Spring cleaning! Paintings at auction! Now through Mar.3rd

Points North,  5x7" Acrylic on Canvas,  ©2011, Helen Read

SOLD

Easter Lilies,  7x5" Oil on canvas, ©2009, Helen Read

SOLD

Flowers in Pink and Blue, 8x8" Oil on canvas ©2010, Helen Read

 auction ended

___________________________________________________

Just a few days left on this small painting - Featured for the month of February! 

Featured for $30.00then it returns to its usual price. 

SOLD

Robin's Nest,  5x5" oil on canvas

©2012, Helen Read

working on something new.....

Just so you know - its not that I am not doing anything in my studio!   Life is quite hectic, that's true... but I am working on a larger painting as well.  This is a flower I recently saw and photographed... much like fireworks going off!  Quite beautiful!!   I'm working with some abstract ideas to create an interesting composition.  Keep watching ... I'll post its finished version soon! 

February's Featured Painting - Robin's Nest!

Robin's Nest,  5x5" Oil on canvas 

© Helen Read 

SOLD

This is the month when winter seems to drone on and on.... and then, a robin shows itself as a messenger of hope that spring is on its way!   The robin's nest when it contains its lovely blue eggs is like a small colorfully wrapped gift - waiting for its unveiling!

Last Chance for this special price!

Winter Bandit, 5x5" acrylic on canvas

©2012, Helen Read

Ready to Frame  

SOLD

A Secret Path

Secret Path, 8x10" acrylic on canvas

© Helen Read 

ready to frame

This one may look somewhat familiar to the post below, Glade, which is done with a different media and technique.  The basic landscape is the same, but I've used some of my abstraction ideas of circles and dots to create a less than abstract landscape!   I love the chance to mix colors by juxtaposing them right on the canvas.   To me, though a tedious application method, really does give a somewhat joyous and carefree outcome! 

Glade

Green Glade, 6x8" Oil pastel on paper

© Helen Read    

There's something very mysterious about the deep shadows of the woods, and the bright light of a clearing.  Here I've tried to capture with color the depth of shadow contrasted with the beauty of sunlight!   Maybe its wishful thinking here in the middle of January!  

January Featured Painting!

January's Featured Painting! 

Winter Bandit,  5x5" acrylic on canvas

© Helen Read 

Ready to frame 

 

This is a little different approach for me.  Its a highly stylized cedar waxwing ... with an abstract background.  The colors are bright, which is just what is needed in the long stretches of winter grayness!  

This little painting has been listed at its "featured" price just for the month of January.  Its a great opportunity to own an original work of art for a great price.  After January, if it hasn't sold, it will go to its regular price.  

Happy New Year! 

I hope you have a wonderful beginning to 2012!  

More of 2011 in Review

Miscellaneous drawings and paintings of 2011

Scroll down for a look at abstracts and landscapes of 2011

Light and Reflections, 8 x 12" Colored pencil on black paper

House Wren, 6x6" Colored pencil on gray paper

Wren in Grass, 6x6" Acrylic on canvas 

Sold

Agave, 6x6" Acrylic on Clayboard 

 SOLD

The Edge of Shadow,  9x12" colored pencil on black paper 

Blossom,  8x8" colored pencil on clayboard 

 

Spiraling Leaf, 6x6" Graphite on Clayboard 

 

Winter Resident, 6x6" Oil on canvas 

Sold 

Ship, 9x11" Pen and Ink on Paper

 

Sold 

Its been a busy year!   But not entirely busy with art.... I've continued to teach high school, full time and take a rather full load of graduate classes.   In between these things and keeping relationships alive with children, family and friends,  I paint!!   And, thankfully, I have sold more this year than in recent years with our slow economy.   Maybe this is a hopeful sign that recovery is on its way!?   I hope so.

As I look back over the year in terms of art, its been a good year - with new and different kinds of work, larger sizes for many of the works, and new ideas!  

Happy New Year!

May we enjoy the blessings of 2012 as we look back with gratitude on 2011.

2011 in Review - Landscapes

Looking back, its been a year of quite a few landscapes!  Most of these have sold, but several remain available...

Coastal Road,  5x7" Acrylic on canvas

SOLD

Dusty Landscape,  5.25 x 7.5" Acrylic on paper 

SOLD

Points North, 5x7" Acrylic on canvas

SOLD

Sardinian Sunshine, 6x6" Oil on canvas 

SOLD

Maroon Bells,  11x16" Oil on canvas
SOLD - Commissioned

Rosie's Pond, 5x7" Watercolor on Paper

SOLD - Commissioned

Merry Christmas!

Wrapped, 9x12" colored pencil on black paper

©2010, Helen Read

Merry Christmas!  It is a wonderful time of year to stop and celebrate with family and friends. 

This year, may I take a moment to wish you a very Merry Christmas. 

I wish you a warm and wonderful celebration, and I wish for you "the best gift of all" 

the Gift of our Savior, Jesus.  A gift equally open to all who will receive it. 

Psalms on Note Cards

A new set of note cards?  I'm not sure yet if I will produce these. 

They use some of my abstract works with words from the Psalms. 

I'm open for comments! 

The Year in Review - abstracts

I've worked on several abstracts this year.   I continue to be intrigued by abstractions and how to make them compelling by simply using the elements and principles of design well.
These were fun to do, and while working on them, I feel like I learned a lot about my materials and how to use them. 

So this post is about the finished abstracts this year.
I am still working on a few that have not yet been finished. 
The top two are rather large - 22x15"  Both are acrylic on paper.
The third one is smaller, in fact, its roughly post card sized; also acrylic on paper

and the last one is a medium sized piece, and acrylic on rice paper that is mounted on foam core.

What intrigues me about these are the repetitive shapes and the somewhat poetic colors.  I hope to continue working out some of these ideas in the new year.

Pond Reflections

Rosie's Pond, 5x7" watercolor on paper
©2011, Helen Read 

 

 

SOLD

I love the tranquility of a pond.  This one seems to reflect just that kind of tranquility.  It brings back so many memories of my childhood.    This is a small commission ...  a Christmas gift, on its way to an unsuspecting recipient! 

Winter Resident

December Featured Painting!
 
Through 12-31-2011

Winter Resident, 6x6" Oil on canvas

©2011, Helen Read
 

SOLD!

Here, where I live - we have cardinals that reside with us all winter.  Their bright colors are so evident on the snowiest and coldest days.  I often wonder how they survive, but they seem to do quite well!  I also see their presence as a beautiful expression of how God provides for our needs in the not-so-plentiful seasons of life! 

  Now's a great time to purchase for Christmas giving or for your own home!  It's an eye catching spot of color to brighten winter!