Final Posting in 2008

Happy New Year!

Watercolor Paintings and Drawings done this year.

I'm posting the end of the paintings that I've done this year... my final posting for the December rewind! I haven't posted the paintings that have been sold this year .... but, it has been a productive year, as you can see as you scroll through this month of postings. It is kind of good to see everything in one place!

Please have a safe and wonderful New Year celebration .... and may the new year be one of optimism and opportunity! Blessings!

2008 in review

Fallscape, Oil on canvas

Pretty in Pink, Oil on canvas

Two more - larger paintings from this year.
I believe the measurements are as follows (I need to go back and
check the records):
Fallscape - 10 x 12"
Pretty in Pink, 20 x 28"

2008 in review ~

The Undulation Series
(both are 20x20" - Oil on canvas)

Undulation 1

Undulation 2

Rewinding the year ...

Sunflower Triptych - oil on canvases - total measurment 14 x 48"

The Nest Series ...

The year continues in review ~

Empty Nest w/Feather - 6x6" Oil on canvas

Nest Eggs, 10 x 12" Oil on canvas

Empty Nest with Shell Fragments, 6x6" Oil on canvas

Click here to read about the reasons and symbolism behind this set of 3.

The year in review - continued:

Please visit my online catalog - just a few more days left!
Click here!


Hollyhock Stocks in Bloom, 8x8" Oil on canvas $120

Marigold magnified, 5x7" Oil on canvas, $100

Several more of for my December rewind! The botanical theme continues as it did through most of the year this year! These two featured two types of floral presentations. Magnification always interests me ... I love the surprises seen within a common image. The grouping of hollyhocks was experimenting with composition and subject for a larger piece that is a possible commission.

For more information on the purchase of these - or any of the other paintings featured here,
please email me - studio_upstairs@hotmail.com

More from this year of painting ~

Top: Coneflower Centered, 8x8" Oil on canvas - $120
Bottom: Coneflower 3, 5x7" Oil on canvas - $100

Please remember! Discount given on the purchase of more than 1 painting
for this month of December! More details here.

More of the year in review! These two were part of the 3 small coneflowers I did this summer. Each was quite different; each featured coneflowers at various stages of their lifespan and with different kinds of light on them.

December Rewind, continued ~

Be sure to visit my Online Catalog!

Coneflower 1, 5x7" Oil on canvas - $100.00

Green grapes, 5x7" Oil on canvas, $100

Two more paintings from the year which is almost over!

Twilight

Twilight, 8x8" Oil on canvas, $120.00

For more information on this painting, please click here.

To find out about its availability, please email me:
studio_upstairs@hotmail.com

December Rewind ....

Set of 8 notecards (4 designs) featuring my Original Fruit Watercolor Paintings

I developed a new set of notecards during 2008. This set features 4 of my original paintings within a border. The border says "A Tree is Known by its Fruit" and the 9 fruits of the spirit are included with one of them being featured in larger type at the bottom. They are blank inside and measure 4.25 x 5.5". Envelopes are included. $10.00 per set.

I've sold quite a few of these in the past few months. Personally, I'm glad that I have a few things to encourage actual, physical correspondence! There's something tactile and wonderful about writing and receiving actual personal mail!

To see other notecard sets featuring my original art, please click here.

Mint anyone?

Peppermint, wrapped - approx 4 x 5" - Colored Pencil on Black Drawing Paper

For more about this, click here.

December Rewinds

The painting year in review!

Three Small Sunflowers 5x5" - $90 ea. , and 5x7" $100
when purchased together - $250.00

Yellow Cat - 8x8" Acrylic on canvas - $120. 00

Please see my website for more paintings from 2008 that are available. Also special discounts are being offered in the month of December!

Also available are notecards, which make great stocking stuffers!

More from my December Rewind ~

Reposting 2008 Paintings Still Available!
Its not too late to give something special to someone special for Christmas!

Prices are marked, however ....
purchase 2 or more paintings for a 10% discount!

Blue Kitten, 5x5" Acrylic on canvas, $90.00

Green on Blue, 5x7" Oil on canvas, $100.00

See more! Visit my Online Gift Catalog, for more ideas,
from stocking stuffers to one-of-a-kind paintings!

December Rewind, continued ~

Reposting 2008 Paintings Still Available!
Its not too late to give something special to someone special for Christmas!

Prices are marked, however ....
purchase 2 or more paintings for a 10% discount!

Red Velvet, 5x5" Oil on canvas $90.00

Berry Bowl, 6x6" Oil on Canvas, $100.00

Please visit my online catalog to see other paintings and notecards that make
great holiday gifts!
Gift Catalog

December Rewind ....

Reposting some paintings not yet sold from 2008!
Its not too late to give something special to someone special for Christmas!

Prices are marked, however ....
purchase 2 or more for a 10% discount!

Snowscape, 8x8" Oil on canvas, $120.00

Red Cabbage, 5 x 7" Oil on canvas, $100.00

Three Lemons, 6x6" Oil on canvas, $100.00

To see other ideas for Christmas Gift Giving (including great stocking stuffers) please visit my online catalog: http://HelenCRead.com/catalog.html

Prices do not reflect 7.75% sales tax for IL residents,
Shipping is additional.

Questions? Please email me! Studio_upstairs@hotmail.com

Join me.....

This afternoon/evening for
Hollyhock Floral and Gift Shop's Grand Opening
Wine Tasting and Appetizers
4:30 - 7:00 pm
203 S. Hale St., Wheaton, IL

Red Poppies, 8x8" Oil on canvas

Hibiscus, 14" Hand Painted Wooden Platter

I plan to be there, my work will be displayed, and who knows what the owners Angela and Andrea have planned!? It is a great little place, full of beautiful holiday spirit! Pictured above are a few things I've created that are on display there.

You can see more at my website. Check out my
online Christmas catalog, where you can
find many ideas in lots of price ranges, with holiday discounts available!

'Tis the Season!

Ready or not ~ the Christmas Season is upon us!

I haven't done a whole lot this year (yet) to get ready for the season.
It seems that it is one of the busiest times of the year.... and yet, also one of the most joyous holidays that we celebrate.

To help with some gift-giving ideas, I've put together a web page of beautiful, artistic gifts.
From stocking stuffers to decorative painted bowls to one-of-a-kind small original oil paintings.... the perfect idea for someone special! And you can make your selections right from home.... see it all conveniently placed on 1 page! I've included a few discounts as well!

Visit my website, by clicking here!
And I hope you will take a minute to sign up for my Google Group here at the right side of my blog so you get the newest announcements as they become available!

Recalling our blessings ~

Hollyhock stocks in bloom, 8x8" oil on canvas
$120.00

Happy Thanksgiving!
For more information about this painting and a Thanksgiving wish,
please visit Brushstroke, etc.

Purple Lace

Purple Kale, 7.5 x 11" watercolor on paper
$70.00

Fallscape Finally Finished ~

Fallscape, 10.5 x 12" Oil on canvas

Please email me for information on availability
studio_upstairs@hotmail.com

Old Fashioned Hollyhock

Pink Hollyhock, 6x6" Oil on canvas
$100.00

Little Surprises!

Marigold, 5x7" Oil on canvas - ready for framing, $100.00

For more information on this painting and the artist, please click here.

"These Three Remain....

...Faith, Hope and Love

Sunflowers 5x5" and 5x7", Oil on canvas, 2008

But the greatest of these is Love."

So ends the 13th chapter of 1 Corinthians, the "Love Chapter". "Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way, it is not irritable, and it keeps no record of wrong doing. It is never glad about injustice, but rejoices when truth wins. Love never gives up, does not lose faith, is full of hope, and endures through every circumstance. Love lasts forever."

This is a description of God's love. His love for us ~ and the love he makes available to us through his Spirit. And yet, in so saying, God's love is also realistic and though freely given, can only be received by those who chose to receive it. And, along with his love and desire for people - to be in a loving relationship with people - he will never dictate that we love him.
This time - now - is the time that God's gracious love is being offered ... to each one of us, regardless of our history, regardless of what "un-godlike" things live in our past. And it is as close to each one of us as a heart felt breath of prayer ... accepting His love, given freely through his Son, Jesus Christ.

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, Jesus, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have life - everlasting."

I am pleased to announce......

The opening (expected this week)
of
Hollyhocks
Floral and Gift Shop
203 S. Hale St. - Wheaton, IL

I am honored to have my art work included in this beautiful new flower/gift shop -
and I hope you'll have the opportunity to drop in and meet the owners and
see what they are creating!

Above are some of the paintings and painted bowls which are
on display (and for sale), as well as my notecards.
I'm excited to be developing some new art for them as well - and will keep you posted as
that progresses!

Sunday Thoughts~

Many gods, water media on paper

The first commandment:
"I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from slavery .... do not worship any other gods besides me! Do not make idols of any kind ...you must never worship or bow down to them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God and I will not share your affections with any other god!" Ex. 20:2-4

This seems like ancient - out dated, perhaps - text. And yet - is it?
Perhaps it would speak more clearly to our day if we pictured other things. Things we work long and tiring hours to acquire, which become more dearly desired than a desire to know a loving God. Perhaps it would speak more clearly if we pictured places or people or activities that take a higher priority in our lives. Perhaps we ourselves - our own ambitions and whims and wisdom and decisions - ought to be pictured. There are many gods besides our Creator who loves us!

And what about God describing himself as a "jealous God"? That doesn't sound good, does it?
There are many attachments and understandings we of the 21st century associate with the word jealous. Most of us have grown up with the understanding that jealousy is always a negative trait. But, perhaps, there are times when it is the exactly right thing. In this case, God is reminding these people - who didn't know him very well yet - that he loves them. He has rescued them out of an impossible situation ... they had been reduced to absolute slavery and oppression. He had led them away from that in the face of incredible odds. They (a large crowd of people including women, children, babies, elderly) had been literally backed into a corner with the most advanced army of the world descending upon them and a sea behind them - and miraculously, God opened the sea, sent a wind to dry up the bed of it, and they crossed it safely as the enemy watched. He led them to water in the desert, he fed them, and cared for them..... as a parent tenderly cares for a young child. God already knew that their hearts would wander to other desires, and yet he still loved them and longed for a relationship with them.
None of this makes any sense of course, unless it is understood that God -the creator of the universe- is a relational God who desires true relationship with people.

And today - in our fast paced, technological world of so many demands on our time and energy, this God of ancient times - still desires that same connection and deep relationship with people. With us! He is not willing to share us with other "gods", who are no gods at all. He wants our hearts. He wants to be in the center of our lives - and he already has each of us individually in the center of his desires. Another passage in the bible (one of my favorites) speaks of the tenderness of God's heart for us. "Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for a child she has borne? Even if that were possible, I would not forget you! See, I have written your name on my hand." (Isaiah 49:15-16)

Pretty amazing, really! God makes himself very vulnerable when he tells us that he loves us, longs for us, and is jealous for us. It is the heart of a Lover who expresses himself in this way.

(The above painting was done about 10 years ago. I did it at the Field Museum in Chicago in front of an exhibit of the masks of the Northwestern Native American tribes. The masks are sculptural and painted in rich colors! It was a pleasure to work with the composition to make them all interlock. The media is a variety of water media, including watercolor and acrylic on paper. The size measures approx 25 x 30")

Further developments ~

The progress on these 4 little birds continues. More to come!

Just for fun....

4 unfinished (as yet) small paintings
Stay tuned for the plans for these 4 little paintings.