Bleeding Hearts

Bleeding Hearts, 7 x 5" Oil on canvas

©2008 Helen Read 

Private collection

In honor of the Bleeding hearts that are now blooming in my yard (finally spring seems to have arrived), I'm posting this older painting.  These are such interesting little flowers... and so beautiful as they dance on their delicate stems.  

 

email Helen 

New Abstract

Untitled Abstract, 22 x 15" Acrylic on paper

©2011, Helen Read 

This one has taken a long while to finish.  It is composed of many small circles and dots, shifting colors and nuances of colors very subtly.  

The idea behind it is the scripture that states "In the beginning the Word already existed.  He was with God and he was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  He created everything there is.  Nothing exists that he didn't make.  Life itself was in him, and this life gives light to everyone." (John 1:1-4) and "...through the Son he made the universe and everything in it.  The Son reflects God's own glory, and everything about him represents God exactly.  He sustains the universe by the mighty power of his command."  (Hebrews 1:2-3) 

I really like the idea that by his power he holds everything together and sustains all of the systems and processes of our universe.  

Good Friday ~ the depths of its meaning

Darkness Descends, approx 4x12" graphite on mylar

©2009, Helen Read

This song, an old hymn, now sung so movingly by Casting Crowns, has been much on my mind these last weeks.  They speak the whole story of Christmas and Easter.  They speak a story of Love that held nothing back and gave its all... for me!  For you.   May this Easter season be a deep and eternal blessing to you!  

One day when Heaven was filled with His praises
One day when sin was as black as could be
Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin
Dwelt among men, my example is He
Word became flesh and the light shined among us
His glory revealed

Living, He loved me
Dying, He saved me
Buried, He carried my sins far away
Rising, He justified freely forever
One day He’s coming
Oh glorious day, oh glorious day

One day they led Him up Calvary’s mountain
One day they nailed Him to die on a tree
Suffering anguish, despised and rejected
Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He
Hands that healed nations, stretched out on a tree
And took the nails for me

One day the grave could conceal Him no longer
One day the stone rolled away from the door
Then He arose, over death He had conquered
Now He’s ascended, my Lord evermore
Death could not hold Him, the grave could not keep Him
From rising again

One day the trumpet will sound for His coming
One day the skies with His glories will shine
Wonderful day, my Beloved One, bringing
My Savior, Jesus, is mine

Japanese Iris

Japanese Iris,  Ink on paper 

©Helen Read 

In honor of spring, which seems to be taking 2 steps forward and 1 step backward, I'm posting this flower drawing.  Its actually pen and ink, with colored inks.   This is available as one of 4 flower designs in a set of notecards. 

 

What a great mother's day gift! 

Sunflowers

Sunflowers,  approx 4 x 5" watercolor 

©2009, Helen Read 

This month is going by way too quickly!  There has been a lot going on, including travel to the west coast to see some of my children - and then more travel to another part of the midwest to see another of my kids!  Its been great, but I've been out of the studio and out of the house quite a bit!  

This is an older water color. It now resides in Texas.   I love the vibrant colors ... and it evokes the feel of summer, which I'm more than ready for!  

Sunrise

Sunrise,  16 x 20 oil on canvas covered panel
©2009, Helen Read 

I'm posting a repost here.  I've been away in both California and Arizona last week, visiting my 2 sons (and 1 daughter in law) that live very distantly from me now!   What a wonderful week ... and I did return with many ideas and reference pictures.  But, I haven't been in my studio for this past week.  

Great week, but its time to get back to work now!  

Thank you ~ for the successful auction!

Great news! 

Thank you to those who participated in one way or another in the auction, 5 paintings - 5 days. 

4 of the 5 have new homes, 

They'll be living in

Washington,

Virginia

New York,

and in Austria! 

But most importantly, it is wonderful to be able to send 

something tangible to help with the relief work in Japan.

The proceeds of these sales will be given for that purpose.

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.