Leila

This is a little girl I met during my travels through Italy a few years back. I created some sketches of her and snapped some photos and have used both to create studies of her that I hope will help me work out a final painting of her...or maybe two or three. She was such a delightful, little girl. Her parents owned a restaurant on the Piazza in this small town...I think it might have been Montoni ?? She was so open and friendly towards the guests that stopped by, so free and uninhibited - enjoying the sweet life (La dolce vita!) - something we should all practice doing regularly....and it was apparent that she was the entertainment for many of the older folks that were congregated in the area. She was actually chasing bubbles but I also like the idea that she appears to be playing the game of avoiding stepping on the cracks (between the blocks of stone). Something so simple but so enjoyable for so many.

Anyway, a great place to visit....and as some of you that follow this blog know, I love to paint children; So this was especially enjoyable to paint and I look forward to painting variations on this as I work towards the final piece. This is a 5" x 7" oil on canvas and available for purchase.....$85 unframed, does not include shipping. You can reach me at rtist6162@aol.com if you are interested in providing a permanent home for this painting.

"Use the talents you possess, for the woods would be silent if no birds sang except the best". Henry Van Dyke

Thanks for stopping by,
Helen

Shadows Along Shoal Creek

This is a place I would like to be during these hot,humid days of summer, although today one can actually breathe outside...not too stifling. The shadows, golden colors, and coolness of the creek are just so inviting! Shoal Creek is by the town where my mom grew up, or at least part of her early years. When she was a little girl and inquired of her 'origins' her father would tell her that they found her under a rock on Shoal Creek.....couldn't fool her though.

It is intesting how just about anyone can relate to scenes like this. They are so common and typify special places that we all know....actual physical places that we all know but also somehow an emotional place that we all know. I like that connectedness that people have.

This is a 5" x 7" oil on canvas and it is available to a good home. It is $75- unframed. Shipping costs are seperate.
You can email me at rtist6162@aol.com if you are interested. I will be glad to bill you by Paypal if you like.

"One touch of nature makes the whole world kin". Shakespeare

Thanks for stopping by,
Helen

Sweet and Juicy

A quick,little 'painting a day' painting....some little models I had on hand. This is a 5" x 7" oil on canvas. Let me know if you are interested....rtist6162@aol.com.

"In life beauty perishes, but not in art". Leonardo da Vinci

Thanks for stopping by,

Helen

Sweepstakes

Okay,did someone say sweepstakes??? No, not for any of my art, as much as I would like to think that you might get excited about winning one of my paintings and immediately come to my blog just to see which lovely painting...and so on.
Anyway, I was flipping through my Dick Blick art materials catalogue that arrived in the mail last week. Lo and behold, out falls a postcard advertising Blick sweepstakes, and yes, you or I could win a car - a Scion xB (made by Toyota ???). You can either enter at a Dick Blick store or you can simply go to www.DICKBLICK.com. There is no purchase necessary. The last date to enter is September 30th.
I am telling you folks this as I would love to see one of my friends/followers/or anyone else win a car...how cool would that be! I assure you I won't expect a reward if you win because of reading my thoughtful blog :).
Anyway, this is a 5" x 7" oil on canvas painting of the Washington park lagoon - a local park, and a rather old one at that. Email me if you are interested - very reasonable....www.rtist6162@aol.com.

"It could be you".

Thanks for stopping by,
Helen

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