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Who Doesn't Like Free Art and Access to What Goes On in the Studio?

9/22/2026 2:32:52 PM by Helen C Read
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I really enjoy creating small gifts for my Artful Friends! This little original oil painting will be given to one of my friends in early October. If you aren't one of my Artful Friends yet... there's time to become one! There are great reasons, if you love! You'll get a 1x a month colorful note right in your inbox. Every month, I create something fun for you and also keep you up to date with what's happening in my studio. You'll get some special discounts, opportunities to win some art and art you can download for yourself. You'll never be inundated by email - no one likes an overflowing inbox! Click the link and you'll get a welcome email - and then at the beginning of each month, look for my colorful, newsy note! Let's be friends!! htps://artfulfriends.subscribepage.io

How to Stretch Your Own Canvas

9/18/2026 3:05:03 PM by Helen C Read
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Stretching your own canvas isn't that hard - it takes a bit of time, understanding of the technique and a few supplies. All in all, it's a very satisfying part of making art - a craft in and of itself. With the rising prices of art supplies and the ability to create "made-to-order" canvases, this might be something to try.

See the Video Here to Watch the Step by Step Process

It's an ancient technique, used for hundreds of years when canvases weren't readily purchased in an art supply store. So, there's historical value as well as practical value! Because it is a process that takes some time between steps, I like to make several canvases at a time - waiting to become my next painting!

I've used stretcher bars that I purchased and assembled (being sure they are perfectly squared when assembled), unprimed cotton duck canvas, heavy duty staples, rabbit skin glue granules, and gesso. The only tools I use are scissors, staple gun, sanding block and paint brush. It's also helpful to have a surface to work on, such as a table top and some kind of plastic protection on that surface. Yes, it's possible to make your own stretcher bars, which I have done. Perhaps that should be a separate video!

Leave me a comment - Have you ever made a canvas such as this? Would you enjoy the process of making a canvas as part of your studio work?

From Ordinary to Interesting

9/2/2026 3:08:25 PM by Helen C Read
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It's so easy to see what is before us - ordinary objects, ordinary colors - and never take deeper notice. This is a little plein air watercolor painting I did at Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL. It was a very overcast day - no blue skies, a lot of green looking toward a stand of trees. Pretty ordinary. I challenged myself to see something more - to imagine deeper colors and to express something beyond ordinary.

I painted quickly trying to stay ahead of the next rainfall. I was able to finish it (though it is a small painting) and get to my car before the rain began. :)

This little painting is one of the ways that I give gifts to my Artful Friends each month. It was a free download with permission to print for personal use. Some months, I offer an exclusive discount. Some months, I paint an original little painting that I give away to one of my Artful Friends. (I've given away dozens of little paintings - no strings attached - from coast to coast and overseas too.)

I'd love to invite you to become an Artful Friend. You'll get 1 colorful note in your inbox from me with news, updates, interesting things, and something I put together just for you! Sign up right here!

I look forward to getting to know you!!