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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

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Are You a Groupie?

Helen, Violetta and Mary Rose "Our Island Welcomes You" a triptych one panel painted by each artist
The Art Gallery of Ontario, located in Toronto, received a visit from yours truly this week.

The building was re- designed  by world famous Canadian born architect, Frank Gehry and houses among it's 80,000 pieces, the artwork by the famous Canadian painters known as "The Group of Seven", whose paintings fetch millions at auction.
Lawren Harris Centre Street,Toronto
Franklin Carmichael, Autumn in Orillia
JEH MacDonald, Algoma Forest
Fred Varley, Stormy Weather Georgian Bay
A.J. Casson Winter on the Don
Arthur Lisner, A September Gale, Georgian Bay
AY Jackson, North Shore Lake Superior

The Groupies:
Housed at the AGO is the art work of Canada's famous  "Group of Seven"

The Group of Seven were a group of Canadian landscape painters in and around 1920, originally consisting of Franklin Carmichael, Lawren Harris, A.Y Jackson, Fran Johnston, Arthur Lismer, JEH MacDonald and Frederick Varley  Tom Thompson(died in 1917) ) and Emily Carr were also closely associated with the Group of Seven, though neither were ever official members. The Group of Seven is most famous for its paintings of the Canadian landscape, painted plein air. They travelled to remote areas of Canada to paint. Tom Thompson, a favourite died while out in his canoe, painting. His cause of death is unknown, some say he drowned, others believe he was killed. 
 
Tom Thompson
A Lawren Harris painting "Baffin's Bay" fetched $3,500,000. at auction recently.
You are heartily welcome, Helen Tilston
Beach trail on a sunny afternoon by Violetta
Boats at rest, Mary Rose
As many of you know, I am "a Groupie,  I belong to the three member group called the Plein Aire Cottage Artists, and, like the group of seven, we paint en plein aire.   In hindsight, we feel we should have picked an easier name, but were rushed to choose when Fox TV approached us and wanted to feature our art and cause in a short documentary. See below


Are you a Groupie?

41 comments:

  1. A lovely post dense with beauty, Helen.

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  2. Great art! I've seen some beautiful Emily Carr paintings in Vancouver. All fabulous! Also... didn't know Frank Gehry is Canadian.
    I, however, am a group of 1. ;)

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  3. Thank you for this interesting and beautiful post. I was really taken with the painting by JEH MacDonald, and have enjoyed Googling him and finding more! `It must be lovely for you to have two great friends to share your passion with - and what beautiful art you create!
    x

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  4. Hello Helen:
    Are we Groupies? Yes, we most certainly are!! We are the founder members, as it happens, of the Anglo-Hungarian Fan Club of 'Plein Aire Cottage Artists' which, believe us, is going to get so big as to knock all its rivals off the Richter Scale of Groupies and Fan Clubs the world over.

    Helen, what an amazing post this is. Your wonderful triptych, the amazing Frank Gehry building [and did we spot several Henry Moore works?], the Group of Seven and, if that was not enough, the Fox 13 interview. This is all so exciting.

    'Our Island Welcomes You' is sheer joy - so much light, colour, heat and energy and it is quite extraordinary how three totally separate and distinct artists have combined their work so very effectively to create a single whole.

    'The Group of Seven' reminds us so much of the Hungarian 'The Eight' who appear to have been so similar in so many ways but were at their peak a few years earlier, just before the outbreak of World War I.

    And, dear Helen, the Fox 13 interview reveals all three of you to be fighting such a good cause. Never, never, please, give up for all around we see the destruction of a past which is so often replaced with a grim present - in this instance the high rise blocks.

    Forgive us for we could go on and on - such a bore - but there is so much which could be said about this superb post. But, one day, just jump on an aeroplane to Hungary and then we can say it all to you [as we should so much love to do]. Happy Sunday.

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  5. Thanks for stopping by my blog... I am so impressed you work in encaustic... a gorgeous technique.. if dangerous!

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  6. Helen: come to my garden anytime, I can barely keep up with it!
    I'm a Frank Gehry groupie that's for sure, I love his work and really want to get over to the Bilbao museum some time.

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  7. Suze

    Thank you for your kind comment, I love your command of the English language and dense beauty says so much.
    Helen xx

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  8. Elizabeth Rose Stanton, hello
    Thank you for your kind commets. Emily Carr's work is superb with the towering redwood trees. Yes, Frank Gehry is Canadian and a hockey player and fan. He played hockey until quite recently and used rent a rink and play during his business meetings.
    Helen xx

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  9. Alix - Hello

    Thanks for visiting and your kind comments. I am so happy to hear that you are interested JEH MacDonald's work. It is curious how we are drawn to different members of the Group of 7.
    Tom Thompson has a museum in Owen Sound, Ontario which houses his tiny 9 x 12 paintings - all painted from his canoe, they are little gems and treasures and always give me goosebumps.
    Helen xx

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  10. Jane and Lance Good Afternoon
    Or should I address you as the Chairs and the founding members, as it happens, of the Anglo-Hungarian Fan Club of 'Plein Aire Cottage Artists' which, believe us, is going to get so big as to knock all its rivals off the Richter Scale of Groupies and Fan Clubs the world over. (I simply could not edit this and the flattery has gone straight to my head!)

    Be very careful in extending me an invitation to visit you in Budapest. I shall be dreaming of a way to make this visit happen and know what joy there will be in meeting you, face to face and as the young folks say "hanging out together". One thing we know is the conversation will be unending.

    You did indeed spot Henry Moore sculptures and the AGO houses the largest collection of Moore's sculptures. Outside the museum, is a wonderful Henry Moore and children and the young at heart all interact with it, by jumping on it and taking pictures. There is a patina from all the touching and play which further enhances the art.

    Thank you for your supporting compliments on our triptych and our mission to "save our cottages" at Indian Rocks Beach. The oldest cottage is just 100 yrs old, but it is the oldest cottage and must be preserved. We have made some progress in that residents are now going to City Hall and opposing variances when greedy developers want to develop a lot right to its boundaries.
    Working with Fox News was a joy, Lloyd Sowers is an absolute professional and has won many awards. We wanted to treat them to lunch but they refused as Fox has strict standards that they must not accept any gifts.
    Lance and Jance, you are such a delight and I have given you "tenure" as the Chairs of our fan club. All new branches of our fan club must apply to the Anglo Hungarian founding member(s)

    Helen xx

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  11. Hi Helen,

    Thank you for introducing me to the Group of Seven and Canadian painters!

    Happy sunday!

    Lieve groet, Madelief x

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  12. Helen I am so happy we met each other. I look forward to having much fun while learning lots.

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  13. hiya- a little comment from me...just to say hi really, and that I've enjoyed reading this post

    Have a lovely week and a lovely August
    xx

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  14. Hi Helen,
    Thanks so much for stopping by my blog. So nice of you to take the time to comment. I am your newest Welsh follower - do you have any others? I like to be different :-)

    I found A Super Dilettante's via the Hattatts, wonderful blog, and really felt his current mood. I am sure, or I hope it is just a passing mood. He seems such a good soul and I will keep checking in with him.

    Lovely to have made your acquaintance and I wil follow you with interest. Love your paintings.
    Dianne
    YONKS

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  15. I dont know a lot about art but i know what i like - your paintings are amazing - so much colour and vibrance - what a talent x

    http://fashionandfrank.blogspot.com/

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  16. Dearest Helen,
    thank you so much for all your kind comments! Yes, Salzburg is the Mozart-town and quite attractive for tourists :) We did have a great time during our holidays abroad and enjoyed all new impressions. Unfortunately in Budapest someone broke the window of our car and stole a laptop. But it made us think that we are happy people and that there might be persons who are less lucky and happy than we are... :)
    I like colours like you do and so I do love all the paintings you show in this post. We visited the Leopold Museum in Vienna (a special Art Deco-exhibition) and we´re overwhelmed by all beauty there. Do you like that period in art? My husband is quite ´mad´ about Art Deco and Art Nouveau, in art, architecture/design aso.
    Hope you are well, many greetings,
    Marjolijn

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  17. I think I AM! I know I love art and when I find a favorite artist, I'm a fan forever! Thanks for sharing the links! I'm enjoying your blog! ♥

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  18. HI HELEN! Or should I say "CIAO!" as I am writing from Italy! I love all the paintings. The last one, the Boats is kind of "Full of life"... very nice!

    I am doing a lot of Plein Aire, too, here in Italy: Plein Aire Eating, Plein Aire drinking (not too much of this, but I have a nice glass of Primitivo staring at me, as I write) and Plein Aire chatting, outside, in shops and anywhere I can, in my native Italian. Strange enough, as I am a standard Italian speaker, I sometimes feel like a foreigner as people speak to me in Cilentano (a kind of Neapolitan they speak here, as well as Italian)) and I reply in accentless standard Italian. Once a foreigner... Am I a groupie? Yes, I am gregaroius, but I like to choose my "companions."

    Anyway... I just wanted to say "Ciao!" I am lookin at Capri, as I write, there's so much sky, here, I feel like "swimming" and getting lost in it. And the oleanders smell so good...

    DO MISS YOU!

    ANNA

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  19. Hello Helen, This is just a short note. I'm en route, just dropping home overnight whilst traveling and I couldn't resist reading your post. I will return and follow the interview later but I just had to say how much I love your painting, The colours sing and I can smell the sunshine. Jane x

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  20. Wow Helen, you really are a mover and shaker! Congratulations on the marvellous work that you and your co-artist's do to save the cottages at Indian Rocks Beach. I really enjoyed the video and to hear you speak was just lovely, you have the Irish twinkle in your eye! I also loved the video of the Ontario Art Gallery, it was beautifully presented. I can't say that I am a groupie, I am not really a joiner, but I think I could be missing out! Lots of love to you, Linda x

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  21. Oh Helen, how lovely to see you 'in person', this was just wonderful! I'm so thrilled that your group of three recieved such well deserved recognition, and I love it's name...if needed, you could alwas shorten it to PACA, but only in extreme emergencies. Such a special thing you all are doing for Indian Rocks!
    xo J~

    btw- Love the Franklin Carmichael painting, and also loved learning about the seven.

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  22. lostpastremembered Hello and welcome

    I return the thanks to you for stopping by.

    Yes, encaustic has that element of danger to it that adds to the excitement.

    I am looking forward to knowing you and following your blog
    Helen xx

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  23. Bourbon&Pearls



    Hello Tabitha
    Be careful when inviting me, I would love to visit your garden.
    Gehry is an exciting architect. There are some great interviews with him on "Charlie Rose" PBS. You can go on the website and listen. I will be anxious to read your post on Bilboa when you visit.
    Helen xx

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  24. Hello Madelief

    So lovely to hear from you and thank you for the Sunday good wishes.
    I am happy you enjoyed reading about the group of 7 (Canadian artists)




    Lieve groet,Helen x x

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  25. Hello Toad

    A warm welcome to you.

    Your words are kind and warm and I love when you say we shall have fun and learn lots.
    That sums up friendshhips established in the blogsphere.

    Helen

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  26. Hello Ted and Bunny

    Thank you kindly for stopping and saying hello, always a joy to hear from you and thank you also for the beautiful wishes for the weekend and month of August. I return the wishes to you both
    Love
    Helen xx



    August 1,

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  27. To Yonks
    Dear Dianne
    Thank you so much for visiting me.
    You are my first Welsh follower and if I had gifts, I would bestow one on you, but for now it will be my kindest thoughts and wishes for you.

    I am going to head over to ASD to see how he is (he is special! and I have the softest spot for him and I hope he knows it)also for the Hattatts.

    I have seen your name and comments and now so happy to have met you.To lots of fun!
    Helen xx

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  28. Hi Helen,
    Thanks so much for stopping by my blog. So nice of you to take the time to comment. I am your newest Welsh follower - do you have any others? I like to be different :-)

    I found A Super Dilettante's via the Hattatts, wonderful blog, and really felt his current mood. I am sure, or I hope it is just a passing mood. He seems such a good soul and I will keep checking in with him.

    Lovely to have made your acquaintance and I wil follow you with interest. Love your paintings.
    Dianne
    YONKS


    Hello fashion and frank

    How kind of you to take the time to say hello. Thank you for your kind words and support of my artowrk.

    You are very much an artist in your style and fashion sense and choice of dog. To getting to know you more through your wonderful posts

    Fondly,
    Helen xx

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  29. To Something White

    Dearest Marjolijn
    I loved your pictures of Salzburg during you holiday. I am so sorry to hear your laptop was stolen. I simply love your attitude, when you say someone wanted it more (one time when plein aire painting we stopped and went to have lunch -when we returned a painting was gone and that was exactly what we said,"they must have needed it badly". We must not let such an experience mar the goodness of the trip. Thank you for complimenting my colour choice in painting.
    Now art deco, I do love, I studied it a little in interior design, but I am not as familiar as I would like.It is wonderful your husband is also artistic (mine too).
    Wishing you a great week and I cant wait to see more posts on your journey. Love,
    Helenxx

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  30. Hello Lavender Dreamer~

    Thank you for visiting and leaving a comment, I so love to hear from you.
    I can see from your blog you are artistic and have an appreciation for the finer things in life.

    Wishing you a joyous week
    Helen xx

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  31. Dearest Anna
    I am so delighted to hear from you all the way from beautiful Italy and to imagine you sipping Primitivo cocktails and looking at Capri in the distance (life is beautiful!!)Don't have too many primitivos!!!because we want to make sure you are not too gregarious! That is amusing how the locals talk in the Cilentano and when you don't respond in that tongue they probably say "inglaterro" or somthing like that!
    You had be laughing heartily when you said you were into plein air drinking and eating. That is so funny and thank you for the giggle.

    I wish I was in Italy right now.I absolutely love that country, kiss the ground for me!

    Helen xx

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  32. Jane The Booklady
    Hello Jane,
    Thank you so much for reading my post and commenting when you are in so busy.
    Your support and validation of my artwork means so much coming from you.
    Wishing you a beautiful week full of sunshine and joy
    Helen xx

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  33. Flowers on my Table
    Dearest Linda

    Lovely, as always to hear from you. As my father used say to me "a halter of snow would lead me anywhere" an old Irish saying I believe. Indian Rocks Beach is so beautiful and we felt so badly one time when we saw a bulldozer demolish a cottage in the early morning hours, before the inspectors were even awake. That set a fire under us. The cottage moaned and cried we felt. We feel it is important to stand up for our beliefs and the community has supported us.
    I think you do so well Linda on your own without joining group. I suppose your family is your group, your trilogy.

    Wishing you a joyous week
    Helen xx

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  34. Dear Helen,

    Ciao...We have a telescope outside, on the terrace. At night you can look at the moon and see it really close up. It's so beautiful! When you stand out there you feel like you're flying and running away with the wind and the clouds. I took photos of the most beautiful sunset ever... it felt like looking at old frescoes in church, when you were a child and rather than listen to the priest you found yourself "lost" in the deep white and turquoise of a painted sky, all over the ceiling.I love the sky, the sea, every plant and creature (except mice!) and the earth, here. So yes, I will kiss this blessed Land for you.
    I feel happy here, Helen...

    ANNA
    X

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  35. What gorgeous paintings - such vibrancy and glorious colour. Thank you so much for popping by my blog, Helen. It is a delight to return the compliment!

    And I love your group name - it's perfect!

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  36. Helen, what a delightful clip, and it was great to see yourself looking so elegant and full of conviction. I applaud your cause and dedication.

    The triptych is beautiful, and it shows how you three are so in harmony as to create distinct parts to make a cohesive whole. Well done, and much respect.

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  37. Anna - Hello Again

    I am laughing at your statement about looking at everything in church, except listening to the priest. So true and never mind when we started to laugh in church, a whole other story.

    Your place in Italy sounds idyllic and I am so happy to hear your love for your homeland.
    Ciao Bella
    xxx

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  38. Hello Jayne

    Thank you kindly for you generous comment on my art and your support.
    I am looking forward to knowing you through blogging.
    Fondly,
    Helenxx

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  39. Hello Mise
    Your validation of my artwork is precious to me.
    Triptychs are a personal challenge and it raises the bar and I feel I must do my utmost to compliment the two best artists I know, Mary Rose and Violetta who are so gifted.

    We have made some difference in that residents new attend Planning meetings at Indian Rocks Beach City Hall and oppose variances to building lots.
    Thanks again for commenting Mise
    Helen xx

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  40. Hello again Helen, I have just read your response to my last comment. Thankyou, I think you are right, my family is my 'group'.Lots of love Linda x

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  41. What a wonderful cause. Your warmth shines through your paintings. I am delighted to have met you. Thank you for your visits and kindness.

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