Continued work and progress

As yet untitled - 22 x 30" Acrylic on paper 

My work on this abstract continues!   As you can see it is made of multiple circles and dots.  It has been time consuming - but the effect is beginning to emerge. 

I'll continue to post my progress!  

Stay tuned!! 

Valentine's Day is approaching!

 

Mid-Winter Warmup ~ Auction!

7 Day Auction! Ends 1/28/13
Have either of these (or both!) sent to you!  The starting bids are very low! 

 

Click the link below each image to see the details on each.  

White Peony, 8x8" Oil on canvas

©Helen Read
(in the style of Georgia O'Keeffe)

Ready to Frame

 SOLD

Fence Line, 5x7" Oil on canvas 

©Helen Read

Ready to Frame 

Continuing Work...

As you can see - my work is continuing. I'm starting to add more color - and yet, for this painting, not a lot of color will be added.

Continuing the abstract

I had started this larger piece before the Christmas/New Year - then finals week at school - break. I'm now working on it again. It takes time, being made of many dots - it's larger (22x30"). Color is minimal at the moment. I'm just concentrating on value. It will be part of a series - building on an idea . I'll keep posting my progress!

Irish Coast

Irish Coast,  7x9" watercolor/ink on paper
© Helen Read 

A first painting for 2013!
Here, I wanted to capture a sense of place - somewhat sparse in environment, rugged, coastal mist just in the distance.  Using ink on a textured surface (140# watercolor paper) and muted tones of color help create that overall feel.

 

Looking back and looking ahead

I think its always good to look back just a little bit at the end of an endeavor, or in this case, a year. 

Its been quite a year here.   I've had many things to demand my attention:  work as a public school teacher, family -  with a son getting married and now, a daughter engaged and planning a wedding,  my own continuing education (15 graduate hours in the past year), and then, just the regular demands of life.  But, through it all, I've managed to continue painting and blogging.  The images above show some of my work that is now a part of other households.   

Selling is always an encouragement - and it gives some sense of hope about our difficult economy. 

So, the new year begins!   I will be continuing my painting and posting. 
I'm always looking to increase my email list - its FREE and I send only 1 or 2 emails a month, so you will not be inundated.  I never share your address, either!   If you already are on my list, please inform your friends, its always great to get to know those who love art!   

Please keep in touch this year!
And we shall see what this new year brings.  

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Happy New Year ~ with a special New Year's offer!

A new year has begun! Happy 2013!

May it be a wonderful year!
See special offer below

 A brief look back.... A year ago ~ January 2012 ~ this was new from my easel. 

Glade, 6x8" Oil Pastel on Paper
©2012, Helen Read

Secret Path, 8x10" Acrylic on canvas
©2012, Helen Read
Ready to frame

These 2 are still available, though many others painted in January and through the year of 2012 have been sent to their new homes.   

Final Painting of 2012

Cooperstown Lake, 5x7" Acrylic on paper

©2012 Helen Read 

private collection

This small painting is done with a pointillism approach.  A variety of broken colors place in juxtaposition, so that the eye mixes the colors.  This approach takes some time, but in the end has a very nice effect.  

____________ 

It seems as if 2012 came and is leaving rather quickly.  Its been a busy year artistically, and this is the final painting of the year.   Interspersed with all my artistic activity, I've also taught full time at the local high school, taken 15 hrs. of graduate credit, and had a variety of family milestones - both the engagement and marriage of my middle son and now, the engagement of my youngest - my daughter. Life seems to be taking on many changes!  

May I wish you a wonderful 2013!  

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas! 

May the true story of Christmas fill your heart with joy this season! 

Bird and Berries oil painting

Bird and Berries, 7x5" oil on canvas

© Helen Read

SOLD

 

 

As Christmas approaches ...

Pink Poinsettias

©2009, Watercolor on paper
(private collection) 

My time has been so limited these last weeks! 

Its not that I haven't been working - but my time has been spread very thinly between teaching, preparing for the season, and family happenings.  

Also, the works I've been doing just lately are larger.  But I will have something new to post soon. 

In the meantime, 

May I wish you a blessed season of peace and joy.

A few more steps

I am continuing to make progress - baby steps on this busy week!

A few more steps...

I've made a little more progress - though it is still FAR from complete. This is simply a foundation for what will be! Yes - it will be an abstract!