An award winning painter who paints in oil, en Plein aire. My purpose is to record life,on canvas, as it happens. To peacefully draw attention to changes to our beautiful world. All paintings are originals, no duplicates. Commissions welcomed.
E-mail: tilston188@yahoo.com
Artists who paints in oil en plein aire. Member of the three member Plein Aire Cottage Artists. Members: Mary Rose Holmes, Violetta Chandler and Helen Tilston
Mary Rose, Violetta and Helen Tlston paint Cornell Museum
Frequently we play music when we paint. The early stage of a painting, once the subject and sketch has been executed, demands exciting music and that which has a rhythm, energy and passion. The Dandling Song by Mary O'Hara was chosen as my art partners:-Mary Rose, Violetta and I when painting this triptych of Cornell Museum in Delray Beach, Florida. Once the canvas is covered and values established, it now is time to think more and paint less. Walk away, several feet from the painting then return and gently apply definite and planned brush strokes. Again keep stepping away and slowly dancing forward to apply the loaded brush. "Down by the Sally Gardens" composed by WB Yeats and sung by Maureen O'Hara fits this most important time, when the artist put her heart in her work. A favourite art instructor once said "pretend you are buying each brush stroke and it costs $100.00". Apply firmly with gentleness and love. Give it all you have got.
Violetta steps away and returns to apply finishing brushstrokes
Helen applies final brushstorkes
Mary Rose carefully applies finishing strokes
Mary O'Hara Sings to us, the Dandling Song and Sally Gardens
Were you dandled as a child or did your dandle your children?
Dear Helen - I imagine that you three girls have a great rapport with one another including lots of fun together as conveyed by your photos. Have no recollection so far back about being dandled, but I did sing to my sons and bounce them on my knee - now doubt the same experience did happened to me too.
I would bet you were dandled as a child. It is beautiful to observe a mother sing and dandle her child. You are right, we have a wonderful time painting together and of course all the fun afterwards too. Hope you week is very special
I had never heard of this song before but, upon hearing it here today, I can completely understand how it complements the subject and its colourful and lively surroundings! Ms. O'Hara's staccato soprano is light and whimsical and, I'm sure most inspiring as the final brush strokes show! Lovely...
There is indeed a tendency to keep to the beat of the music when painting. It is curious how certain pieces of music and song remind us of places we have painted. Hope you have a brilliant week
Hello. Welcome back. I've missed you. It sounds like you, Violetta, and Mary Rose are having a busy and productive summer painting away in the sun by the seaside. I love each painting in this triptych. The application of colour and brushwork in each painting is unique, vibrant and full of confidence, personality and character. The colour blue in your painting is so magnificent and sensuous that the whole composition comes alive like a celluloid story.
Mary O' Hara, my dear, we have so much in common. I adore her voice. I have a couple of her instrumental albums in which she plays her solo harp most elegantly. I would play her records when I have dinner parties at home. Yeat's Down by the sally garden has always been a personal favourite of mine. But I've never heard Miss O' Hara's rendition of this song. I've always associated this song with John McCormack's version (1941) because I first heard McCormack's version of this song before any others. Now, I've heard Miss O' Hara's version, I must say that I absolutely love it. The lovely sound of the harp adds the song more of a celtic feeling. She has the voice of crystal, pristine, clear meadow brook.
I thank you for the fond welcome. Oh thank you for your keen observations and encouragement on our art.
I felt you would know this music and yes John McCormack version of Down by the Sally Garden is superb. A friend of my father's used sing this song when he visited our home and his encore piece was The Last Rose of Summer. I did see Mary O'Hara in concert and she plays the harp beautifully. She may have not retired.
Beautiful artwork as usual. I don't know if I was dandled, but certainly dandled my daughter. I loved having her on my knee. I hope you are enjoying a lovely summer. Bonnie
Mary O'Hara 's sally gardens..brought me goospimbles.. What a wonderful musician..and singer. Very fit music to paint too Helen. You three ladies produce such interesting paintings and look so happy together. I have never heard the word dandling.. but I know my mother dandled me. She dandled my children and sang sweet lulubies to them.. one song in particular ..lula lula lula lula by by in your mummies arm's a sleeping.. that song has been sung to all my children and my children to their children.. A lovely post Helen. Happy Sunday val x
Glad you like Mary O'Hara's voice. She has a beautiful voice and plays the harp with ease. You mother must have been very affectionate and cheerful. Thanks for visiting Val and hope your week is special
Helen, I so look forward to your posts because you not only paint lovely scenes with your brush, but your words as well. This was another fine example of doing just that! Happy week ahead! xo Jackie
Why thank you very much for such a big compliment. You have made my day and particularly coming from an accomplished travel writer. Wishing you a joyful week
Dear Helen - Simply divine: the friendship you all share; the delightful music; and the lovely paintings! I hope you are having a wonderful, productive and relaxing summer. Please say hi to Mary Rose and Violetta from me :) xo Loi
Hello Loi Thank you for your visit and kind words and good wishes. I shall indeed convey your greeting to Mary Rose and Violetta. Wishing you the joys of summer
I definitely dandled my younger siblings, my children and now my grandchildren! It seems highly likely I was dandled myself... Sally Gardens is a favourite which I sing with my ladies choir; and now I will think of your beautiful paintings whenever we perform this beautiful song. You are having a wonderful summer painting together, and thank you for sharing it with us. xx
I would love to hear your choice sing Sally Garden. It must be so rewarding to be part of a choir. Thanks for visiting and your kind and generous compliments.
Dear Helen, you are a wonderful trio and I admire your talent, your passion and your great colorful paintings!Music must be very inspiring too like this lovely song that I had never heard before. Yes, I was dandled and I still dandle my 10 years daughter!We need all expressions of affection regardless of our age.Don't we? Wish you never loose your freshness Helen!
How sweet that your ten year old still likes to be dandled. Do we every grow tired of attention and dancing? I treasure the friendship and working relationship with my two art partners. I know it is rare as there is often rivalry amongst artists. Thanks for your good wishes Helenxx
Such lovely colors in all the paintings. Very uplifting! Dandle is definitely a new word to me but now that I know it, the answer is yes, I definitely was dandled as a child. These days, I dandle my dogs and cats.
Lovely work by you three lovely ladies! I remember being dandled by my grandfather as he whispered to me that I was his favourite!I remember that this made me giggle like crazy because he always laughed when he said it.
Wow! What a powerful paragraph! I never imagined such a connection with music in painting. So much of design is about stepping back and taking a look. I love the image of the cost of each brush stroke! Wonderful to hear from you!
Love your work, Helen! It's gorgeous I think music can totally set the tone and rhythm for a painting - it's fun to experiment with how different tunes and musical styles impact my work. Hope you are enjoying a lovely week! XO
Fantastic work and such wonderful colors on your paintings! I am impressed (like I have always been...) Music is art, painting is art - well the two go together and nourish one another! I have dandled my sons a lot - it was soul nourishing to them but also to me. I remember sitting on my dad's laps at the kitchen table he singing and dandling me. I think I wanted it till I was too heavy for him - just magic moments! Thank you for this post, Helen! YOu are not just a gifted painter but also a truly fantastic personality! Christa
Hello Helen, you are really having too much fun! I love the fact that you have music on while you paint. The paintings are all different and yet they are all so full of colour and life,just wonderful! Many thanks for stopping by. We had a wonderful time in Kerry, the weather was incredible, not one drop of rain, and the scenery was spectacular, and the people just so friendly and kind! Have a fantastic weekend, with much love, Linda x
Oh Helen, not being a "real artist" (as far as painting), I have never really paid much attention just details that I am finally noticing here....how you and your colleagues paint together, en pleine air, how you use MUSIC and then to see how YOU TOO apply the strokes to suggest LIGHT. Steve Cook's painting truly struck a chord in me this week, and NOW, I can pay more attention to how YOU AS WELL capture a light that speaks deeply to me. I love how you use music to create, and I've done that too, but since I spend more time writing than anything, I don't use music.
Thank you so much for coming to visit and leaving a comment. Have a wonderful day, en plein air! Anita
It's so cool that you three have so much fun together doing what you love. Your paintings always make me smile. I absolutely love how colorful the paintings are. Christa
I have my favorite songs that I listen to when I'm working on editing my photos (a process that can, sometimes, take an hour or so...) My favorite music is Irish, too... Anuna! It puts me right into the mode that I need to be in; so, I can well relate to what you're saying!!
I love your outfit! And, your work, Helen. This is a wonderful post, my friend. Keep doing exactly what inspires you and fulfills you.
ReplyDeleteHello Marsha
DeleteThank you kindly for commenting and encouragement.
Wishing you a week of joy
Helen xx
Dear Helen - I imagine that you three girls have a great rapport with one another including lots of fun together as conveyed by your photos.
ReplyDeleteHave no recollection so far back about being dandled, but I did sing to my sons and bounce them on my knee - now doubt the same experience did happened to me too.
Hello Rosemary
DeleteI would bet you were dandled as a child. It is beautiful to observe a mother sing and dandle her child.
You are right, we have a wonderful time painting together and of course all the fun afterwards too.
Hope you week is very special
Helen xx
Hello Helen,
ReplyDeleteI had never heard of this song before but, upon hearing it here today, I can completely understand how it complements the subject and its colourful and lively surroundings! Ms. O'Hara's staccato soprano is light and whimsical and, I'm sure most inspiring as the final brush strokes show! Lovely...
xx
Poppy
Hello Poppy
DeleteThere is indeed a tendency to keep to the beat of the music when painting. It is curious how certain pieces of music and song remind us of places we have painted.
Hope you have a brilliant week
Helenxx
My dearest Helen,
ReplyDeleteHello. Welcome back. I've missed you. It sounds like you, Violetta, and Mary Rose are having a busy and productive summer painting away in the sun by the seaside. I love each painting in this triptych. The application of colour and brushwork in each painting is unique, vibrant and full of confidence, personality and character. The colour blue in your painting is so magnificent and sensuous that the whole composition comes alive like a celluloid story.
Mary O' Hara, my dear, we have so much in common. I adore her voice. I have a couple of her instrumental albums in which she plays her solo harp most elegantly. I would play her records when I have dinner parties at home. Yeat's Down by the sally garden has always been a personal favourite of mine. But I've never heard Miss O' Hara's rendition of this song. I've always associated this song with John McCormack's version (1941) because I first heard McCormack's version of this song before any others. Now, I've heard Miss O' Hara's version, I must say that I absolutely love it. The lovely sound of the harp adds the song more of a celtic feeling. She has the voice of crystal, pristine, clear meadow brook.
Best wishes, ASD x
My dearest ASD
DeleteI thank you for the fond welcome. Oh thank you for your keen observations and encouragement on our art.
I felt you would know this music and yes John McCormack version of Down by the Sally Garden is superb. A friend of my father's used sing this song when he visited our home and his encore piece was The Last Rose of Summer.
I did see Mary O'Hara in concert and she plays the harp beautifully. She may have not retired.
Wishing you a joyful week.
Helen xx
What a delight it must be to work outside, be surrounded by beautiful scenery and music!
ReplyDeleteHappy week Helen!
Madelief x
Hello Madelief
DeleteIt would be lovely to visit your beautiful garden one day and paint and then have tea from your delicate china
Helen xx
Beautiful artwork as usual. I don't know if I was dandled, but certainly dandled my daughter. I loved having her on my knee. I hope you are enjoying a lovely summer. Bonnie
ReplyDeleteHello Bonnie
DeleteThis summer is great, lots of painting and friends visiting.
Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful week
Helen xx
Mary O'Hara 's sally gardens..brought me goospimbles.. What a wonderful musician..and singer.
ReplyDeleteVery fit music to paint too Helen.
You three ladies produce such interesting paintings and look so happy together.
I have never heard the word dandling.. but I know my mother dandled me. She dandled my children and sang sweet lulubies to them.. one song in particular ..lula lula lula lula by by in your mummies arm's a sleeping.. that song has been sung to all my children and my children to their children..
A lovely post Helen.
Happy Sunday
val x
Hello Valerie
DeleteGlad you like Mary O'Hara's voice. She has a beautiful voice and plays the harp with ease. You mother must have been very affectionate and cheerful. Thanks for visiting Val and hope your week is special
Helen xx
Such warm vibrant paintings! Dandle is a great word. I never use it but will try now to find a place for it now and then.
ReplyDeleteHello Jen
DeleteThanks for your compliment. It is a great word and not commonly used. Have a great week
Helenxx
Helen, I so look forward to your posts because you not only paint lovely scenes with your brush, but your words as well. This was another fine example of doing just that! Happy week ahead! xo Jackie
ReplyDeleteHello Jackie nd Joel
DeleteWhy thank you very much for such a big compliment. You have made my day and particularly coming from an accomplished travel writer.
Wishing you a joyful week
Helen xx
Dear Helen -
ReplyDeleteSimply divine: the friendship you all share; the delightful music; and the lovely paintings! I hope you are having a wonderful, productive and relaxing summer. Please say hi to Mary Rose and Violetta from me :)
xo Loi
Hello Loi
DeleteThank you for your visit and kind words and good wishes. I shall indeed convey your greeting to Mary Rose and Violetta.
Wishing you the joys of summer
Helen xx
I definitely dandled my younger siblings, my children and now my grandchildren! It seems highly likely I was dandled myself... Sally Gardens is a favourite which I sing with my ladies choir; and now I will think of your beautiful paintings whenever we perform this beautiful song. You are having a wonderful summer painting together, and thank you for sharing it with us. xx
ReplyDeleteHello Patricia
DeleteI would love to hear your choice sing Sally Garden. It must be so rewarding to be part of a choir. Thanks for visiting and your kind and generous compliments.
Have a glorious week
Helenxx
You all made great paintings. So colorful! Happy week to you, Helen!
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping in and for your welcome compliment.
DeleteWishing you a wonderful week too.
Helenxx
Dear Helen,
ReplyDeleteyou are a wonderful trio and I admire your talent, your passion and your great colorful paintings!Music must be very inspiring too like this lovely song that I had never heard before.
Yes, I was dandled and I still dandle my 10 years daughter!We need all expressions of affection regardless of our age.Don't we?
Wish you never loose your freshness Helen!
Hello Olympia
DeleteHow sweet that your ten year old still likes to be dandled. Do we every grow tired of attention and dancing?
I treasure the friendship and working relationship with my two art partners. I know it is rare as there is often rivalry amongst artists.
Thanks for your good wishes
Helenxx
Helen it is so wonderful to have both companionship plus great music while painting!
ReplyDeleteI think it shows in the vibrancy and flow of your art!
xoxo
Karena
2013 Designer Series and Giveaway!
Hello Karena
DeleteYour kind words and compliment touch my heart
Thank you and wishing you a joyful week
Helen xx
You three make a beautiful picture together, musical, colorful, and simply adorable. Thank you for the musical treats too. xxx
ReplyDeleteHello Mona
DeleteThanks for your kind words. I bet you have dandled your beautiful cats or will they allow you?
Helen xx
Such lovely colors in all the paintings. Very uplifting! Dandle is definitely a new word to me but now that I know it, the answer is yes, I definitely was dandled as a child. These days, I dandle my dogs and cats.
ReplyDeleteLovely work by you three lovely ladies! I remember being dandled by my grandfather as he whispered to me that I was his favourite!I remember that this made me giggle like crazy because he always laughed when he said it.
ReplyDeleteWow! What a powerful paragraph! I never imagined such a connection with music in painting. So much of design is about stepping back and taking a look. I love the image of the cost of each brush stroke! Wonderful to hear from you!
ReplyDeleteLove your work, Helen! It's gorgeous I think music can totally set the tone and rhythm for a painting - it's fun to experiment with how different tunes and musical styles impact my work. Hope you are enjoying a lovely week! XO
ReplyDeleteFantastic work and such wonderful colors on your paintings! I am impressed (like I have always been...) Music is art, painting is art - well the two go together and nourish one another! I have dandled my sons a lot - it was soul nourishing to them but also to me. I remember sitting on my dad's laps at the kitchen table he singing and dandling me. I think I wanted it till I was too heavy for him - just magic moments! Thank you for this post, Helen! YOu are not just a gifted painter but also a truly fantastic personality! Christa
ReplyDeleteHello Helen, you are really having too much fun! I love the fact that you have music on while you paint. The paintings are all different and yet they are all so full of colour and life,just wonderful!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for stopping by. We had a wonderful time in Kerry, the weather was incredible, not one drop of rain, and the scenery was spectacular, and the people just so friendly and kind!
Have a fantastic weekend, with much love, Linda x
Oh Helen, not being a "real artist" (as far as painting), I have never really paid much attention just details that I am finally noticing here....how you and your colleagues paint together, en pleine air, how you use MUSIC and then to see how YOU TOO apply the strokes to suggest LIGHT. Steve Cook's painting truly struck a chord in me this week, and NOW, I can pay more attention to how YOU AS WELL capture a light that speaks deeply to me. I love how you use music to create, and I've done that too, but since I spend more time writing than anything, I don't use music.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for coming to visit and leaving a comment. Have a wonderful day, en plein air! Anita
Looks like a fun event, I like your painting.
ReplyDeleteMusic really does put you in certain mind sets.
yvonne
It's so cool that you three have so much fun together doing what you love. Your paintings always make me smile. I absolutely love how colorful the paintings are.
ReplyDeleteChrista
How wonderful to paint alongside other talented artists! I love your art my friend and I'm always drawn to your paintings. Sweet hugs!
ReplyDeleteOh, how I love this pretty, pretty music!! =)
ReplyDeleteI have my favorite songs that I listen to when I'm working on editing my photos (a process that can, sometimes, take an hour or so...) My favorite music is Irish, too... Anuna! It puts me right into the mode that I need to be in; so, I can well relate to what you're saying!!
Smiles and appreciation to you, Helen!! =)
xxo