibrant spring color into your home?  Color that never fades...   

Visit my collection of Spring Paintings  that are
listed at 40% off

Now through April 9th!  

Domestic Shipping is included!
Framing Options are given! 

This small gems are packed with joyful color that reminds us of th

Sketchbook Explorations are Essential!

 

Playing with color and with marks and with composition - you figure out possibilities with sketchbook explorations.  Starting with no expectations, it's fun to see what just unfolds as you go!   Who knows, this one may be the inspiration for a new painting!  

This sketchbook painting (acrylic) measures 6x6".  I think it would make a lovely large wall statement! 

Some of the process is shown below of the stages. 

 

 

 

Thundering Waves - Abstract Painting

 

Thundering Waves,  16x20" acrylic on canvas
©Helen C Read 

If you love an oceanic theme and colors, that is what this painting evokes.
There is an implied sense of strength and power in the brush strokes and depth of blues and greens.
The textured canvas reminds us of terra firma. 

 Check out all the details up close at my website! 

Take a look behind the scenes and see my process for the painting 

Leave a comment!  Are you intrigued by abstract work?

New Floral Painting - Amber in Blue

 

Amber in Blue  -  12x6" acrylic on canvas
SOLD

This painting really was an experiment.  It started on a gessoed canvas, painted with blues and magenta, sprayed with alcohol, dried and then loosely painted with acrylics.  I'm not sure if it lived up to my imagination as I started the experiment, but I think it has become an interesting, very impressionistic painting.  

This painting is a FEATURED PAINTING just for March 2025!  It is priced at about 55% off - $180.95.
Domestic Shipping is included!  

It's usual pricing is $329!   See the details right here!  Don't let this amazing pricing pass you by! It's a bright pop of color for that small wall! 

Winter Wonder - watercolor painting

 Winter Wonder
watercolor on paper 

This painting is my Free Download to my Artful Friends for the month of February. 

Overshadowed - Abstract Painting

 Overshadowed,  18x24" oil on canvas      

 

More experiments in the realm of abstract painting.   This one uses some metallic gold oil paint and is highly textured.  Colors of blues/violets and gold.  

This will be posted on my website as soon as it has dried.

 

Win this FREE original painting in January!

 Sparrow,  3x3" oil on canvas panel
with magnetic backing
©Helen C Read 

This bright-eyed little sparrow will wing its way to one of my Artful Friends in January!   Sometimes we think of sparrows as being small and ordinary - maybe even a little drab.  But, when we stop to look closely, we can see that they've been created with a lot of intricacy!   This little bird is a year-round friend, staying near even in the winter.  

How could YOU win this little painting?  Become an Artful Friend!   It's easy and it's fun... Once each month, you'll get a colorful note from me right in your inbox.  You'll find out what's happening in my studio and I always include something special that is exclusive to my Artful Friends;  like a give-away contest to win an original small painting, or downloadable art that you can print which I make just for my friends, or special discounts that are only available to you!  There's nothing to lose!  Sign up with my secure email platform is easy https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/3srWvuZ/ArtLoversNews

The details about entering to win this little painting will be in my January news note! 

Oh, and when you sign up, you'll get a welcome email with a gift right away!  Then, look for my newsy note during the first week of the month!   Being friends is fun - especially for Art Lovers!  

Windswept Tide

 Windswept Tide, 20x20" acrylic on canvas
©2024 Helen Read 

More information on this painting can be seen here

Delving into abstract painting is challenging, but it is also invigorating.  As this painting began to make itself seen, I began to imagine something aquatic and powerful.  The blues and greens, quite calming colors, are interrupted by metallic golds and coppers.  And the sweeping composition is less than calming, implying power and force.  

 

(a detail photographed in low lighting to show the metallic parts of the painting)

 

The sides of this painting are painted (as shown below) so framing is not needed.  But should it be desired, a floater frame is suggested so that the sides can be seen. 

Shown in proportion within a room setting. 

Please visit my website to see more art that may be perfect for your home!

Landscape Paintings in a Local Exhibit!

 Your invitation to a vibrant, colorful landscape painting exhibit

December 2 - 29th, 2024
at
Indian Prairie Library
401 Plainfield Rd., Darien, IL  

Ten paintings that mostly come from the geography of the Midwest.
All four seasons are represented. 

You can also see all of these paintings (and more) at my website!

Abstract Experimentation!

 Abstract art has many different "styles".
I'm not a fan of all of them, but some styles and textures and colors really draw me in and engage with my emotions and imagination.   I've been using my studio as a lab in these past weeks -
an opportunity to learn, to try new things, try different colors together. 

Who knows what might come of these ideas! 

Beside Still Waters

 Beside Still Waters
16x20" Oil on canvas
© Helen C Read 

The beauty of still water - even on this hot summer day - reminds me of the 23rd Psalm.
There's a sense of calm and peace... that all is well in the world. 

That's something we particularly need in our time! 

This painting can be seen at my gallery website. 
It is painted around the sides and would be perfect for a floater frame.

Take a Peek! Do you love seeing the artistic process?

 

(Unfinished - still on the easel.  Check out the YouTube video below to see my process so far!)

I always enjoy seeing the artistic process that other artists use.  There are things to learn, and new ideas to try.

This latest painting is still on my easel.  It measures 16x20" and is painted with oil on stretched canvas.  I took the reference picture at Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL on a hot summer day.

You can see the process I've used in this short 4 minute video that explains how I started and have proceeded so far.  It's not yet finished but when it is, I'll title it and it will be seen on my gallery website (https://HelenCRead.com)

See the Youtube video here!

Make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel while you are there!