Final Posting in 2008

Happy New Year!

Watercolor Paintings and Drawings done this year.

I'm posting the end of the paintings that I've done this year... my final posting for the December rewind! I haven't posted the paintings that have been sold this year .... but, it has been a productive year, as you can see as you scroll through this month of postings. It is kind of good to see everything in one place!

Please have a safe and wonderful New Year celebration .... and may the new year be one of optimism and opportunity! Blessings!

2008 in review

Fallscape, Oil on canvas

Pretty in Pink, Oil on canvas

Two more - larger paintings from this year.
I believe the measurements are as follows (I need to go back and
check the records):
Fallscape - 10 x 12"
Pretty in Pink, 20 x 28"

2008 in review ~

The Undulation Series
(both are 20x20" - Oil on canvas)

Undulation 1

Undulation 2

This series of 2 leaf images captured my imagination because of the graceful shapes and lines found within the leaves. I also loved the way that the light played on both of them. Both of these were images I took and then worked from the photo ... obviously magnifying it and enlarging it greatly on the canvas. I love the abstract qualities of natural forms, which are quite obvious in these 2 paintings.

Rewinding the year ...

Sunflower Triptych - oil on canvases - total measurment 14 x 48"

This was one of the larger paintings (in 3 parts) that I did this year. It was wonderful to work larger again. My objective was to create some magnified sunflowers - and yet in as setting as if that is how they were growing. I also tried to achieve a somewhat ethereal glow as if the sun was bathing them in light and color.

The Nest Series ...

The year continues in review ~

Empty Nest w/Feather - 6x6" Oil on canvas

Nest Eggs, 10 x 12" Oil on canvas

Empty Nest with Shell Fragments, 6x6" Oil on canvas

This set of 3 is very symbolic to me - it represents my family. My three children - treasures each one - each unique and gifted..... the delights of my life. They have populated my nest for 20 something years - and now are either flown, flying, or perched on the edge of the nest flapping their wings! That leaves the nest quite empty and, yes, a bit lonely sometimes.

At the moment - this Christmas season - my nest is full again! I'm cherishing every minute!
And ... my oldest has brought home his treasure - his new wife! I'm honored to call her my daughter! I'm beginning to realize that although there have been difficult times that left me tending the nest all alone, that I've sadly watched my children fly off, and I've been the singular occupant as well, that the nest is in fact a place of gathering - larger than before.

The year in review - continued:

Please visit my online catalog - just a few more days left!
Click here!


Hollyhock Stocks in Bloom, 8x8" Oil on canvas $120

Marigold magnified, 5x7" Oil on canvas, $100

Several more of for my December rewind! The botanical theme continues as it did through most of the year this year! These two featured two types of floral presentations. Magnification always interests me ... I love the surprises seen within a common image. The grouping of hollyhocks was experimenting with composition and subject for a larger piece that is a possible commission.

For more information on the purchase of these - or any of the other paintings featured here,
please email me - studio_upstairs@hotmail.com

More from this year of painting ~

Top: Coneflower Centered, 8x8" Oil on canvas - $120
Bottom: Coneflower 3, 5x7" Oil on canvas - $100

Please remember! Discount given on the purchase of more than 1 painting
for this month of December! More details here.

More of the year in review! These two were part of the 3 small coneflowers I did this summer. Each was quite different; each featured coneflowers at various stages of their lifespan and with different kinds of light on them.

December Rewind, continued ~

Be sure to visit my Online Catalog!

Coneflower 1, 5x7" Oil on canvas - $100.00

Green grapes, 5x7" Oil on canvas, $100

Two more paintings from the year which is almost over!

Twilight

Twilight, 8x8" Oil on canvas 

 

SOLD

 

I did this small landscape trying to work out some details about trees shown as the sun is rising or setting behind them - the sky beginning to flame with the color of the sun. All details of the landscape are barely visible. The drama is really about the sky itself and the way it plays through the branches of the trees. The concept is simple, but it can become a very trite and flat rendering.... easily. I've had a landscape sitting unfinished - and unsatisfactory in its details for quite some time. Earlier this month I took that old painting - unfinished - and sanded some parts down and am preparing to finish it ~ yet, the look of the trees with light coming through them is something I still need to nail down! Well, here you have one of my studies! Having grown up in the southwest - I've seen this type of scene many times. It truly is a beautiful sight to see the sun's sinking light ignite the landscape in oranges and golds.

December Rewind ....

Set of 8 notecards (4 designs) featuring my Original Fruit Watercolor Paintings

I developed a new set of notecards during 2008. This set features 4 of my original paintings within a border. The border says "A Tree is Known by its Fruit" and the 9 fruits of the spirit are included with one of them being featured in larger type at the bottom.

I've sold quite a few of these in the past few months. Personally, I'm glad that I have a few things to encourage actual, physical correspondence! There's something tactile and wonderful about writing and receiving actual personal mail!

Have a mint?

Peppermint, wrapped - approx 4 x 5" Colored Pencil on Black Drawing Paper

A small change of pace here. In my Drawing 1 classes - the students are currently working on a small candy still life for the end of the semester project. It occurred to me, as I was unwrapping dozens of peppermints for the small set ups I created for them, that I have never attempted to draw something in its cellophane wrapper. Thus, the concept. Of course, I've seen some spectacular paintings of similar objects. Well, anyway, I worked on this - on a smallish scrap of drawing paper - for several days as some of the students watched the progress. Here is the final result.

Colored pencil is a great medium. Its a little like drawing and a little like painting. I use Prismacolors because they are buttery soft and blend almost like paint. Even though my students are in a 1st Semester Drawing class, and it is at the end of the semester when we attempt this project, I do get some wonderful work from them using this brand of pencil and black paper. (Black paper or dark paper gives much richer results than white!)

December Rewinds

The painting year in review!

Three Small Sunflowers 5x5" - $90 ea. , and 5x7" $100
when purchased together - $250.00

Yellow Cat - 8x8" Acrylic on canvas - $120. 00

Please see my website for more paintings from 2008 that are available. Also special discounts are being offered in the month of December!

Also available are notecards, which make great stocking stuffers!

More from my December Rewind ~

Reposting 2008 Paintings Still Available!
Its not too late to give something special to someone special for Christmas!

Prices are marked, however ....
purchase 2 or more paintings for a 10% discount!

Blue Kitten, 5x5" Acrylic on canvas, $90.00

Green on Blue, 5x7" Oil on canvas, $100.00

See more! Visit my Online Gift Catalog, for more ideas,
from stocking stuffers to one-of-a-kind paintings!

December Rewind, continued ~

Reposting 2008 Paintings Still Available!
Its not too late to give something special to someone special for Christmas!

Prices are marked, however ....
purchase 2 or more paintings for a 10% discount!

Red Velvet, 5x5" Oil on canvas $90.00

Berry Bowl, 6x6" Oil on Canvas, $100.00

Please visit my online catalog to see other paintings and notecards that make
great holiday gifts!
Gift Catalog

December Rewind ....

Reposting some paintings not yet sold from 2008! Its not too late to give something special to someone special for Christmas! Prices are marked, however .... purchase 2 or more for a 10% discount!

Snowscape, 8x8" Oil on canvas  

Red Cabbage, 5 x 7" Oil on canvas

 

Three Lemons, 6x6" Oil on canvas

 

To see other ideas for Christmas Gift Giving (including great stocking stuffers) please visit my online catalog: http://HelenCRead.com

Join me.....

This afternoon/evening for Hollyhock Floral and Gift Shop's Grand Opening Wine Tasting and Appetizers 4:30 - 7:00 pm 203 S. Hale St., Wheaton, IL

  

Hibiscus, 14" Painted wooden platter 

 

I plan to be there, my work will be displayed, and who knows what the owners Angela and Andrea have planned!? It is a great little place, full of beautiful holiday spirit! Pictured above are a few things I've created that are on display there.