"Original Art Work is a tattoo for the brain and will not scar the body"
Helen Tilston
A rare and beautiful woman who takes the road less travelled.
Our most recent collector is 25 years old. She is tall, slender and stunningly beautiful. She is in the world of fashion. She confided that she is confident in her taste for design and paintings and has been visiting art galleries and museum from a very early age. She knows colour and the finite nuances of shade and values. She said she likes to build a relationship with the artist and wants to know the heart and personality behind the painting. Her late father advised her to be very careful in preserving her home and only invite those with a good spirit. Over tea, in my studio, she spotted this quote:
"Original Art Work is a tattoo for the brain and will not scar the body"
Helen Tilston (This quote hangs in my studio)
She shared that she is vehemently opposed to tattoos and finds them repulsive. She will not date a man who has a tattoo.
Was your taste this strongly formed when you were 25 yrs old?
Dear Helen - The delightful painting and your quote I both like and admire.
ReplyDeleteI believe that I had much stronger held views when I was younger. I had very definite do's and don'ts that I would abide by. It was the way that we were brought up.
However, as I have grown older I have surprised myself by becoming more flexible, and accepting. Everything is not black and white, our views and opinions have to change and adjust in order to live in an ever increasingly different world.
I would, however, be interested to know how those who have completely covered their bodies in tattoos will feel when they reach my age! But that question for me will never be answered.
Good Morning Rosemary,
DeleteThank you for your compliments. When I peak out my upstairs window, this is the view that greets me each morning. I love the strength, beliefs and determination of youth and how much there is to discover in one's twenties. The wisdom of my young client left me thinking that the world will be just fine with our next generation. Your thoughts are always logical and wise.
Helen xx
Across the Blackwater is a beautiful painting, Helen. Your new collector will delight in this piece. She certainly sounds like an intelligent as well as lovely young lady. I would say my taste was essentially formed by age 25, although it changes slightly over time. It is refreshing to hear of somebody this age who dislikes tattoos as much as I do; they are becoming much too popular, I believe. Have a nice week Helen. xx
ReplyDeleteHello Patricia
DeleteThanks for your compliment on "Across the Blackwater" It is a beautiful vista and of course changes daily with the Irish sky and water. It is also interesting to note that your taste was strongly formed at 25.
I must say I was surprised to hear her strong views on tattoos and she shared that she is not alone in this opinion, several of her friends are without markings.
Have a wonderful week
Helen xx
Even that tiny glimpse of your painting is a delight. I found myself a little envious of that wonderful young woman who was buying your paintings and sharing tea and good conversation with you. She sounds so interesting and so mature. I have changed as I have grown but my love for artists, writers and poets who capture small moments of happiness and beauty has stayed true over the years.Jane xx
ReplyDeleteHello Jane
DeleteI would love to sit and have a cup of tea with you also and I know we would have much in common. I will savour that lovely thought. She is interesting and has a maturity and originality that is special. A one of a kind. I agree with you on writers and poets who can still move me just as they did when I was in my teens. It is beautiful that I discovered that there was so many more wonderful artists ad I will never have time to read all. Have a wonderful day
Helenxx
Darling Helen,
ReplyDelete'Across the Blackwater' is a delightful painting. The simplicity of the subject is its great strength. The whitewashed house sitting in the rolling countryside with the sky as its ceiling and the sea as its garden is charmingly and skilfully executed. Your young collector has a very keen eye for the beautiful.
And, how reassuring it is that there are young people who appreciate art and wish to fill their homes with it. Yes, your work will leave a mark on her imagination every time she sees it, far more satisfying to the emotions as well as the body than any tattoos.
Dearest Jane and Lance
DeleteThank you for describing Across the Blackwater so artistically. The scene is one we view from our upstairs window, with a slight stretch of the neck, daily. The sunrises and often the scene is backlit with the most incredible skies which you are familiar with.
It is refreshing to meet one so young with such sophisticated taste and to hear her plans for life, decor and living.
Hope your week is special
Helenxx
Oh Helen, these mini art pieces have always been a favorite of mine. Being one with art I see something of grace and beauty in everyone's art be it a child or a famed artist. It's not so much the piece as much the effort to express ones passion behind there choices. I fit some sort of art into my life daily. This is why you fit so well into daily life.
ReplyDeleteI love the quote of yours and indeed they could be considered tattoos for the brain. My daughter and I have never caved to the impulses of tattoos, yet my son has filled his body with what he calls art. As for never dating a guy without tattoos is far and few these days....this goes for us ladies as well, it's hard to find a lady, teen, women without a tat here or there.
I rather see the tattoo on my brain then on my arm :)
Your beauty in mini as larger scale leaves one captivated In that moment.
Thank you beautiful for taking time to visit me.
My art pieces are sold in my etsy, more in the line of Cartapesta ( papier mâché )
And some altéring of paints and wood.
Where would we be without art....
Xx
Dore
A young girl interested in art, how optimistic and beautiful it sounds. How fortunate she is having the possibility to buy little pieces of art and meet their creators. Your painting looks magnificent despite its size. Talking about tattoos, it depends on how you can exaggerate or not.
ReplyDeleteHappy new week Helen,
Olympia
Hello Olympia,
DeleteShe is different and certainly walks her own path, which when she shared more with me is a beautiful one, with a definite plan and a strong will.
She is learned and worldly and has a curious mind. Her thoughts are .
original which is very refreshing.
Wishing you a week of joy dear Olympia
No, I was still a big scatter-brain when I was 25. I love that quote. It makes a lot of sense.
ReplyDeleteHello Loree
DeleteYou certainly have caught up Loree and if you were a self proclaimed scatter brain at 25, well I will conclude that you had a lot of fun.
Thanks for your validation of my quote. Helen xx
Beautiful painting, beautiful quote - lucky young collector!
ReplyDeleteI am surprised, so many years later, at how much I love the things I collected in my 20's. I'd have to say that I've expanded my interests and grown in many ways but the kernel of what I loved is unchanged.
You say it so beautifully when you say "the kernel of what I loved is unchanged".
DeleteShe is refreshing and original and I look forward to meeting her in the future.
Helen xx
Oh Helen at 25 I planned to win the Pulitzer Prize for reporting . . .anything, everything. I believed, or so I thought, that I had reached my pinnacle. . .and little did I know how the decades would grow and mold me into the woman I am today. I am glad that at 25 this young person is interested in art and in getting to know the artist. Wish I could live long enough to hear her thoughts at 60!
ReplyDeleteHello Jackie and Joel
DeleteI would not surrender that plan of obtaining a Pulitzer Prize for reporting. Life is still young and there are adventures to be had and exploring to be done. I admire your chutzpah in purchasing a home in Greece and starting a beautiful adventure.
Helen xx
I love that quote...really do not favor writing over our bodies! Your 25-yr old sounds mature for her age or perhaps I was immature for my age at 25. What a lucky individual to have one of your pieces of art. xx
ReplyDeleteHello my friend
DeleteIt is refreshing when one goes against the flow and I have tremendous admiration for one who stops and thinks for themselves and is unmoved by marketing and advertisements. It is not the easy route.
Hope your week is great. Pats to my two feline friends
Helen xx
A wonderful quote you wrote Helen.
ReplyDeleteI do not like tatoos. Some people cover their bodies.. it looks horrific.
Your client sounds a lovely young intelligent person, and with good taste too.
My mother, loved chinese art. I was influenced by it for some years during my 20's .I had some nice painting reproductions on my walls.
Then tastes and likes changed. Now and again, Manuel and me would by a little piece of art that we liked.. but nothing special.. I bought a few original african art paintings to give to my sister, many years ago.
I was pretty busy too at 25 with three children.
a lovely post.
val xx
Hello Valerie
DeleteWhat a huge responsibility for you to have three children by age 25. You have done a wonderful job in bringing up your children and I love reading of their accomplishments and loving gestures.
From your writing, I determined that your mother was a loving woman with exquisite taste and joy.
Hope your week is going very well
Helen xx
I love your quote Helen. I've never thought of painting in that way before. Ah, 25. I was pretty opinionated myself at 25 and was in the world of fashion & beauty business as well. Good for her, I admire strong women with spirit and conviction.
ReplyDeleteSam
Hello Sam,
DeleteThanks for your comment on my quote.
How interesting that your life paralleled that of my client and how you are creative and growing daily and sharing your talent with us readers.
have a great week
Helenx
First, your painting is beautiful - so charming! I'd love to have a bigger view. And the quote - just wonderful. Your young friend is wise. As for tattoos...not for me, but I don't mind a subtle one here or there.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
L
Hello Loi
DeleteThank you for your compliment. The Blackwater is a view we enjoy daily when in Ireland.
She is wise and unique and I am sure she would love visiting your unique store and blog.
Have a glorious week
Helen xx
Such a charming painting. I only wish I'd been as confident as that young lady--good for her!
ReplyDeleteHello Jen
DeleteShe is confident and a leader and I am assuming she was born this way.
She does have a keen eye and while she makes quick decisions, seems to have a photographic memory.
Have a great week
Helen xx
My dearest Helen,
ReplyDeleteYour painting "Across the Blackwater" is absolutely stunning and I could look at it and daydream for all day long.
Your quote is such a beautiful and poetic way to sum up about art and it is also most insightful. The words from Joni Mitchell's famous song resonate the same feeling and emotion:
"Songs are like tattoos
You know I've been to sea before.
Crown and anchor me.
Or let me sail away.
Hey Blue, here is a song for you.
Ink on a pin..."
With best wishes, ASD xx
Hello ASD
DeleteYour comment has given me goosebumps and how perfect is your quote from Joni Mitchell's song. I will be listening to Joni at day's end today.
She is another unique and extremely talented singer and writer.
Recently I heard June Tabor singing "Waiting for the Lark". It is hauntingly beautiful and her voice, like Joni Mitchell's, is an instrument and one does not need language to convey what they are transmitting.
Have a very special day
Helen xx
I really like the dimensions
ReplyDeleteThank you for your visit and wishing you a great day
DeleteHelen xx
Dear Helen,
ReplyDeleteHaving clicked on the image to get a better look, 'Across the Blackwater', captured in its seaside splendour, is the stuff of dreams, both the day and night kind, and I'm positive its peaceful and pretty essence is imprinted in your own mind, colouring your soul with serenity, and shading it with a longing to be among its shores, again.
Your collector is wise beyond her years; how refreshing to witness such appreciation for original art, in one so young! Both your painting and your gripping quotation speak creative truths.
Happy weekend, my friend!
xo
Poppy
Good Morning Poppy,
DeleteYour words relating to my painting "Across the Blackwater" are beautiful and I must try to live up to this as I continue to paint.
She is a wise young woman and has a confidence that is not arrogant.
The world will be just fine as the next generation takes over. There are free thinkers and I am grateful to have met one.
Have a great week. Hope Spring has arrived in Greece.
Helen xx
An interesting sounding woman and an interesting comment about Art. I am not sure I agree a hundred percent, although I suppose we do change over time..
ReplyDeleteHello Jenny,
DeleteShe is certainly interesting and original. She has a strong will which is refreshing as she is swimming against the current. I feel she has given her peers permission to walk alone.
Thanks for visiting
Helen x
Hello Helen, I love your painting and how you have framed it. The new owner is very fortunate. I would love to have been as confident at twenty five as she is. Much love to you, Linda x
ReplyDeleteThank you Linda. The Blackwater River changes daily and there is also wonderful light. We do not always bloom at the same time and the important lesson Linda is to bloom and never stop thinking for ourselves.
DeleteHave a delightful week
Helen xx
I find it a very nice work !
ReplyDeletedon't remember how I was at 25 :-) .... it was another life probably !
have a good evening, ciao
Hello Massimo
DeleteThank you for your compliment. I have no doubt you were seeing our beautiful work through a lens at 25 yrs old.
Thanks for stopping in and Ciao
Helen x
That quote is exquisite dearest Helen, and it is remarkable that a 25 year old would already know what she believes in...I was already married and on my way to forming even more of my values, but I fear that today, so many young people are adventurous to a fault; ruined lives are the result. I remember a quote that struck me once, but I can't remember the name of the author: "The folly of youth are the regrets of adulthood." I don't like tattoos and when I see them I often wonder, "Will this individual regret this later?" But the tattoo of art on the brain is invisible and everlasting in a great way, isn't it!
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU FOR VISITING! Anita
Hello Anita,
DeleteYou are in the midst of young people daily as your teach Anita and I value and respect your observations and opinion. You must see a wide range of individuals. It is refreshing when one finds a young person who walks alone and taken the alternative path. Sameness is frightfully boring.
I am looking forward to your new book at "the twilight of the year"
Helenx
Love the painting and great quote. It is a strong saying I think younger people see things more black and white when you get older I think you add lots off shades
ReplyDeleteA truly lovely painting, and your young friend sounds intriguing. As for tattoos, they are often interesting to look at and if well done can be very beautiful, but I've seen some that were beyond ugly and they are very hard to cover up, take off or re-do, hence my reluctance to get one. Your post about the woman in your shop in Toronto moved me to tears.
ReplyDeleteI love your painting and the way you've framed it, and the quote is very apt.
ReplyDeleteI for one do not like tattoo's. I think it's something to do with having grown-up in a city with an inland port, where, when we were small the only people to have tattoo's were the sailors you sometimes encountered about the town. They would often be rough and mouthy and I was most likely frightened. And growing-up just after the war you occasionally did see refugee's with those horrible numbers scarring their arms. Unfortunately all three of my children have graced their bodies with tattoo's,I don't like them but as one of your other comments mentions, our young people grew up in a very different world. I just think their lovely bodies don't need such inky illustrations!
Hugs,
Jane
Beautiful post, it make me think about that and art is the real food for our souls, this is something that can't be explained but is so true.
ReplyDeleteI haven't tattoos on by body but respect the right of other people to do what they feel is right and good for them.
Floor polishing Battersea