Freebie Coming in June!

Did you know?   I create a  free watercolor download every month as a gift to those who receive my newsletter!  

This next month, this is the little painting that you'll be able to download, print, and frame.    Just because giving gifts to my friends is, well... fun!!  

If you haven't signed up for my monthly newsletter - you can do it right now! 

You'll get a colorful, friendly visit in your inbox each month

with news, and other fun things!  Some times I have a drawing for a free mini oil painting, discounts, downloads and invitations. 

The next newsletter comes out in early June ~

Sign up right here and watch your inbox!

Please sign me up!

For Email Marketing you can trust.

TWO. Months. In..... to this pandemic shut down!

We've been shut in...and the pandemic continues. 

For some of us, it's been very difficult.  For others we've done OK. 

WHAT IF, THOUGH....

you could use this time to learn a new skill? 

What if, you could try something new without any negative self-talk -  just try something new for fun... and watch yourself get better?  

What if - you could do something you've always wanted to do - but didn't have the time or a friendly plan of action to help you!? 

If you've always wanted to learn to draw - you CAN!!   

 I'll send you Five FREE lessons - right into your inbox; 1 a day for 5 days!  

 You'll find the instruction fun, easy to follow, encouraging, and you won't have to have any special materials!  

I've taught hundreds (probably thousands) of students to draw, and I'd love to 

help you with your drawing skills too!   

Use this link and you'll get your first lesson right away!!

There's no better time than NOW and you have Nothing to lose!!

 

Marsh Grasses

Marsh Grasses, 16x20" oil on canvas
© Helen Read

Not far from where I live is a large green area; much of it is marshland. Just along the edges of the marsh grasses are lovely stands of trees, tall rustling grasses, and a symphony of birdsong. Within all of it is the beauty of bright sunshine and the depth of cool shadows. There's a lovely beauty to it's wildness.

This just finished painting, Marsh Grasses, captures just a moment in time when the glow of sunlight casts its magic! It measures 16x20" is painted in an impressionistic style. It is painted with oil paints and painted around the sides.

 

Please click here for more information on pricing and a purchase link.

Harbinger of Spring

Spring Hyacinth, 6x6" oil on gesso board

Spring takes a long while to finally arrive in the midwest... however, there are a few early arrivals and beautiful hyacinths are one of them. 
Hope that blooms in blues and purples!

Enjoy spring year round!  Hyacinth beauty in lovely cool shades will brighten up a shelf or small space!  Ready to find it's new home!  

Click here for more information on pricing and a purchase link

See more at my website! 

Beginning a New Painting

Toned canvas

Adding some structure - in a purple wash

Some background & middle ground added in

Adding more into the middle ground and foreground

Adjusting and adding cool colors into a basically warm color scheme 

This painting is taking shape.  What isn't so visible in these photos is the toned canvas still having its presence seen in a number of places. 
Especially with the warmer tones showing through, it gives an interesting contrast in a variety of places.  

Lots of painting has to do with "listening" as I work and making adjustments and choices that I didn't see coming.  That's what makes it exciting and mysterious!  

 

A New Website and a Free Painting Lesson!!

In this time of national pause, let's let

PEACE 

overcome 

FEAR

Let's take time to renew our minds and hearts. 

For me, time to be in prayer - time to let the words of Holy Scripture 

soak into my heart is so vital. 

And, I also think the act of creating is a way we can 

fight back against those doubts and fears that can creep in.  

The painting you see above is a free step by step lesson I'm offering through my new

website.  You supply the materials - and I'll supply everything else you need! 

 
So, I invite you to click on the link, follow the menu at the top to gain access to the free lesson, put on some restful music, give your heart a rest from the headlines of the day ~ and create! 

As you create remember this, which gives me hope
and reminds me that we are never alone! 

"Do not fear anything, for I am with you;
Do not be afraid, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, be assured - I will help you; 

I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand." 

Isaiah 41:10

 

my new website:   https://HelenCReadArt.com

 

Teaching Drawing from Home - social distancing

Distance,  12x9" graphite on paper 

In this era of social distancing, I'm learning a whole new way of conducting a high school drawing class!  

ON LINE

It's not ideal, because my students did not have enough notice of our school closing in the advancing pandemic of COVID-19 

to gather all their supplies to take home.  

So, we are making do with whatever we have on hand. 

Over the next few days in the coming week, my students will be watching a graphite drawing in it various steps to take shape.  They (hopefully) will be picking a photo and creating their own value drawing  too. 

Each day I comment on what I've done and the steps they will need to do too. 

It's a grand experiment to see how it goes.  

:)

We keep trying and hopefully there will be progress!  

 

PEACE in crazy times!

We are currently living in such unprecedented, unsettling times....
 

I invite you to 4 1/2 minutes of calming art in the video below to
give you a little peace...

And - fix your mind and heart on goodness rather than getting caught up in the panic of COVID-19.
Let's remember that we are loved, we are cared for and supported,  that God is good and is for us with good intentions.  We can come together (in a social distancing kind of way) and be caring, supportive, and helpful.
I also think making art is a great therapy for our hearts and minds!!  

Watch the video here

If you would like weekly encouragements in your creative work, I'd love to include you in my list of artist friends! 
You'll get weekly tips, techniques, & inspiration!  I'll also send you a free interactive worksheet with 5 small steps you can take today to live a more artistic life! 

Click here to be included! 

 

As artists... we need to be intentional

I know how much I need to be intentional.... 

day by day. 

week by week. 

In the busy world of our lives it's hard to stay connected with our own creative spirits, to be committed to follow the path we were designed to live. 

So many things arise...

get in the way... 

Just this week, things completely beyond my normal routine

Great things... 

have demanded my time and attention. 

Things I wouldn't trade away - but, now I need to get back into the pace of my artistic calling. I need to get back to the things I've been created to do.

Maybe you have wrestled with the same things. 

Here's a link to an interactive work sheet with 5 small steps you can start today. 

You'll also get a little shot of encouragement from me every week in your inbox! 

Click here!  Download the worksheet. We are on this journey together!!   

 

Fab Feb Flowers!!!

February and Flowers go together like ice cream and cones!
This sale is over, but please visit my website to see beautiful floral still lifes!

And MORE February Florals!

February and Flowers go together like ice cream and cones!    

This sale is over, but please visit my website to see beautiful floral still lifes!  

More February Flowers!

February and Flowers go together like ice cream and cones!
Please visit my website to see beautiful floral still lifes.

February and Flowers!

 

February and Flowers go together like ice cream and cones! 

Please visit my website for beautiful floral still lifes! 

 

The artist's process... watch it unfold

Sunshine and Shadow,
8x6" oil on gesso board

It's always fun to watch how a painting unfolds and becomes its finished self!  

 This painting, Sunshine and Shadow, was completed some months ago, 

and is now a free lesson just for you!
I explain just how it was done and encourage you to paint it too!
Included is a video demonstration and step by step downloadable notes with color photos. 

Click here to get the details,
and get started on a beautiful floral still life of your own!

You'll also be added to my group of fun artistic friends where you'll get an inspirational and encouraging note in your inbox week by week. 

And for joining me, I'll send you the interactive worksheet, 

5 Small Steps You Can Start Today

for a more artistic life.  

Living an artful life can be challenging.  But we don't have to go it alone!