Join me on Facebook!

Thursday, December 30, 2021

Window Sill Sunshine

 

Window Sill Sunshine,  12x9" oil on canvas
©Helen Read 

 


The last painting of 2021.  Sunflowers are always one of my favorites. 
They are bold, bright, and signify to me - Sunshine - Light - Hope!  

This one is still drying and will soon be posted on my website!
https://HelenCRead.com

Thursday, December 23, 2021

Abundance (lilacs)




 Abundance  8x8" oil on gessoed panel
©Helen Read

Available framed in a contemporary black frame (3/4" deep and 1" across the face)
Ready to hang!
or
sold unframed
Domestic shipping is included  ~ IL residents please add 8% sales tax.
 

Click here for more information and a purchase link for this painting

Lilacs - for so many reasons!   They have such a beautiful array of color - from pale lavender to deep, rich magenta... and everything in between.  They are graceful and have such a delightful scent.
They are a great subject to paint, and the painting brings bold splash of color to any location. 

Shown above unframed, framed, and what it might look like on a wall in a room.

Sunday, December 19, 2021

The Incredible Pencil Drawing Course

 

There's never been a better time than NOW!  Learn to draw with skill and confidence - or - build your drawing skills to a new level!   The Incredible Pencil Drawing Course is an online experience that allows you to develop skill and confidence with proven techniques and exercises!  I've taught hundreds of students to draw for many years... and I know that everyone who wants to learn can learn!  Whether you are new to drawing or have drawing experience, this course will give you new skills and confidence!

Find out all all the details right here   

There's never been a better time than NOW to get started!  You'll be amazed at what you can do!   

Sunday, December 12, 2021

The Flower Stall


 The Flower Stall, 7.5 x 5.5" watercolor on paper
©Helen Read 

Matted and ready for an 8x10" frame!  

Click here for pricing details and a purchase link! 

What's so charming than walking through a street market and finding a flower stall.
The colors sing! The textures of the foliage!
The scents! 

I've captured just a segment of a flower stall in this watercolor. 

Matted and ready for a 8x10" frame.
Domestic shipping is included.
(IL residents please add 8% sales tax)

 

A framed option is available as well.  A black wooden contemporary frame. 
1" deep and 3/4" across the face.

Friday, December 10, 2021

Paint for FUN!

 NEW!!  Watercolor Mini-Courses! 

 Two Mini-Courses to Choose From (or register for both!)
Lilacs in a Watering Can Still Life Painting
Bluebells in the Woods Landscape Painting

I'm so excited to introduce my 2 new watercolor mini-courses... With each of them, you'll paint along with me step-by-step to create your own lovely watercolor painting.  Whether you are just beginning to paint or have some experience, you'll find these courses are fun and easy to follow.  In each one, you'll get: 

  • Complete video instruction for watercolor techniques, and step-by-step painting
    (paint along with me in the videos)
  • A traceable download so you do not have to free-hand draw the image
  • Suggested supply list with links (although you may have supplies you can use) 
  • Additional downloads for color mixing and finishing tips 
  • Complete access to the mini-course for a year 
  • Helpful tips into your inbox

    This makes a great way to get started into the new year with creative energy - or - it makes a great gift to give (or receive!)
     
    and let's get started!  You'll be delighted with your own beautiful painting! 

Sunday, November 28, 2021

Winter Cardinal Watercolor

 

Winter Cardinal
5x7" watercolor on paper, matted for an 8x10" frame
©Helen Read 

SOLD
matted in white as shown
Includes domestic shipping,  IL residents please add 8% sales tax.

Here in Illinois, Cardinals remain  with us through the winter months; a beautiful spot of bright color in an otherwise monochromatic world.  They particularly stand out when in an evergreen tree. 
They have a lovely, slender form and seem quite regal to me.

Saturday, November 20, 2021

Eastern Light Landscape Painting



Eastern Light, 14x11 oil on canvas,
©Helen Read

This view came to my by surprise!  Would you ever imagine that it is located in town! on a rather busy intersection?  In fact, its not far from my house and I often walk by this corner.  The woods are thick, but not too deep right there and I caught this just as the eastern morning light was flooding in... it was rather breath taking! 

The glory of the sunshine lit the entire corner of this woods up and, to me, it was worthy of remembering!   

(framed and ready to hang)

 Click here to find out about pricing and framing options
(Domestic Shipping is included.  IL residents please add 8% sales tax 

Friday, November 19, 2021

Sunflowers in a Blue Vase

 


Sunflowers in a Blue Vase
7x5" oil on panel


Once again, I've used sunflowers as a model several times just lately.  They "pose" very well! I never get tired of their bright color.  In this painting, I've coupled their sunny faces with a more complementary background.  And of course, the blue vase gives it a different pop of color!  

This is ready to send to brighten its new home, either framed or unframed. 

Click here for pricing information and a purchase link.

Domestic shipping is included.  IL residents please add 8% sales tax. 

Fall 2021 ~ Busy, but lot's happening!

 

Whewww... these last few months have been super busy!  I'd been preparing for a workshop in Chicago, which went well. I've traveled out of town, done a commission and several more paintings.  But I haven't been posting here.  :(    But, I am now!   

This one is just shipped out - Sunflower Trio - oil on panel.  It's framed version (which always finishes a painting off beautifully) is shown below... same painting, but the lighting is a bit different in the framing.

 
SOLD

Beautiful Sunflowers!

 I love them!

Sunflowers are (to me) such a lovely summer reminder.  Maybe it is because they grow wild in the southwest where I grew up.  Or maybe it's just their beautiful, sunny color that brings me that sense of warmth and brightness.  I love how they lift their faces to the sun and follow it across the sky.   They also make a lovely "model" for still life painting!  
 
This painting is ready to send to its new home!  It can be sent framed and ready to hang - all the guess work and waiting on framing is taken care of.  The frame is solid wood in a black finish, contemporary in its squared styling.    It can also be sent unframed and ready to drop into a 5x7" frame.

Sunflowers in a Watering Can
5x7" oil on panel
 


(also shown in it's contemporary black wooden frame)

SOLD

Wednesday, September 29, 2021

Upcoming Watercolor Workshop

 


I've been preparing for an upcoming watercolor workshop I'll be teaching in Chicago. 

These are the 2 painting that participants will receive materials and instruction to complete. 
Preparing has been intensive, but I think it will be a fun day.  

Lilacs in a Watering Can - 5x7" watercolor on paper
and
Bluebells in the Woods -  5x7" watercolor on paper


Sunday, September 5, 2021

Sundancers



Sundancers, 7.5x5.5" watercolor on paper
matted in white - ready to fit an 8x10"  frame

(Framed option shown)
Take the decisions and waiting time out of framing,
Frame with a simple black contemporary style wooden frame.



Sunflowers!  They do seem to dance and sway in the summer sunlight!  They are the icon of summertime!  I love the deep golden color and the way they follow the light!  This watercolor painting is matted in white, and it has an option for framing.  

Please visit my website for pricing, purchase link, and frame options.

 (Domestic shipping is included, IL residents please add 8% sales tax.)

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

The Tunkhannock Viaduct

 


Tunkhannock Viaduct, 9x12" Oil on canvas
© Helen Read

framed in cherry frame - ready to hang
(Domestic shipping included, IL residents please add 8% sales tax)

In this painting, I hoped to capture the grandeur of a landscape with man-made architecture in it. The lighting and the magnificence of the structure were of equal interest to my eye.  I happened, very unexpectedly, upon this scene traveling through northeastern PA - and was completely captured by the beauty of craftsmanship and God's beautiful creation!  
 

Green Glade - oil pastel

 


Green Glade, 6x8" Oil pastel on paper
© Helen Read    
Matted in white for a 9x12" frame

A framed option  is available as well.
(domestic shipping included,  IL residents please add 8% sales tax)


Oil pastel is a beautiful medium!  And though I don't work in it frequently, this painting has such a wonderful mysterious sense of the woodland.  It is sold matted, either framed or unframed.  It's one of my favorites! 

Tuesday, August 17, 2021

Elm Grove

Elm Grove,  14x18" oil on canvas
 ©Helen Read

Domestic shipping included,  IL residents please add 8% sales tax
ready to frame


The beauty of spring in the midwest is especially stunning after a long cold winter of gray upon gray.  Within a few weeks, everything bursts into color and song!  This little glimpse is just around the corner in my neighborhood.  The ordinary becomes extraordinary!  Colorful light gives a cast of beauty to all it touches! 

  Visit my website for more colorful vistas! 
I'd love to have you join my friends list!   Every month you get a friendly note in your inbox.  In that note you'll see new work ~ the latest off my easel.... but there's also FUN discounts, and give aways, and free downloads!  .... Just because you are a friend! 

Text the word HELEN to 22828 and you are in!  I look forward to communicating with my friends and hearing from you, too .... Join us! It's easy!  :)  


Friday, August 13, 2021

Today's Featured Painting! Summer Scents

 


Summer Scents (peonies),  7x5" oil on gesso board
©Helen Read

Framed option available - contemporary black wooden frame
approx 1" deep and 3/4" across the face
(ready to hang!)
 
Domestic shipping included.   IL residents please add 8% sales tax.  
 
SOLD
What speaks the lazy days of summer as much as a casual bouquet of peonies in an old fashioned mason jar?
These pink and white beauties are have such sweet aroma and that lovely pop of color, set against the beautiful blue of a country window and shutter.  I love the sense of calm serenity they give.

Perhaps they speak that kind of serenity to your heart.

Friday, August 6, 2021

Swedish Birches


 Swedish Birches,  matted in white to fit a 11x14" frame
oil pastel painting on illustration board
©Helen Read 

Unframed option - comes matted and ready to frame

Framed option - in 11x14" wooden frame (cherry finish) w/plexiglass

Domestic shipping is included, IL residents please add 8% sales tax.

Please visit this link for all the details, pricing, and framing option. 

Oil pastel is a beautiful medium for painting!  It's blendable, yet it shows expressive stroke marks.
This pastoral scene captures a Swedish countryside with a stand of young birches and wispy grasses in the foreground. Softly muted colors and a sense of minimalism that so is often expressed in Scandinavian design is exactly what this painting speaks to the viewer!  

It is shipped either ready to frame in a standard 11x14" frame, or framed in a simply beautiful wooden frame (1" deep x 3/4" across the face). 

Monday, August 2, 2021

A Virtual Studio Visit! Summer Cathedral




Summer Cathedral
20x16" oil on canvas
(ready to frame - or - with a frame option) 

©Helen Read
Please visit here for more details about this painting!


 

Tuesday, July 20, 2021

Vibrant Landscape - Experimenting with color combinations

 

Color....  I seem to always be chasing more interesting color combinations and how they relate to one another.  I'm working with oil pastels to try some new combinations... to see the atmosphere they create.  In this experiment - I was working with warm and cool combinations - juxtaposed next to one another...  I like the sense mystery that has resulted.  

If you look closely, there are subtle juxtapositions - warm colors that have a leaning toward cool.  Cool colors that learn toward warm.  And also, value shifts that are intriguing.  

Experimenting and working with known variables in a new way is an important part of discovery. 

What's next for this??  Possibly a full sized oil painting will come from
these color combinations.

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

Bluebell in Bloom

Bluebells in Bloom, 5x7" watercolor on paper
matted in white for 8x10" frame
©Helen Read

Magical, don't you think?  Sunlight filters through leaves of golden green, floating on a sea of blue. 
To me, there is magic in the woods!  And bluebells add their glory! 
What a gift given to the one who will stop and see! 

Ready to frame
(domestic shipping included - IL residents please add 8% sales tax) 

Monday, July 5, 2021

Peonies and Lavender

 

Peonies and Lavender,  5x7" watercolor on paper
matted in white and ready to put into a 8x10" frame
©2021 Helen Read

(Domestic Shipping is included,
IL residents please add 8% sales tax)

Please visit my website for details, pricing, and framing option for this painting. 

Peonies and Lavender has a loose and more watery approach. They bring an interesting color into the space where the bright flowers are not.  These bright pink peonies flow with liquid color! A touch of lavender gives additional visual interest.
 

Floral in Blue Jar

 

Floral in Blue Jar, 
7x5" watercolor on paper
matted in white and ready for a 8x10" frame
©2021 Helen Read

(domestic shipping included,
IL residents please add 8% sales tax)

Floral in a Blue Jar was done with a combination of watercolor and ink. The ink and soft colors create the sense of a charming bygone era. The summery colors are offset by the transparent blue jar, with some shadow notes of lavender.  This lovely still life is ready to slip into a frame and hang! 

Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Woodsy Pathway

 Looking ahead to a watercolor workshop I'll be doing this fall, I'm experimenting with watercolor landscape ideas.  Today's effort ~ this woodsy scene with spring greens and a lavender bloom.  I'm not sure, yet, if this is the one we'll use... but I like the sense of it and actually think it would be fun to walk that path!   


Thursday, June 10, 2021

Summer Scents!

 

Summer Scents
© Helen Read
7x5" Oil on gesso panel

Available framed in a black wooden frame - 1.5" deep and .75" across the face
or unframed
(pricing includes domestic shipping.  IL residents please add 8% sales tax.)

Sold


Tuesday, June 8, 2021

Yes, Please! More Peonies!


 Peony Blossom ~ Perfect Beauty
© Helen Read
7x5" Oil on gesso panel

Available framed in black wood - 1..5" deep, .75" across the face)

Or, sold unframed
(domestic shipping included in pricing, IL residents - please add 8% sales tax) 
Please click here for more information and a purchase link.  
Why buy art framed?  All the guess work is taken out - when you receive your painting, it is ready to hang!  This saves time and allows you to put your beautiful painting on the wall
immediately!  The frame that is included is a solid, well made wooden frame which accents and protects the painting perfectly! 

Monday, May 31, 2021

It's Peony Season again!


 Peonies are one of my favorites!   This little watercolor is my free download print
for the month of June!  

It's available to my friends who have subscribed to my email list... every month I have a little free gift like this - maybe you'd like to join us!?  No pressure... no purchases are necessary...
We just stay in touch and I share what's happening in my studio!  

This link will get you all set up to join us! 

Yay! Let me join!

Saturday, May 8, 2021

Just for May - a GREAT DISCOUNT!


 Sunspots, 9x12" oil on linen panel
©Helen Read 

Not far from where I live there is an old farm.  It's a step into history.  On the approach to the farm, there's a bridge over a creek and this painting is a view that I saw as the sun dipped farther toward the horizon.   Just a few bright spots of color landed in the deepening shadows.  
Moments of complete tranquility... the lazy flow of water, light and shadow, and blues against greens.
A sense of another place and time!

Framing is a matte black contemporary wooden frame. It is 1.5" deep and approx 3/4" wide on the face. This option simplifies the decision, purchase, and waiting period for framing to occur. When you receive your painting, it is ready to hang!
(Photo available on request.   Please email me)

The Joys of Springtime!


 My garden in May - even before the dandelions demand attention, these early arrivals bring joy in their colors and delicate smells.  This little watercolor represents those first delights of spring time after a long, gray winter.  Lily of the Valley and Brunnera; delicate and lovely.   A proclamation that life is returning!  

This little watercolor was a free download to my friends in my May newsletter.  Each month, I make a new work of art available to those who have subscribed!  It's easy to join :). Click here ~ be added and at the beginning of each new month, you'll get a colorful, newsy note and downloadable art... and other fun surprises! 

Wednesday, April 14, 2021

Spring Cleaning Sale! 25% off these until 4/30/21


 Studios have to be cleaned too! 

I need to make room for new works - so these featured paintings need to find their new home!  See below for a larger photo and purchase links!
Don't delay... 4/30 is just around the corner - and as you can see, the cottage painting has already found it's new home!
Domestic shipping is included in this great price.
And there's a framed option and unframed option for each of them. 

The frames are wooden - 1.5" deep and 3/4" on the face.
They are either (as noted) black or cherry wood. 

 

Post sale -  Visit my website!  There's more to be seen!  

Daylilies, 10x8" Oil on panel 
 

 
 
Summer Shadows, 12x9" oil on canvas
 
 


Scentsational -
8x8" oil on panel

 
Elm Grove, 14 x 18" oil on canvas
 
 

Autumn in Color, 10x8" oil on panel 

Post sale -  Visit my website!  There's more to be seen! 
 
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...