Garden Guardian

 Garden Guardian
8x10" oil on gessoed panel 
©HelenCRead 

This painting comes from the same reference picture as the previous posting.  I wanted to do a visual comparison of the same reference photo, done in watercolor and now in oil paint. 

The reference photo comes from a photo I took at the Chicago Botanical Gardens. 
The sweeping limb of the tree seemed, in the moment, to be standing guard.  A gate keeper for the garden beyond!  

It will soon be ready to send to it's new home, to grace it's walls with the peace and beauty of summer woodlands. 

Find out more about this painting at my website 

 

Emerald Archway Watercolor

This painting, Emerald Archway, comes from a reference photo I took at the Chicago Botanical Gardens.   I was intrigued by the wide sweeping branch and the beautiful hues of green.    It measure 5.5 x 7.5" watercolor on watercolor paper.  Below see it matted in white matting - ready to drop into a 8x10" frame.  

See more details about this work at this link. 

 

A Mini Painting Give Away for July!

 Summer Delphiniums
3x3" oil on canvas

It's true!  About once each quarter I paint a mini painting to give away!    So far, these little paintings have made their way across the US and to Australia and to the Philippines!  I've been doing this for years, and it's fun to be able to send some joy to one of my friends!  

You can find out how to put your name in the hat for the drawing by becoming one of my Artful Friends.  You'll get a colorful artsy note in your inbox once each month.  (No chance of your inbox being overrun.  I don't have time for more than 1 email a month!). Each month, I let you know about news and give a peek behind the easel, and I include something with you in mind.  A give away painting, or downloadable art that I've created, or a special discount just for my friends.  It's easy to sign up and when you do, you'll get a welcome email with a little gift right away.  
sign up here:  https://artfulfriends.subscribepage.io    

Let's Be Friends!  

Petite Painting Sale! Autumn Joy

 

It's still happening! Autumn Joy is being featured just for a few days as it seeks to find its new home. There's never been a better time to start or add to your art collection. This size painting usually sells for $207, but for the next few days (Until April 29th) claim it at $99! It is sold unframed, and ready to drop into your standard 5x7" frame. ($12 domestic shipping is added). Just email me:  Helen@HelenCRead.com  and I'll send the purchase information. This lovely is ready to send to someone who loves it!

 

Lavender Fields - A Spring Petite Painting Sale

 

 

Ahhh - the calm beauty of lavender! This lovely is part of my Spring Petite Painting Sale! Lavender Fields is aptly named! It measures 5x7" and is painted on a gessoed panel. It is ready to drop into your 5x7" standard frame. At about 1/2 price for a limited time, this is a great offer! $99 (unframed) + $12 domestic shipping. Just comment "SOLD" or message me and I'll send you purchase information. Act quickly, this offer only lasts until 4/26 (or until it's claimed!).

Let it Begin! Spring Petite Painting Sale

 

I've been doing some spring studio cleaning and am making way for new work to be done.  I have some lovely petite paintings that are looking for their new home!   My Spring Petite Painting Sale begins today.  I'll be releasing paintings day by day at about 50% of their usual pricing.  

The first to be featured is Ballarinas,  5x7" Oil on Gessoed panel.  It is sold unframed at $99.00 (usual pricing is $207.00)  $12 is added for domestic shipping.   

Claim it quickly if it is one of your favorites!  Email me:  Helen@HelenCRead.com  and I'll send purchase information so it can be on it's way to brighten your space!  

Amber Afternoon

 

Amber Afternoon

14x11" oil on gessoed panel

©  Helen Read 

 

There's beauty to be found in the marsh along the edge of the lake.  And in the late autumn, there's a magic moment when the afternoon sunlight lends a warm glow to the landscape.  Serenity to the soul!  The meandering waterway caught my attention as it winds its way forward changing its color from almost colorless to clear blue and then to deep violet peeking between the glowing grasses.  It's an invitation to breathe deeply, enjoy the peace and enter the wonder of God's Creation.  

 

See all the information on this painting here.  

 

Winter Cardinal! a January give-away!

 It is time for a give-away painting!  This little Winter Cardinal (3x3") is an original oil painting on canvas, with a magnetic backing.  It will find it's way to it's new home in just a few weeks!  

 Every few months, I paint a little painting and I give it away!  My Artful Friends will get an inbox message in the coming week and all the details about how to enter to win it will be there!   But, you'll need to get that inbox message!   

Becoming an Artful Friend is easy, free and fun!   You'll get a colorful, artsy note from me about once a month so we can stay in touch.  It's a friendly note with news and new work, and something fun each month just for you (like a give away contest, or free art to download, or a special discount on my website)!  Sign up here and you'll get a welcome message with something fun to download and print!    Then watch your inbox in the first full week of January!   

UPDATE!  This little painting is finding it's new home in the Philippines!  

Sunset at Sea

 

Sunset at Sea
20x16" oil on cradled gesso panel

 ©Helen Read 

 

I began this painting in November - but because of the travel and the family circumstances, it became a December painting to finish.   Capturing the glory of a sunset is challenging.  The color of Light can't really be fully shown with earth-bound pigments.  Even so, I wanted to try to express the wonder of this moment!  

 

It is still drying but will be posted on my website soon!   

Maple Flame Watercolor

November and December took me on a path I didn't expect, and my creative work had to wait for a bit. 
I traveled unexpectedly to Texas to be with my mom who had rapidly declining health and then passed away peacefully at the age of 95. I'm so grateful that I could be with her and enjoy the last few days with her and be present with her at the very end.  It's taken me a little while to get back and pick up my brushes again.  The Thanksgiving-Christmas season has also added to a different pace.  

But I do have a few more paintings to post from the end of 2025: 

 

Maple Flame - 5x7" watercolor, matted for 8x10" frame

 

The brilliance of this orange/red maple in full color against the blue sky and less colorful trees caught my attention.  I needed a small painting to get my creative spirit moving again!   

 

Local Exhibit - Gloaming

 

Gloaming,  has been honored and is currently included in the Autumn Color exhibit at the DuPage Art League until October 27th.    If you are local, stop in and take a look at the beautiful work from local artists!    

This painting comes from a photo I took at Herrick Lake, a local Forest Preserve in DuPage County. It was in late fall as sunlight lit up the beautiful colors, a signature of autumn!  

Update - I'm pleased that this painting won  a merit award in this exhibit.  

 Or, see this painting on my website!  

Celestial Dream

 Celestial Dream 
20 x 20 x 1.5" acrylic on canvas 
©2025 Helen Read 

Find out more information on this painting here 

Having grown up in rural Texas, I remember many dark nights when the 
Milky Way was a beautiful display across the sky. 

It is not so visible in our light filled skies of the 21st Century, but that doesn't mean it is not there! 

This painting captures just a glimpse of something greater and much more mysterious. 
And I'm reminded of the Creator, who joyfully stations each  one in space. 

" He determines the number of the stars; He calls them each by name."  (Ps. 147:4)

This painting is painted around the 1.5" sides -  framing is not recommended. 

 

Last Light - Abstract Landscape painting

 

 

Last Light

 18x24" acrylic on canvas

©Helen C Read

 

I love sunsets!  And they are especially colorful in the Western U.S.
Just a few weeks ago, I watched a. beautiful summer sunset in Sweet, Idaho.
The last light of the sun was brilliant,
giving vivid color to everything from sky to earth!

 This painting uses metallic gold and vivid color in an abstract style to
commemorate the beauty of the moment!
My mind went to the psalmist's words:

The heavens proclaim the glory of God,
The skies display His craftsmanship.
Day after day they continue to speak;
Night after night they make Him known.
They speak without a sound or word... (from Psalm 19)

 You can see more on this painting here! 

 

The Color of Summer

 

 

 

8x8" Oil on gesso panel
© Helen Read

 

 

The colors of summer are joyful! 
I can't help walking along a sidewalk, pathway or a town yard - and color just sings!  
It's so easy to walk past without noticing...

So easy to take for granted what is speaking so vibrantly all around us! 

 

Stop and notice! 
Creation gives us a gift that rises up for a short time

to bring us a moment to remember.... to consider... 

 

"Look at all the flowers of the field.  They do not work or toil, yet 

Solomon in all his splendor was not robed in such beauty as these!   If God has so clothed the

meadows (or walkways), which is here for such a short time ... won't He also 

provide for you?"