Japanese Iris by Helen C. Read

For some time now I have subscribed to artist Helen C. Read’s email newsletters about her current paintings. She lives in Illinois and does her work out of The Studio Upstairs. She does lovely paintings of natural objects – still life studies of fruit, flowers, and other botanicals, which I find very pleasing.

In early summer I received a message with a free painting offer:
“For the first 12 of my studio friends to send me an email request, I will send your small print of a spring flower as a gift. It will be ready to mat and frame and hang as a reminder of spring's long awaited arrival this year! Please respond right away in order to be one of the first 12!”
I rushed to enter and was happy to receive the matted print soon after. I looked at my frames and found one that fit exactly:


Her bio states that she is a parent, high school teacher, artist, and writer. In addition, “she is an active member of her church and several small groups.”

For more information, and to see her beautiful and truly fabulous paintings please visit or write:

Website: http://www.helencread.com/
Email: studio_upstairs@hotmail.com
Blog: http://helenreads.blogspot.com/
Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/HelenCRead

Helen Read
The Studio Upstairs
PO Box 251 - Wheaton, IL 60187

Visit Cindy at My Romantic Home for links to other Show and Tell participants.

Friday Show and Tell: African Style and Design

Show and tell Friday is hosted by Kelli at There is No Place Like Home.

Back in February 1996 I noticed a student on campus with a colorful canvas bag for Black History Month. When told that it was available in the college bookstore, I went over and got one for myself. Inside each bag was a leaflet with a bibliography of books on the theme for the month.

Today is February 29, the last day of Black History Month 2008 so I thought I'd do a post on a couple books on African design and style.

A few years back, I saw a program on HGTV featuring interior designers, Sharne Algotsson and Denys Davis, authors of The Spirit of African Design. New York: Clarkson Potter, 1996. In the Preface they state "our goal was to take traditional African art out of the museum and look at it in the home." "We have chosen to showcase homes around us (including our own), sharing their creative use of African and African-inspired art and design."

"Kitchens and Dining Rooms"

"Furniture Forms"

"Africa in Your Backyard"

Another book featuring African design is African Style by Stephane Guibourge. Paris: Flammarion, 2000.


The author Stephane Guibourge is a novelist and journalist. "In the course of his many trips to Africa he has developed a passion for African art and crafts." Designer Annie Desgrippes and photographer Frederic Morellec selected and skillfully presented nearly two hundred items that reflect the African lifestyle. The four sections of the book cover Materials, Colors, Patterns, Shapes.

"Colors"

"Patterns"

These two books provide an introduction to a fascinating range of design and style which we do not see very often. I hope this brief post whets your interest in African design and style.

To visit other Show and Tell posts, please go to Kelli’s. Thank you for coming by. Please leave a comment and do come again soon.

Show & Tell: Cape Town Carvings

Show and tell Friday is hosted by Kelli at There is No Place Like Home.

As a young girl with an interest in geography in peoples around the world, I always wanted to have a collection of dolls from various countries. One of my maternal uncles worked on a ship that took him to many countries. At one point he brought our family a 90-plus piece set of porcelain dishes from China. This became the special-occasion set used for holidays and other events.

Although I made known to him my desire for international dolls, he never got any for me. But around my 22nd birthday he came for a visit and handed me a paper sack. I took it with one hand, and immediately sank down to the floor under the weight of its contents. Upon opening it I found two carved heads of dark wood.

My uncle indicated that he had purchased them in Cape Town, South Africa. The sculptures were a combination of smooth and rough textures.

When I received them the finish was a dark uniform color. As a part of my living room décor they were set on a lamp table or sometimes the coffee table. In time sunlight faded the dark finish and revealed a striated wood underneath.


I have always enjoyed the rich elegance of the forms and so have my friends.

Over the years I even had offers to buy them. But I consider them a treasure with special family ties to my favorite uncle.

To visit other Show and Tell posts, please go to Kelli’s. Do come again soon. Please leave a comment. Thank you for coming by.