5 Paintings for auction - proceeds from sales to Relief efforts in Japan

Please click the image for each to see the progress of the auction. 

All auctions are finished on Thursday, March 24th. 

Each auction starts at $25.00 + shipping.
(IL residents add 8.25% sales tax.)

The proceeds of these auctions will be donated to the relief efforts in the
wake of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

Snowscape, 8x8" Oil on canvas ©2008, Helen Read

Hollyhock Stalks, 8x8" Oil on canvas ©2008, Helen Read

Marigolds in Cobalt, 7x5" Oil on canvas ©2010, Helen Read

Old Oak, 6x8" Oil on canvas, ©2009, Helen Read

Woods Edge, 6 x 8" Oil on canvas, ©2009, Helen Read

It has been with great sadness that we have watched from afar the tragedy that has occurred in Japan during the past week.  My heart goes out to the people who are struggling to make sense of the lives that they are now living.  Many have lost everything from homes, livelihoods, communities, to families.  Some is replaceable, but some is not.   Not only do they need the basics of life right now, they need the support of those who are really too far away to take personal action.  In order to try to do that, I am hoping to sell several of the works I've created in the past few years and send the proceeds of those sales to a relief agency that is helping to provide the most essential needs of daily life to those affected, and also provide some hope for their souls. 

I hope you will participate in this effort.  Perhaps one of these small oil paintings is waiting to grace your walls.  And you will also know that your participation is benefiting someone who is living through disaster.

Its easy to bid.  Click on the image of each painting and you'll be taken to the auction site. 

Continued progress on the newest abstract

Just so you know, I am continuing my work on this... its been a few weeks of stops and starts with time to get things done.  But, I am happy with how this is coming along.  There are some subtle value shifts and color changes.  You can see it a little from this photo, but there are areas of metalics and interference paints.  The overall effect is really quite nice in the proper light.  Not quite sure how to photograph that though.  

Stop back by - I hope to have this completely done very soon!   

The progress continues!

If you scroll down slightly, you'll see the beginning of this abstract painting.  Here is what I've continued doing in the past few days.  Its coming along, however with such meticulous work, it takes time to get coverage!  I'm happy with the lyrical colors and the general "feel" of the overall painting. 

I'll keep posting ~ hopefully it won't be too long till its completed!  

Iridescent Flight

Iridescent Flight, 6 x 13" acrylic on canvases 

© Helen Read 

 

This painting was an experiment working with metallics and interference paints to produce iridescence. It really is hard to tell by this image - but in the light, it shimmers!  Its always interesting to see what materials will do!   I also experimented with the idea of 2 differently shaped canvases.  Its a little different, but interesting to my eye. 

 

3 Long Necked Pears ~ repost

Three Longnecked Pears, 8 x 10" Oil on canvas
©2010, Helen Read

I know, its been a little while since I posted last.  I'm actually working on several larger paintings in m studio right now - that, interspersed with some winter colds that have been a drain on my energy ... and continuing to work all day, have contributed to a longer stretch of silence on my blog .... so, I'm posting a favorite from about June of 2010.   I'm thinking about entering this one into a competition for still life paintings.    Meanwhile, I'm painting and will be posting some completely new work very soon!  

Work in progress - abstract

I have begun another abstract - this is in its most preliminary stages - and I still have no idea, really, what it will finally be!  I'll keep posting so that you can follow its progress too.  These have become very intriguing to me - endless possibilities exist!    I really like the way that they speak to me along the way - almost dictating what they will be!  I end up being as surprised as my viewers!  That's kinda fun! 

New abstract

Untitled (yet),  21x14" Acrylic on paper 

©2011, Helen Read 

This painting has been a few weeks in process. As you can see there are many layers and therefore, lots of time, both in the painting and in the analysis of what more needed to be done.  Though I haven't really planned it this way, I believe I've started working through some ideas in an abstract way, and I also believe I have more that is still yet to be!    

The idea behind this, though it is not yet titled, is the creative, playful, joyful presence and activity of the Holy Spirit.  The Spirit who with his poetry and art gave his creativity to the forming of all we see in nature.  The Spirit who inspires art and beauty in our culture.  The Spirit who seeks the hearts of all who would be intrigued, and open, and desiring to know him.  

How can one portray these thoughts?  Certainly abstraction is the only vehicle.  And yet - the Spirit is not abstract, in the sense of the unknowable.  Unseen, yes ... but the works of his creativity are evidenced in every part of our existence!  And he makes his presence known within us. 

January Trees

January Trees,  8x6" Oil Pastel on paper 

©2011, Helen Read 

 

 

I'm sorry to say that January has just flown by!   Its been a very busy month, as it always is ... I've been working on a larger painting - and now, this small one in pastel to be posted before the end of the month is here!  (which is tomorrow!)    While it might seem that I've been idle, that's not exactly true!

My classroom duties have kept me very busy - as well as other home and family things.   

This one is small and rather simple - done in an almost impressionistic style.  I like oil pastels because they are so blend-able, and they mix on the paper almost like paint on a canvas.  The subject matter is about all I can see  -  snow on everything! 

Sunlit Leaf - an old favorite

Sunlit leaf, 8x8" Oil on canvas 

©2010, Helen Read 

Just bringing back an old favorite from about a year ago.  Its been a very busy month thus far, and though I have a few things going in my studio - nothing ready for posting. 

Hopefully, this week!!  

Helen's email

Thinking ahead .... Send a Strawberry Valentine!

Set of 10 Note cards - Strawberries and Valentines 

Send someone special a note of love!

Pen and Ink ~ Grape Leaf

Grape Leaf, approx. 6 x 4" Pen and Ink on illustration board
© Helen Read 

Life has been very busy here in the first couple weeks after Christmas and New Years.  Being a school teacher, its the end of the semester which means finals, grading, organizing, preparing for a new semester, etc.   My drawing class has just completed their last project, which is a pen and ink drawing. This is one of the examples that I had for them.  I enjoy pen and ink... there's a certain trepidation in knowing that mistakes are permanent - but also a certain type of freedom in knowing that if one is made, you'll have to creatively figure out how to incorporate it and make it "work" with the rest of the drawing! 

January Discounts - Snow landscapes!

Snowscape,  8x8" Oil on canvas

©2008, Helen Read 

SOLD

 

Its COLD outside!    In order to create some winter excitement, I'm offering these "snow paintings" just for the month of January with some very BIG DISCOUNTS!  

Celebrate winter with me - take advantage of these great savings and own an original, one-of-a-kind oil painting!   

 Icy Riverbank,  11 x 14" Oil on canvas

©2009, Helen Read 

SOLD

 

The birth of a painting - video of the making of Spirit

Spirit,  22 x 30" Acrylic on paper
©2010, Helen Read

I thought it would be interesting to try something I've never done before! 

I took many photos of the painting, Spirit, which you see above - and have now created a video of its creation.  Its set to music by Albinoni, and is not quite 3 min. long. 

I hope you enjoy seeing it unfold from concept to finished painting!  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1heITwEAvk

2010 In Review!

Here are just a few of the year's studio works ....  some of my personal favorites!   2010, in spite of the economic down turn, has really been a good year!   Not necessarily in the way we think of "good" - but in the bigger picture, it has been.   I've continued to work in my studio.  I've continued to post to my blog ....  all of this while taking 11 hours of graduate work, working full time as a high school teacher, and finding time to be a parent, friend, daughter, etc.   

There have certainly been difficult moments in 2010.  My dad passed away about 8 months ago.  My family is in a state of change with children becoming more independent.  Changes in the world of public school teaching have also altered a lot in the work place.  The economy has impacted every artist I know.  And of course, life can just be demanding! 

However - in spite of that - there has been much good as well!   I've completed 33 works of art and worked on a few more that are still in process.  I've had time to consider my goals and plans and purposes in what I'm doing.  I've spent quality time with family and close friends across the country.  I've seen new places and been inspired by new ideas.  And most importantly, I've been held securely in God's good hands.  That's been a huge comfort in uncertain times!   

So, here's to a good 2010 .... and looking ahead to new and exciting adventures in 2011!   In this new year, may we choose to walk in closeness to the God who loves each of us dearly.