October - 2009 Back to Helen's Website
Visit Helen's Blog(all images - owned with copyright 2008, 2009 - Helen Read)
Falling Leaves, 5x5" Oil on canvas ©2009 - Helen Read
Hi everyone,
Fall has arrived, entering our area like a freight train! This year it seems like we've hardly experience any of the beautiful, sunny, warmish fall days that are usual for us. Instead, it arrived with rain and cold weather - and much earlier than usual.
I have been very busy this fall. There's exciting news to share! Of course the first weeks of fall are very busy with the new school year getting started. But, I've been very busy with art and studio work as well.
And, we have some new members to welcome to our studio group as well! Welcome! Please invite your friends and family to join us, too!
What's New?
Botanical Exhibit in Wheaton!
This past month I've been honored to present an exhibit of 25 botanical paintings titled, Lessons from Matthew 6. These are presented in conjunction with artist's notes. The main theme of this exhibit is a focus on the beauty of creation and its lessons on God's provision and love for us, his most treasured part of creation.
Online Gallery News!
ArtSetter
In the last few weeks, I've been honored to be accepted into an online gallery called ArtSetter, which is based in France. It is a group of international artists who's candidacy is considered and then accepted by the membership. The quality of the art is high, and I'm happy and honored to have my work included in the site. Visit Artsetter at this link.
Daily Painters International Art Gallery
Also, I was honored to be invited to join another group of international artists for their online gallery. It is limited to 100 invited artists from around the globe. Once again, the quality of the work is very good, so I am quite pleased to be posting my work on this site as of the beginning of October. Visit the DPIAG site.
New Work off the Easel!
Icy Bank, 11 x 14" Oil on canvas $750.00 After the Storm, 11 x 14" Oil on canvas $750.00 Falling Leaves, 5x5" Oil on canvas $90.00
Please click each image to find out more.
Please click here to see an oil pastel version of Icy Bank.
Great Gift Ideas - under $25.00
Prints and Note Cards
Give the gift of art for the holidays. For the person who already has nearly everything, what about the gift of fine or whimsical art? Available as prints and notecards, all under $25.00. Please visit this link to see all that is available. From strawberries to flowers to cats to fashionably dressed birds, and more! (6 different note card sets of original work)
Purchase 2 or more prints and/or note cards and receive a Free Gift - Limited Edition Note Card Set. From now through December 2009.
An Artist of Interst:
Andrew Wyeth (1917 - 2009)
Recently, American artist, Andrew Wyeth passed away at the age of 91, and his life and work are well worth noting. He was a
member of the very prolific Wyeth family of artists and illustrators, including N.C. Wyeth and Jamie Wyeth.
His work, while always realistic and highly textured, was often done in subtle and crisp earth tone colors, and it wonderfully
depicted the changing face of Americana throughout the 20th century. Often stark, he showed his audience the haunting beauty of
both landscapes and people with equal skill. He worked almost exculsively in the eastern part of our country, in both PA and New
England.
More interested in hiw own judgment of his work than what others thought, he followed his own instincts for subject and color and
method. 20th century American art was greatly influenced by his unique view of his world and his amazing skill as an artist. See the
following website to learn more, gain a new appreciation, and see some of his beautiful works.
A Fall Treat - What to do with Pumpkin!
Fall brings to mind many happy things and one of my favorites is pumpkin. From ice cream to cream cheese to pie - pumpkin speaks of this time of year. In honor of that, here is a favorite fall cookie recipe!
Pumpkin-Raisin Cookies
2 c. shortening (I use the non-hydrogenated kind found in health food stores)
2 c. sugar
1 16 oz can pumpkin
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
4 c. all purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp. ground allspice
2 c. raisins
1 c. chopped pecans
Cream shortening and sugar. Add pumpkin, eggs, and vanilla; beat well. Stir together dry ingredients and add to batter. Mix well. Stir in raisins and nuts. Drop by rounded teaspoons 2" apart on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350˚ for 12-15 min. Cool on rack. Makes 7 dozen.
May the fall season of cooler weather, beautiful colors, and holiday gatherings be one of many happy moments and great memories for you and your family this year.
Please feel free to forward this newsletter to those who you know who would enjoy being connected to us through email! I always look forward to meeting new friends who drop by my virtual studio! Until next time, I'll be painting - and sending short updates!
Sincerely,
Helen Read - The Studio Upstairs
As I close, a reminder of God's great faithfulness from Psalm 65
"You soften the earth with showers and bless it with abundant crops. You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance." v. 10-11
The Studio Upstairs - PO Box 251 - Wheaton, IL 60187 studio_upstairs@hotmail.com