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Well - Summer is moving very quickly this year! Don't I say that every summer!? I think I do, but every year it seems to speed by even faster. You've probably been busy too!
In the months since my last newsletter (I know... its been a while since then!), I've been doing a huge variety of things that have been fun and interesting and necessary! First, in the past 12 months, I've completed 11 graduate hours of credit for my teaching job. These hours were somewhat spread out, but it was a steady path of paper writing, reading, and other related activities. The past year of work was demanding and challenging, as is true of every teaching year. I've also done some travel related to family needs and milestones and passages, as well as some for fun. And, I've managed to continue working (albeit at a slower pace) on my art! Now that summer is here, and I've finished my last course and done a little travel, I'm preparing for the arrival of family and another trip before school begins!
After such a fast paced year and before then next one starts, I'm back in touch with a longer newsletter to bring you up to date with what's going on here! I hope you enjoy the content of this newsletter! As always, please forward it on to friends of yours who enjoy creativity, painting, and fine art!
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| What's New?
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|  New Paintings - Variety!! I've had lots of fun this year exploring new ways of using art as a visual language. Some of the works I've been working on are quite abstract. (See the abstract works above at the top of this email!)
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| The Art of "Still Life"
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| Longnecked Pears, 8 x 10" oil on canvas, ©2010,HelenRead
Anything but Nature Morte! (translated, Dead Nature)
Still life painting has been an art form since the earliest artistic depictions. These paintings typically consist of inanimate objects arranged together in a pleasing composition. This type of painting can be seen in ancient Egyptian art, early Roman and Greek art, and of course in the works of the Renaissance. It has been used by artists in more recent times such as VanGogh, Cezanne, and Picasso. For a time, still life seemed old fashioned and sometimes too busy and lacking much relevance, but once again it is becoming of interest to artists and collectors. Still life today has a more contemporary feel, however. Sometimes paintings are rather starkly arranged. They may contain very few objects and may be very simply placed. Sometimes they are of flowers or fruit, or can just as well include utilitarian objects. And as in bygone times, many artists are interested in showing things in an almost hyper-realistic way. Although the objects are in fact inanimate, their arrangement is lively and interesting!
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| Why Join My Email List?
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| Studio Friends - great opportunities and Freebies from time to time!
You already know that as one of my studio friends, you get this email newsletter as well as other short emails from time to time to let you know about my latest work, about free offers, and about other bits of news from the world of art!
 This was the free print I offered last month to the first 12 people who responded to my email offer. I was pleased to send these little 5x7" prints (matted and ready to frame) out to my friends from Hawaii to Nova Scotia with many stops in between. That just about spans the North American continent! For those of you who now have one, I hope they are bringing you enjoyment!
Please pass on my information to your friends. They won't be inundated (as you know) by my emails - but they will be given an opportunity to interact and take advantage of some of the fun things I offer!
New Summer Contest! Win a FREE miniature painting! Drawing will be held on August 15, 2010.
That's right! I'm going to be giving away a miniature painting. Here are the rules to be entered into the drawing!
1. Be on my mailing list! (this also includes people who put themselves on my mailing list in order to enter the contest! The sign up for my mailing list is on the left side of this newsletter.)
2. Send me the name and email address of at least 1 person not currently on my email list. Please check with this person and obtain their permission beforehand! (I really don't want to violate their email privacy!)
3. Your name will be entered once for every new contact you send.
4. Each new contact will also be entered into the contest.
5. On August 15th, I will draw a name/email address out of a hat and inform the winner, who will then receive a small original painting from me!
That's it! In the past, I've given away other small paintings in a drawing. Its easy and fun, and there is a good chance that you could be a winner!!
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| Just for fun! Summer Gourmet
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| | My Favorite Summer Salad
Its been hot here this summer! Maybe it is where you are too...
Because of that, sometimes a salad is all that sounds good. I have a simple and refreshing one that I've eaten a lot this summer.
Here is my simple recipe! Hope you enjoy.
Mesculan Mix (or lettuce will work)
Fresh black berries, washed and drained
A whole orange cut into bite sized pieces
Sliced almonds
Dressing (can be increased)
2 T. olive oil
2-3 tsp. balsamic vinegar
several drops of liquid stevia for sweetening (sugar can be substituted)
salt and pepper to taste. whisk until completely mixed.
Arrange lettuce, with berries and orange on top. Top with sliced almonds and drizzle well mixed dressing over all. Perfect for a hot summer night!
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