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.

Blue Monday – Watercolor Painting

Blue Monday is sponsored by Sally at Smiling Sally.

Today I’d likle to share another of the paintings displayed here at Oak Rise Cottage. I bought this from the artist, Judith Edson, at an Apple Festival over 12 years ago. The cost was $20, which I was happy to pay for the 15 inch by 15 inch piece.

I had it framed in a simple gilt wood frame to coordinate with other artwork in the room.

The painting is titled "Blue Whale". The design is accomplished with a few strokes of the brush.

For many years it hung in the living room but when I painted the kitchen a blue green in 2005, I moved it to the breakfast area. (Sorry about the glare from the flash) By the way, the color of the mat is not such a close match for the paint color; that is just how the photo makes it appear.

Enjoy more Blue Monday at Sally’s blog, Smiling Sally.

Blue Monday – "Hosanna" Painting by Helen C. Read

Blue Monday is sponsored by Sally at Smiling Sally.

Yesterday was Palm Sunday, the day Jesus entered Jerusalem as the Son of David, riding on a donkey and hailed with branches of the palm tree.

Illinois artist Helen C.Read sent an email with a link to her web site where her latest paintings are shown. The email indicated. "I have posted apainting which depicts something about Palm Sunday, and I have plansthis week to post drawings and paintings that walk us through the significance of this special time of year. I hope you'll visit my blog and come back throughout the week. http://helenreads.blogspot.com/."

This sounds like a great opportunity to see art related to this Easter week. I hope that others will take time to visit her web site to see these special paintings and drawings.

Here is the painting for Palm Sunday, entitled "Hosanna."

Please click the link above so you can read her wonderful exposition about Jesus' ministry and about the Palm Sunday event and the days following.

Enjoy more Blue Monday at Sally’s blog, Smiling Sally.

Blue Monday – Floral Painting

Blue Monday is sponsored by Sally at Smiling Sally.

I have been really sick all weekend, so that my sister came and took our 90-year-old mother to her house, then went to get her 82-year-old sister from New York to look after her during the day. A year of no time-off from my caretaking duties has really taken its toll on my health. But, on to more pleasant things.... I’ve been hanging in there trying to get one or two posts done each week.

For today’s Blue Monday post I’d like to share an oil painting done by my sister in the 1970’s when living in California. The vase is blue and the background is gray with touches of blue and other hues. The flowers are sunny yellow and it’s all done in a take on impressionist style.




Since I enjoy blue, over the years this painting has been on the walls of various roome of my apartments and now first house – living room, dining room, bedroom and kitchen.
Enjoy more Blue Monday at Sally’s blog, Smiling Sally.

Friday Show and Tell – Thrifted Watercolor Painting

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

As I mentioned in a post last fall, I have quite a collection of pineapple themed items here at Oak Rise Cottage. The pineapple is a symbol of hospitality and I enjoy having family and friends over. Here is an original watercolor painting I bought for only fifty cents at a church yard sale back in the 1980’s. It measures 16" high by 20" wide.


The subject of the painting, two pineapples with a knife that has been used to split one of the pineapples in two, is very well executed by the artist.

I bought the painting unmatted. Soon after I was given a framed print by my sister, and I found that the 27" x 21" frame and mat was just right for my thrifted painting.

I was delighted, and placed it right over the table in the breakfast area in the kitchen of my apartment.

Thanks for stopping by and do visit more Show and Tell at Kelli’s house.