Announcing!!

Title Contest Winners!
If you have been watching - in the month of March, I opened a Title Contest to
help me name some recent paintings. Well, I got some great suggestions, and now the
titles are chosen.

White Fire, 28x28" Oil on canvas

Dill-icious! 6x6" Acrylic on canvas

Still Steeping, approx 10 x 12", acrylic on paper

Thank you so much, everyone who sent their suggestions! These winners will receive my brand new set of floral notecards, which are just coming off the press! Check in the next few days for a peek at what they look like.

I'll be posting a new promo or contest in the next few days. As I've mentioned, I'm trying to do something interesting and fun every month that gives my "Studio Friends" a chance to interact with what I'm doing! All you need to do is sign up for my email list and you'll be notified of what is going on! This is my way, during difficult economic times, to stay focused and to include YOU! Finding new friends and staying connected to my old friends has never been more important! If you haven't joined us yet - please do! You can see what I'm trying to do ... (and what you won't have to endure) ... on the right side of my blog.

Pink Gerbera Daisy, multiplied

Tall Daisies, triptych - total measurement 8 x 24" Oil on canvas

set of 3 - $300

For the artist's comments on this painting, please click here.

Please email me for more information on purchase.
studio_upstairs@hotmail.com

Sun Rising

SunRise, 18 x 20" Oil on canvas covered board
$400.00

Ode to Spring

Daffodil, approx. 5x7" - Pen and Ink

Eagle in profile

Eagle, 4x6" Scratchboard Drawing

For My Studio Friends ~ our first contest!

I need your help!
Coming up with cool titles for my paintings can sometimes be a challenge!
These are 3 of my latest paintings - and they need something more than the
simple titles I came up with..... so -

Now through March 31st
I'm offering a contest to my Studio Friends
with a chance to win -
my newest set of floral notecards,
which are not yet available to the public.
(read the simple rules for this contest below!)

Acrylic on canvas (dill weed)

acrylic on paper (tea mug)

Oil on canvas (white tulip)

In order to participate:
1. Join my Studio Friends email group (information and a quick sign up box are located on the right side of my blog). If you get regular emails from me already, you are already a member - you can skip this step!
2. Email me with your title suggestions ... send me as many ideas as you have ~ which will give you more opportunities to win! my email address: studio_upstairs@hotmail.com
3. At the end of March, titles will be chosen from the suggestions for the 3 paintings above.
If your title is chosen, I'll contact you and find out the shipping address. You'll receive a hot-off-the-press set of my newest set of notecards featuring florals.
4. Oh - and of course! - Invite your friends to join us!
5. Then - look for next month's contest/drawing for all my Studio Friends members!

I hope you'll have fun with this. Its my way of acquainting you and others with my work ~ while establishing contacts and creating a little bit of fun!! Upcoming ideas, which will be open to my Friends include such things as freebie previews of some of my latest work in the form of free downloadable prints, online title parties - such as we are doing right now, drawings for free paintings, drawings for gift baskets, etc. So join us, if you haven't already!

White Tulip

White Tulip, 28 x 28" Oil on canvas

This one is large - and it has taken awhile to finish. For more information on the progress of this painting, please click here.

Hope emerges

Seed, 18x20" Oil on panel, 1999

I'm posting an older painting today - one that was completed almost 10 yrs ago - but for the 1st day of March, it seemed appropriate. It is an abstraction of a seed pod. I am truly anxious for spring to begin to make things green again! It has been a long winter.

Winter in nature - but in a way - a sense of winter has descended on us nationally, it seems. There is much uncertainty, and a great deal of doom and gloom being preached from our highest national office. It is so easy to succumb to a spirit of fear. And fear inspires paralysis, lack of motivation, a tendency to pull in and close up. The spirit of "change" that so many people embraced just a few months ago, now appears to be rather empty. The changes that have been thrust upon us are ones that are hard to swallow. They fly in the face of our traditional values of independence and hard work and honoring life.

Its good, I think, to remember that in spite of the economic fear we can't deny, and the fact that "change" is altering the face of who we know ourselves to be, elected leaders and officials certainly do not have the last word. And "springtime within" seems nearer to me - within grasp even - when I remember in whose hands this world, the political scene, and my very life are held. In the hands and heart of God - our creator - we have all the essentials of hope.

"Yet, I dare to hope when I remember this: The unfailing love of the Lord never ends.... great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day." Lamentations 3:21,22

A very special cause..... Benefit Auction

Twilight, 8x8" Oil on Canvas

Auction Complete! This painting will be shipped to Austin, TX!

I want to introduce you to a family that has inspired and blessed me as they battle through a tragedy, which struck their family last October. Their son, JD, who is 12, had a very sudden accident that nearly resulted in his drowning. His life was saved, though there was a time soon after the accident when it wasn’t certain he would live. He has been in various stages of coma since the accident, though he continues to progress toward recovery. The family lives in Austin, TX and JD was hospitalized for a time there in Austin. For the last several months he has been in a Dallas area rehabilitation facility. The distance between the 2 cities is about 4 ½ hours. So JD, his mother, and youngest sister have been in Dallas, while JD’s dad, and 2 school-aged sisters have been living in Austin, making many trips back and forth.

Through it all, their family has dared to trust in God’s goodness and walk this difficult walk by faith. Such an inspiration. They have shown all of us how precious life is. Now, JD is being released to return to his home in Austin. His progress continues, but he will return to his home with a very long road of recovery still ahead. Many, many changes to their normal family life have had and will have to be made. A handicapped ready home has meant many construction changes. A van to accommodate JD and his wheel chair has been another unforeseen expense. Anyone who has had a major medical situation knows that insurance never covers everything. And there are ongoing medications and medical procedures that continue.

Many hands have helped, but more help is needed. Though I do not live anywhere near Austin – we can help in a creative way! The above painting is being auctioned for JD’s many needs. The profits from this painting will be donated to the family for the medical and/or peripheral expenses they have and continue to incur. I hope you will place a bid. And I also hope that you will inform others so that they may participate! The auction winner will receive this small, southwestern scene – and JD’s family will be helped in the process!

To find out more about JD’s story and to get a snapshot of his wonderful family, you can visit his CaringBridge link: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jdhartman

Also, you can visit his Facebook group - “Pray for JD Hartman”. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=42732420571

Morning Dew Drops

copyright 2009, Helen Read

Dill Weed, 6x6" acrylic on canvas
Features dew drops on dill weed in morning light.
$100.00