Studio Notes from Helen Read at
The Studio Upstairs
June Newsletter - 2009 Back to Helen's Website
(all images - owned with copyright 2008, 2009 - Helen Read)
Sunflower in Repose, 5x7" Oil on canvas, 2008 - Helen Read
Greetings!
You are one of the first to receive my first email newsletter this summer. As you can see, I'm trying out something new - an email service! I hope keeping up with my Studio Friends (you) will be easier. I love the connection with you and want you to look forward to it as well.
I will be including news and photos of new work, information about upcoming promotions - which I am trying to do about once a month, and a few other interesting art related articles.
Please let me know what you think about this new format. Your opinion is valuable to me, especially as I try to determine its efficiency, its visual appeal, and how it gets the "word out". (Seriously! send me an email from the link at the left, I really would like your input.) Also, please forward this email to your friends who might be interested in visual art! It is always one of my goals to expand my list of friends and contacts. It is easy to join us, but before that, people have to know about us! Your introduction is of great value to me!
What's New?
Morning Mist - tonal landscape - 6x12" Oil pastel on canvas
New work from the studio: If you have read my blog lately, you know I'm interested in working with landscapes again. This is an example of the type of landscape work I am interested in pursuing, showing softened atmosphere, unusual color, and creating a slightly abstract quality while maintaining a sense of familiarity.
You can read more about what I'm doing with this idea at my blog: Brushstrokes, etc
Family News: This has been a busy spring! Life seems to always be full, but this spring Travis, my middle son, graduated from college and is now relocated to the west coast! Last year at this time, we were celebrating my oldest son, Drew's, wedding. He and his wife are living and working for a few summer months near Portland, OR. Wendy has just completed her first year of college here in our area. We've had the opportunity to travel a little bit in short bursts, which allowed us to see friends, family, and some cool places - including a tour through Southern Illinois, Missouri and Arkansas. We got to visit the small town of Eureka Springs, AR - I highly recommend it!
Currently In Progress: As summer begins, I am busily updating my website. I hope to have a more efficient site where seeing the art is easier and making purchases is much more simplified. Redesigning and creating it online is taking some time, but please check back throughout the summer. Helen's Website
Also this summer - I will be taking a graduate class in preparation for teaching again in the fall.
Studio Friends! - my email newsletter group.
Image above: Undulation 2, 20 x 20" Oil on canvas, 2008 - Helen Read
Community and Conversation ~
This year, feeling that I needed to create a sense of community with those who I try to stay in touch with, I wondered what would make it interesting and fun for you to keep hearing from me and to stay in touch?
It seems that at a time in our culture, with the economic situation usually grim, with news generally being negative, it would be nice to do some things just for fun! I know I need that, and I'm sure I am not alone. So, I decided to do something with my art work that would bring beauty, creativity, fun, and perhaps inspiration to those who have joined my email group. (That's you!) I hope to interest others and increase the size of my email group in the process. (That's where you come in - I'm counting on your introductions to new friends!) So far this spring, we've had:
1. Name the paintings contest
2. Drawings for free art
3. Give aways
4. Auctions that start at ridiculously low bids
I have some new ideas ahead.... so, stay tuned! Watch for my announcements and get involved! Its a great way to get a first peek preview, to stay in touch, and acquire original artwork for your home!
Newest Note Cards from My Studio
Floral Note Card Set of 8 - $10.00
4 designs, 8 note cards + envelopes
For purchase information or to see other designs,
please click here.
Artist in the Spotlight .
To acquaint you with an artist I admire, I am featuring an artist I think you might like too:
Wolf Kahn
Several years ago, I stumbled upon an artist that captured my attention and has held it ever since. He is an American Artist, living in New England. His work is colorful and expressive and in my opinion - one of a kind!
He has a very interesting life history - as a child he escaped Germany just as the second world war was getting underway, he arrived in the US, and began his career here. Beginning as an expressionist painter, he has since taken some of his early roots and applied them to the American landscape, primarily.
His work uses color brilliantly - with very interesting combinations. He is a master of showing us the believable with a little bit of fantasy in the way it is portrayed. He works in both oils and pastels. I hope you'll take a look at his work at the link below, and let the joy of his way of seeing the world envelope you as it does me! You will, no doubt, see a bit of the inspiration I am taking for my new venture into landscape painting.
What's the Big Deal?
Owning original art. People wonder - Why spend extra money for an "original" when I can go to a discount store and buy a print? For some purposes that might be an option, but owning an original is pretty cool, and here's why.
A print never exactly captures the original. Of course, there are excellent print qualities - however, an original has nuances and undertones of color that are only seen in person. Secondly, there is a tactile-ness (new word) about the original that isn't in a print. You can best see the brush strokes - the textures left by the artist - and the richness of the paint qualities only in person. And finally, a print does not increase in value while it is quite possible that an original will.
Buying original art does not have to require a large outlay of money, either. There are wonderful values available, even now (maybe especially now) with the economy in question. It is easy to own a lovely, small oil painting for under $100. Pocket change!! Keep your eyes open for what you like. You can find paintings at art fairs or festivals. Some galleries have excellent values as well. And, of course, you may know an artist - and purchase directly! As an artist, it is always great to send out work to a collector who appreciates what you do and would like to give your painting a great home! (Visit my virtual studio to see some great values for original work!)
Approaching Storm,
6x6" Oil on canvas, $100 - ready to frame
Helen Read - 2009
Last - but not least - Summer Gourmet!
Tropical Fruit Salsa
1 c. diced fresh papaya
1 c. diced fresh firm mango
1 lg. diced avocado
1 lg. red bell pepper, diced
1-2 jalapeno peppers, seeded & minced
2 T. chopped green onion tops
2 T. fresh minced cilantro
3 T. lime juice
1 - 2 T. sugar (if desired)
1 tsp. grated ginger
ground pepper and salt to taste
Combine and refrigerate at least 1 hr.
This has become one of my favorites on hot days. It is great with chips. It also goes well with fish.
I hope you have enjoyed my first, more visual and colorful newsletter. Please help me build my email list by referring your friends and family to me or forwarding this to someone you know would be interested. As I mentioned at the beginning, I'd really like your input as I learn how to design and create newsletters of interest. (email link on the left panel) I want you to enjoy them and look forward to the next one!
I hope your summer is underway and enjoyable!
Sincerely,
Helen Read
An encouraging Bible verse to end with:
Ps. 91:1-2 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare of the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I am trusting in him.
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