Petunia in Shadows

Petunia in Shadows,  6x6.5" mixed media (ink and acrylic) on illustration board 

©2012, Helen Read
$40.00
matted in off white (measuring 12x12")
(please add $8.00 shipping in the US, IL residents please add 8.25% sales tax)

New Abstract

Untitled Abstract,  22x15" Acrylic on paper 

©2011, Helen Read 

New abstract

Untitled (yet),  21x14" Acrylic on paper 

©2011, Helen Read 

This painting has been a few weeks in process. As you can see there are many layers and therefore, lots of time, both in the painting and in the analysis of what more needed to be done.  Though I haven't really planned it this way, I believe I've started working through some ideas in an abstract way, and I also believe I have more that is still yet to be!    

The idea behind this, though it is not yet titled, is the creative, playful, joyful presence and activity of the Holy Spirit.  The Spirit who with his poetry and art gave his creativity to the forming of all we see in nature.  The Spirit who inspires art and beauty in our culture.  The Spirit who seeks the hearts of all who would be intrigued, and open, and desiring to know him.  

How can one portray these thoughts?  Certainly abstraction is the only vehicle.  And yet - the Spirit is not abstract, in the sense of the unknowable.  Unseen, yes ... but the works of his creativity are evidenced in every part of our existence!  And he makes his presence known within us. 

Sunday Thoughts

Abstraction - botanical, approx 9 x 9" - graphite and colored pencil on paper


"Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love?
Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity or persecution,
or are hungry or cold or in danger or threatened with death?
... No! Despite these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ who loves us.
I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love.
Death can't,
and life can't.
The angels can't and demons can't.
Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell
can't keep God's love away. Whether we are high above the sky or in the
deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God
that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:35-39

In troubled times... in days of uncertainty... when the future seems unclear, and even the present is unstable, this is good news! God's love is certain and available to all! And it is given to us through the gift and presence of Christ. There are no guarantees that trouble will not come... difficulty is a fact of life on this earth. But there is assurance to those who place their trust in Christ - that he will walk along with us, never letting go. I can think of no safer place to be found!

Black Calla Study

Black Cally Study - approx. 5x7" watercolor/acrylic on paper
$30.00