Visual Art is a beautiful language using the elements and principles of art. As a painter and art instructor for many years, I also enjoy writing, nature, family and friends. The world of art is fun, challenging, exhausting and renewing all at the same time!
Please note, I am no longer using paypal. I'm in the process of removing paypal buttons. Secure credit card purchases are still available on my website! https://HelenCRead.com
This is the time of year when I find a lot of inspiration in the variety of colors and textures and shapes of the garden! And it's fun (and challenging) to do an abstract work. There are many design elements to keep in mind; balance, rhythm, motion, color harmony, directional flow. This painting leads the viewer into a color rich, imaginative garden experience.
For more information on this painting, click here.
Yes! - just until August 7th! Take $100 off the usual price ($197) on
my full length drawing course, The Incredible Pencil. ALSO, the first 5
to register will received a $15 gift card for art supplies.
Usually this course is $197, but now in this Summer Special it's just $97!
Whether a beginner, or wanting to brush up on your skills, or more -
this course with proven methods will lead you into advanced drawing
skills with confidence! In it you'll have full access to 20
instructional videos, more resources to download and use, a private
group to connect with others, and access for a full year! There's no
risk, because it has a 7 day money back guarantee!
Drawing is a fun
skill, and it is foundational to all other types of creative work!
Check out the details ~
https://helencreadart.com/incredible-pencil-course-info/
Don't miss out on this! Now is the perfect time to pick up the pencil and start drawing!
This is something I've been considering for a while...and now HERE IT IS! :)
The Art Adventure
Why have I created this on Patreon? For several reasons: As a busy artist, I need to this... I need time to just play. To explore. To experiment. To make whimsical creations. It's renewing and ... well, fun!
I also need to be connected with other artists and those who are adventuresome, who like to try new things and see what happens.
No matter what level of experience or the medium you most like ~ maybe for the person just starting out, or like me, has a lot of experience.... this is a fun adventure in creating!
I've taught fine art for many years, and now am a full time artist. There's something exciting and fun about working together - learning together - adventuring together.
I'm uploading a video with ideas to explore and experiment with each month, as well as other fun surprises. I've created a private group where we can connect and share with one another what we are doing - encouragement and support are vital! Together we'll uncover and develop our personal style or "voice".
You can join and see all the content with a 1 week Free membership, Then, if this is right for you, it's $5/mo ... that's it! And, of course, you can easily cancel at any time. $5 a month is a great value! To get new ideas, to have friends to share with, and to grow your creative style! Join us there - Let's adventure together!
This lovely little original oil painting is going to one of my friends in July! It could be you!
Just check my July newsnote (sending on July 5th) for all the details about how to enter to win it! It measures 3x3" and has a magnetic backing... perfect for a metallic surface or a small easel for a shelf.
OH, if you don't get my 1x a month note... it's not too late! Sign up right here!
You'll only get 1 email each month from me - but it will be colorful and you'll get exclusive fun content only available to my email friends (like a give away contest, or free downloadable art, or an exclusive discount). Let's be friends!!
Preparing an exhibit has taking up a good deal of my month of June! But this 10 piece landscape exhibit is now up and ready to be viewed! If you are local in Wheaton, IL, please stop in to see it! It is displayed on the main floor of the library and will be there through the month of July.
To see the pieces individually, please visit my website! https://HelenCRead.com and go to the landscape section.
Tranquility, 11x14" oil on canvas Shown framed in a floating frame.
There's something about being in nature - about the beauty, the colors, the sunlight... it is renewing. This painting captures the essence of tranquility... a quiet peace, a place to renew.
Not far from where I live - these beautiful tulips are in full bloom. This only gives a glimpse of the acres of flowers tucked into a woodsy setting. This little plein air painting captures a moment between sunshine and shadow.
This is what has been on my easel this last week or so. It's not quite finished. Still drying - not yet titled. This is, I suppose, a progress report! It measures 11x 14" and is painted with oil. Adjustments are coming soon!
Sometimes, I find something stuck away ... something I started a long while ago and never finished.
Flowering Crabapple
That was the case with this small watercolor. Just started and left unfinished. I'm not even sure when I started it ~ it's been several years! It was fun to add some more vivid color to the structure that was already there.
Pen and ink is such a wonderful medium. I did this small drawing a few months ago preparing for a larger painting. But - it had such a lovely feel just as a drawing. Not being able to resist a little color, I added a light wash of watercolor in the background.
This colorful painting is going to be given away! That's right! Every few months I paint a small painting to give to one of my friends. The details are all found in my monthly email newsletter. I've sent my little free paintings (literally) around the country and around the world!
All the details are in my newsletter, which will come out in the first few days of April. Don't miss out on the colorful, fun and uplifting email I send. Every month, there is something fun and exclusive ~ just for my friends! (Like a give away, or free art to download, or a friends discount)
A 2-part painting (Diptych) where much of my creative energy has gone in March!
As I was
working, that is the thought that came continually to mind - God's
creation that "sings colorfully" each spring. New life in abundance!
Each panel measures 14x11", and when seen as a diptych, the overall size is 14 x 22". Painted in oil paint, the painting is a memory-generated painting of the landscape I remember from my childhood in Texas. It is in the spring when new life bursts forth in the beautiful colors of the rainbow.
My process began with an underpainting and then I painted these panels simultaneously in order to achieve continuity. The challenges included compositional questions. How to make this work as a whole, and yet, each panel also work separately. Color questions also presented themselves. I worked with a limited palette, but I wanted to make my color bright and vivid without becoming garrish. Yet, even when viewing the wildflowers in person, they are almost over the top in color vivacity!
It is almost finished. I still need to paint the sides so that the panels can be framed in a floating frame. It will be posted on my website soon!
The beautiful jewel tones of the garden are, to me, like gemstones! They catch the light brilliantly and sparkle in the sunlight. Add to that a lovely cobalt water jug and the whole arrangement glows!
This small painting captures the diversity of color, shape, and size that one might find in a flower garden and brings it indoors to delight the viewer.
There's no shortage of color in the floral world! I'm thankful for that. But, flowers fade and become only a memory. Vibrant and brilliant, these flowers will not fade or fail to bring colorful cheer to the room.
They are ready to send to brighten any room where they are found. Shown below framed in a solid wood frame in black.
Either framed or unframed, domestic shipping is included. (IL residents please add 8% sales tax)
