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| Plein Aire Cottage Artists Helen, Violetta and Mary Rose with Organizer Extraordinaire: Sue Murbach |
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| Artists: Violetta, Mary Rose and Helen - Donated Triptych "Let's Sail Away" |
Clearwater Free Clinic serves the uninsured in our area.
Martini's + Matisse Gala is am much anticipated soiree.
This year, was a sold out event and attended by some 800 guests. All primarly in the medical profession. More than one hundred artists donate a piece of art, which is carefully juried. The inaugural event, some years ago, showcased " Featured Artist" Sophie Matisse, the great grand daughter of French painter Henri Matisse.
Sophie's abstract painting was in high demand that evening.
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| Artists: Mary Rose Holmes, Helen Tilston and Sophie Matisse | | |
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Each year we have donated paintings to this worthy event. Last year the organizers selected the three of us as "Featured Artists".(Plein Aire Cottage Artists) This prestigious honour we graciously accepted.
Last evening Martini's + Matisse 2012 commenced at 6.00 p.m with the Sponsor's Cocktail Party and introductions.
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| Happiness everywhere |
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| Incredible caterers, En Garde |
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| Glowing table and guitarist singer songwriter Will Cooper |
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| Mary Rose Holmes, Dwight Holmes and Mike Tilston |
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| Bonefish delicious shrimp dish |
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| Beautiful guests |
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| Guests |
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| Martini Bar and master martini shakers from Bonefish Grill |
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| Famous Chef Scott from Guppy's Restaurant and his helpers |
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| Guests | |
The Artists donate their paintings. The Event costs $150. per person. Three tickets are given and one can choose to put all their tickets in a giant martini glass located beside each painting. At 9.15 p.m. the draw takes place at each painting. To be eligible for the "Featured Artist" painting, patrons must purchase tickets at $50 per ticket. We were thrilled to see our "Giant Martini Glass" was full to capacity. The winner of "Let's Sail Away" triptych was: Dr. Kimberly Quick.
The evening went all too quickly and we finished in the courtyard with coffee, desert and cigars.
Plein Aire Cottage Artists Mary Rose and Violetta :
How was your weekend?
Classy soiree! Matisse...how I love his paintings!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a glamorous event...how fabulous!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a lovely evening for all. Sounds like a very worthy cause. And, what a fortunate recipient of one of your pieces.
ReplyDeleteHello Becky
ReplyDeleteIt was indeed a very classy soiree.
Yes Henri Matisse's art always excites.
Hope you have a wonderful week
Helen xx
Hello Jacqueline
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping in. It was a wonderful evening. My feet ache and and my sides are sore from laughing.
Hope your week is terrific
Helen xx
Hello Bonnie
ReplyDeleteWe had an absolute ball and yes it is indeed a worthy cause. Dr. Quick was spotted visiting the painting throughout the evening and sighing.
To a great week
Helen xx
What a wonderful event for a great cause!
ReplyDeleteHello Jen
ReplyDeleteThank you for our visit and comment.
You are right it is a great and necessary event.
Helenxx
Hello Helen
ReplyDeleteWhat a splendid soiree indeed! And for such a good cause too.
How lovely to see pictures of you and your fellow artists looking so glamorous for the occasion.
I am not surprised your giant martini glass was filled. Dr. Kimberly Quick must have been absolutely delighted with her painting.
I attended a Burns night event on Saturday evening. Haggis for supper, followed by Scottish dancing. It was great fun!
Hugs, Abby and Spotty xx
What a great evening it looks and for such a good cause (some of us here in the UK don't know how lucky we are). Must have been great to see your martini glass full to the brim!
ReplyDeletex
My Spotty Pony
ReplyDeleteDearest Abby
It was a most memorable evening and like so many events it is the hard work of many which make it a success.
Thanks for your comments on our trip tych. Dr. Quick is very, very happy and has just the place in her home for it. There is an added joy in knowing who has the painting.
Your evening sounds marvelous. I love Scottish dancing and have yet to taste haggis, which I hope to some day. I hope you post on it.
Have a delightful week, pats to Spotty Pony
Helen xx
Alix
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words.
We had a fabulous evening and like you said for such an important cause.
We were thrilled to see our painting in such demand. One never knows at such events. We are very grateful
Thanks for stopping by and have a great week
Helen xx
Hi Helen, my weekend was very dull in comparison to yours! Looks like a great event. Do you hope to get some work from it? Have a wonderful week and perhaps a little rest! Love Linda x
ReplyDeleteFlowers on my Table
ReplyDeleteHello Linda
It was a great event and lots of fun.
I hope you have a great week.
In donating our painting, our motive was and is to make a difference in the lives of those in need. We support several local charities and our expectation is always that we were there to help those in need, in our small way.
Looking forward to your next post
Helen xx
Dear Helen,
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic Gala! How lucky you are, being able to mix with interesting people! I wish I could have been there, to meet all of you artists and Matisse's relative, as I love his paintings, the bright colours so cleverly coupled with dark tones, and have used one of his beautiful paintings: "The Open Window" as a back ground to a poem I wrote about my mother and how she taught us how to love and appreciate beautiful and good things in life (It's intitled "La Finestra Aperta"- The open Window)
I had a normal weekend, Helen... nothing exciting, really, but I do wish I could have gone to your Gala soiree. It looks like my kind of thing. I could have talked all night! Fantastic!
And... very well done, by the way!
Baci
ANNA
XX
Hello again Helen, I have to say you are a very glamourous bunch of artists!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for your visit and lovely comments, sorry I made you a little peckish! Much love, Linda x
Hello Anna
ReplyDeleteYou would have been a welcome addition to the Soiree. I think all who were present were there for a good time and the food and venue was so spectacular.
I would love to read your poem La Finestra Aperta.
It feels special to dress up and attend a function such as this.
I hope you find such an occasion soon.
Helen xx
Flowers on my table
ReplyDeleteHello Linda
Funny you should say you are stylish artists. All three us worked in and designed fashion. All three of us worked in or have interior design credentials. Now we paint but our love for fashion does not fade and neither does interior design.
Those eggs in your post have me drooling.
Wishing you a delightful week
Helen xx
hello Helen:
ReplyDeleteThis looks like the absolute perfect party. Delicious food, glamorous guests, and everyone enjoying the most enormous fun. What could be better?!!
How wonderful that your paintings attracted such a lot of interest. It is so satisfying to know that your work will be appreciated by someone and that you have also contributed to the support of a good cause. You girls certainly mix in high places these days!!!
WHAT A BLAST, HELEN!!! And I so love being around ARTISTS! WE are a fun lot, aren't we?
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU FOR VISITING! I am swamped, but you all are my wonderful friends and I am so glad to have you all in my life! BLESSINGS! Anita
Helen, this looks all around like a huge success! Wonderful!
ReplyDeleteHow glamorous to have such great guests!
xoox
Thanks for stopping by!
Victoria
You can really tell everyone is having a wonderful time Helen...especially you!!! What a great event to be a part of and to look forward to every year!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your lovely evening with us.
xo J~
It sounds like a lovely evening and for such a good cause!
ReplyDeleteWishing you a delightful week
Oh WOW Helen,
ReplyDeleteIt looks as if it was one wonderful evening. Everyone dressed up, delicious food and drink and Matisse and all for a good cause.
My friend, who is a potter, went to see the David Hockney exhibition 'A Bigger Picture', at the Royal Academy and she was amazed by it. We are going to try and get tickets.
Thanks so much for your comments. I'm so sorry that I've missed some of your posts.....we seem to have been rather busy helping our children move, decorate and babysit !! XXXX
Jane & Lance Hattatt
ReplyDeleteSadly, evenings like this are no longer very popular and it seems like everyone wants to be invited. Perhaps we shall see a return of the cocktail party in all its glory and glamour.
Thank you for your kindness and support of our work.
We had a glorious evening and now from the bright lights back to the streets and the easel.
Wishing you a week of joy
Helen xx
Castles Crowns and Cottages
ReplyDeleteDearest Anita
I know you would have been right at home with us at Martini's + Matisse.
Yes, I agree artists are great fun.
You rightfully and well deserve all your wonderful followers. Your blog is always a joy.
We are blessed with such friendship.
Helen xx
Victoria Art
ReplyDeleteHello Victoria
It was a most memorable evening and we cherish such events. Everyone was in their best mood and "the party happened" as the saying goes.
Thanks for visiting
Helen xx
What a divine weekend you had dahhling! Your event sounds FAB & congrats on the success.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a wonderful evening!
ReplyDeleteamazing... xx
ReplyDeleteDear Helen,
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful grand affair.. It all sounds so impresive and looks it too..
Such a worthy cause.
What joy to be with Matisse's grandaughter Sophie...
great photos of the party and of "The plaine air cottage artists.."
best wishes
val
24 Corners
ReplyDeleteI cannot lie, I did have the best time and the evening was most memorable.
Thank you for your kind comments
Helen xx
Linda (a day full of)
ReplyDeleteHello Linda
Clearwater Free Clinic do marvelous work and there are tireless volunteers who all make it happen.
It felt good to be a small part of this big programme
Thaks for stopping by
Helen xxx
Jacqueline @ HOME
ReplyDeleteHello Jacqueline
I thank you for stopping in and commenting. I realize how busy you are with your children moving.
The David Hockley exhibition sounds mighty interesting and if you attend I hope you post on it
It as a wonderful time on Saturday and lovely to be part of a formal gathering, where everyone was in their finest.
Have a great weekend
Helen xx
HRH The Duchess of State
ReplyDeleteYou would have loved every moment of the Soiree. Lots of enthusiastic joyful people and good stories too.
Hope you have a delightful weekend
Helen xx
Pamela Terry and Edward
ReplyDeleteHello Pamela
It indeed was an evening to remember.
Fun people and a wothwhile cause.
Helen xx
Red Ticking
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment.
Wishing you a great weekend
Helen xx
Val's alentejo blog
ReplyDeleteHello Valerie
You would have loved the evening, art, music and great food. Also the fashions were interesting
Have a delightful weekend
Helenxx
I have a challenge for you... if you want to!
ReplyDeleteHave a great evening!
Hug
J'adore M. Matisse and dirty martinis on the rocks. I wish I had been there.
ReplyDeleteV
Helen! What an incredible event! I wish that I could have been there to raise a glass to your artistic talent.
ReplyDeleteBises,
Genie
Helen,
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting 34th street this week. I have been meaning to leave a comment. I seem to get very wordy when I visit you, as you are so inspiring.
I had missed work due to snow, so my work days have long while making up the missed time. I am very behind on my blog visits.
Thank you for mentioning Anam Cara.
I am always looking for a special read for my father.
Your paintings are beautiful, and your event was filled with elegance and charm! I love the theme and the fabulous spirit that filled the room.
What a circle of joy and beauty!
(I totally dig the photograph with the cigars!)
~Lynne
[w/L]
Maria
ReplyDeleteI thank you for commenting and I shall be emailing you.
My best wishes
Helen xx
Hello Virginia
ReplyDeleteYou definitely could have found a dirty martini on the rocks and even a delectable amuse bouche to accompany it.
Wishing you a great weekend
Helen xx
Genie - Paris and Beyond
ReplyDeleteHow kind of you to extend such a heartfelt greeting.
One day lets hope to meet and raise a glass to all our successes.
Meantime, have a beautiful weekend
Helen xx
Dreams on 34th Street
ReplyDeleteHello Lynne
Thank you for stopping in and your kind wishes are appreciated, when you have time.
I believe your father will enjoy the writing of John O Donohue (who is fairly prolific
Wishing you skies of blue
Helenxx
Wow..now THAT was a meetup!
ReplyDeleteAuntie Bliss
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment. It certainly was thrilling to meet Sophie Matisse.
My best for a delightful week
Helen xx
What a fabulous event!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for visiting and joining me. I am a follower and I look forward to seeing and hearing more on your beautiful blog.
xo
Hello Michelle
ReplyDeleteA big warm welcome to my blog. Thank you for following and taking time to comment. It was a fabulous event and went all too quickly.
Have a delightful week
Helen xx
WHOAH! Looks awesome and it seems like everyone had a marvelous time! Very happy for you!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderfully fun! What a glittering evening! Congratulations on what sounds like an outer success with much inner satisfaction and joy.
ReplyDeleteand, there's a fun coincidence, here. Not being trained in art - only exposed, I would only be able recognize Matisse and be able to identify some of his famous paintings - what era - place - general gist of his 'movement' but, like I said, I'm not an, er..., 'official' artist. I'm learning!=] Last night, I came across 'Le Bonheur' and started reading all about it. That led to an immersion, this very morning in a long article about him and Picasso, which led to the most delightful hour of gorging myself on his thoughts and quotes. I'm quite stuffed and a bit giddy/dizzy from it all. =] It ended with a blog post in my photo journal with a couple of his quotes.
Hm! =D
Wow Helen! This looks very fancy and you look very beautiful! This is wonderful of you and so necessary! Helping makes one happy! Have a great day! Christa
ReplyDeleteRabbit Town Animator
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind wishes and support.
Wishing you a great week
Helen xx
Kathy Noelle
ReplyDeleteA big hearty and warm welcome to you Kathy and thank you for following.
How wonderful that you receive such joy from reading about art. I totally agree and know very well how you feel. It is good to be alive type of feeling. I am heading over to your blog to read your thoughts.
Many, many thanks for stopping by and again, I will look forward to knowing you and your blog.
Helen xx