Argenta #1

'Argenta'....okay, so much for getting creative with titles :p. Sometimes it is better to be just straight out with it..."it is what it is" so to speak. I don't think a title is necessary, or at least not with this painting. You will take what you want from this. Most obvious is that it is a country road/farm road (on private property in this case....yes, I trespassed) that is so common, just about anywhere really. The trees and building are vague enough as to not really be location or time specific. Just an inviting country scene. One can almost feel the cool shadows while standing there looking down the road to the midday sun beating down. Pert near makes you wanna' run out for some lemonade, don't it! Hee hee :).


Back on a more serious note, I think the image is somewhat metaphorical as well. Looking down a road...maybe to a destination or not. The bright light beckoning beyond the shadows, and perhaps safety of the trees. Do I want to venture down there or not? What or Who is down there? Maybe I should head back? Who hasn't enjoyed such a spot at sometime or another? I find myself in such places quite often....and not always in a true physical sense. That might explain the vacant look I often have on my face :). I've followed a road somewhere. Is it speaking to your subconcious yet, your consious, your anything yet? 'Buy me, buy me..."

Well, in any case, I hope you enjoy the painting. It is a 5" x 7" oil on paper. Yes, on paper...paper that is made to take oils. It is available for purchase. Let me know if you would like to permanently gaze at this 'road less traveled'. Email me at rtist6162@aol.com.

"All Nature is but Art, unknown to thee; All Chance, Direction, which thou canst not see". Alexander Pope

Thanks for stopping by,
Helen

Early Evening Glow (West Beach)

A good Sunday evening to you all! This is a 5" x 7" oil on canvas of a trail at West Beach in the Indiana Dunes. It had such a lovely early evening glow - I wanted to capture some of that in a painting.....the fleeting, simple but glorious few moments. This is available and ready to go to a good home (or office, or.....?). You may contact me at rtist6162@aol.com.

"What is life? It is the flash of a firefly in the night. It is the breath of a buffalo in the wintertime. It is a little shadow which runs across the grass and loses itself in the sunset".
Crowfoot (Blackfoor orator and warrior)

Thanks for stopping by,
Helen

Evening at Central Beach

Was back up at the Dunes recently...camped in the Dunewood campground at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. I love that area and just being on the lake. Lake Michigan is pretty magnificent. I could stay at the beach all day, just painting, reading, daydreaming, snoozing, studying the clouds.

The campground is nice as well. As much as I like camping I had not stayed in that particular campground when I have been up at the Dunes....it is a really beautiful....plenty of sites(both drive-in and walk-in), clean bathrooms, private spaces,etc...Because of all the damp weather in June, the mosquitos were pretty bad but we survived!

When I was here in 2004 it was as an artist-in-residence through the National Parks residency program. It was a great experience. They put me up in a house right on Lake Michigan...at the end of a road up on a dune...2 decks, sliding glass doors on 2 sides of the house. It was a short walk to Central Beach. Unfortunately, that house is not used any longer. They still have the residency program but they put artists in a house elsewhere in the park. I think it is worth pursuing for any of you who might be entertaining the idea of applying (artists,musicians,writers...) It is a great opportunity...sales, networking, quiet respite for creating.....I have been back a couple of times since then and look forward to returning.

Anyway, this is a 5" x 7" study in oil. It is available for purchase, I do have a Paypal account if that is convenient for you...if you are interested please email me at rtist6162@aol.com. Feel free to contact me as well if you have any questions about the artist-in-residence program. I hava also done a residency at Hot Springs National Park...another great park.

"For money you can have everyhing it is said. No, that is not true. You can buy food, but not apptetite; medicine, but not health; soft beds, but not sleep; knowledge, but not intelligence; glitter, but not comfort; fun, but not pleasure; acquaintances, but not friendship; servants, but not faithfulness; grey hair, but not honor; quiet days, but not peace; The shell of all things you can get for money. But not the kernel. That cannot be had for money". Ame Garborg, writer

Thanks for stopping by, Helen

New Harmony #3

Okay, so much for creative titles, huh? This is another one of the many old houses that caught my eye in New Harmony, IN......more on New Harmony later.

This is an 8" x 10" oil on linen panel. It is available for anyone who is interested. You can contact me at rtist6162@aol.com.

"Happiness and love are just a choice away". Leo Buscaglia

Thanks for stopping by,

Helen