PLEIN AIRE COTTAGE ARTISTS AND THE ULTIMATE LIFETIME HONOUR

Twenty seven years ago at Indian Rocks Beach, Florida three painters who loved to paint outdoors, en plein aire, met and their friendship began. Violetta Chandler, Mary Rose Holmes and Helen Tilston were captivated by the beauty of the old fashioned seaside town of Indian Rocks Beach. They took their French easels to the streets and painted the historical cottages, where many were being demolished, without thought and modern huge homes were being installed in all the space provided and no regard for flora nor fauna. To quote Mary Rose Holmes "If you smash a tree one can plant another but if you smash/demolish a cottage it is gone forever" "We painted canvases both vertically and horizontially and even trip tychs" said Violetta Chandler. "Many homes catch our attention but special homes capture our heart" as said by Helen Tilston. Florida Trust For Historic Preservation honoured The Plein Aire Cottage Artists with an Achievement Award in 2006. This award is the first to artists and is reserved for planners, architects and designers. Tilston, Holmes and Chandler received an invitation to exhibit their art at the State Capital (when Gov Jeb Bush was in office). In 2006 while painting in Tuscany, the artists were invited to exhibit at the juried invitational Florience Biennale. A lifetime invitation has been extended to The Plein Aire Cottage Artists to exhibit. Each year The Plein Aire Cottage Artists annual art show at Indian Rocks Beach is an event not to be missed. All paintings are. one of a kind, painted en plein aire. We do no reproductions of our work. The energy and love of the oil painting contains the love of Mary Rose, Violetta and Helen. It is a living piece and when it goes to your possession then a part of your DNA is in the painting. (not so with reproductions) Violetta Chandler, Mary Rose Holmes and Helen Tilston aka The Plein Aire Cottage Artists have been granted the ultimate honour and The City of Indian Rocks Beach are installing 27 large replicas of our paintings throughout the City of Indian Rocks Beach. These paintings are being installed in the exact spot they were painted or close by. 18 of these paintings are currently installed for viewing with the remaining being installed as I write. We thank the major museums, directors and City of Saint Petersburg and Tampa for recognizing and honouring The Plein Aire Cottage Artists with this enormous honour. To our knowledge only one group of artists have been bestowed and that being The Fauv Movement in Collioure France, where the paintings of Mattisse and the Faux movement are permanently displayed. A big thank you to all of you for continued support and to our collectors who pay us the ultimate honour by displaying our original oil painting in your home. We are eternally grateful...

Where to find our Paintings and our latest work

Plein Aire Cottage Artists painting at IRB- Helen Tilston and Mary Rose Holmes.

 We are thrilled to hear our short documentary is now trending on PBS in various cities throughout the USA.   Should you have missed it, here is the link.

Cause" aired on PBS/WEDU. https://www.pbs.org/video/plein-aire-cottage-artists-hcgnmf/

This 7 minute documentary was filmed entirely at Indian Rocks Beach Florida.   This old fashioned seaside town is where the award winning three member Plein Aire Cottage Artists (Mary Rose Holmes, Violetta and Helen Tilston) have been painting, en plein aire for the past twenty three years.  All our paintings are one of a kind, originals, painted in oil, en plein aire.

Mary Rose Holmes painting during filming of Canvas with a Cause Documentary, 

We have just fund a new art show of our latest paintings at Seabreeze Island Grill, Redington Shores, Florida.  We hope you visit. This venue shows our work in dappled sunlight from the intercostal water and the scent if jasmine wafts through the area.

Helen Tilston chasing her umbrella during painting and filming of Canvas with a Cause at Indian Rocks Beach Florida..

  

For more information on other venues for our work, please contact me: tilston188@yahoo.com

Here is the link from Fox News Tampa Bay 6 o'clock news Tuesday, January 31, 2023.: https://www.fox13news.com/.../plein-aire-cottage-artists...

Giving Back Is Important to The Plein Aire Cottage Artists

Mary Rose Holmes Painting "Welcome to Paradise" en plein air.

 

Mary Rose Holmes, award winning Indian Rocks Beach artist, featured in Canvas with a Cause documentary -PBS. https://video.wedu.org/video/episode-917-coierw/

and Save Our Cottages Artists with a Cause PBS/Film Festivals.

https://creativeonmainstreet.com/save-our-cottages

has generously donated "Welcome To Another Day in Paradise" which will be auctioned at Octoberfest on October 23rd. 2021 12.00 - 6-00 pm. Entire proceeds from painting will benefit Indian Rocks Beach Action 2000. Who wants to have this original oil painting hanging in their favourite room? Enquiries Mary Rose Holmes 813.294.2272 or email: tilston188@yahoo.com

Thank you Mary Rose Holmes for your generosity.

 

Helen Tilston PAINTING AT Dunmore East, IRELAND.

The long Summer day begins, here in Ireland, a 5.00 am when the birds warm up their voices.   Dusk happens long after 10.00 pm.  This makes for delightful days with long shadows and dappled light and long hours painting outdoors.  Sheer bliss for me.

A morning tea break with friend @ Youghal, County Cork.

An invitation to join a friend for a morning cuppa.   Then back to the easel.

Helen Tilston PAINTING EN PLEIN AIRE AT YOUGHAL.

Lunch at Ballymaloe, County Cork where a robin joins me at table

I have completed several commissioned pieces and I am full of gratitude to all who support me and pay me the ultimate honour by having a painting of mine hang in their home.  Please contact me at:  tilston188@yahoo.com. (that is Tilston one eighty eight)

Canvas with a Cause documentary has aired on WEDU/PBS and should you have missed this short documentary please view here :

https://video.wedu.org/video/episode-917-coierw/

Continued joy and stay safe my friends

Giving Back Martini + Matisse

Mary Rose Holmes, Helen Tilston, Anne Sophie Matisse.

 Each year I donate a painting to what I consider a great cause.   The Event is called Martini + Matisse and the Gala takes place each January.   This fundraiser benefits Clearwater Free Clinic in Clearwater, Florida, which provides health care to those in need.

When the Clinic approached me some 15 years ago and asked for a donation of one of my paintings, I agreed.  The featured artist then was Anne Sophie Matisse, great grand daughter of Henri Matisse who flew in from Europe to attend the Event.   

Five years later we were the featured artist (my art partners, Mary Rose Holmes, Violetta and me).  

This year, during lockdown in Ireland, I painted this scene at our local beach.  "A Mother's Love" is winging her way across the Atlantic to be in Florida in time or the Martini and Matisse gala event in January.   

A Mother's Love, original oil by Helen Tilston

I take this opportunity to wish each of you my dear followers a very Happy Christmas and keep blogging.

NEW PAINTINGS

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CANVAS WITH A CAUSE

 

Artists Tilston and Holmes during filming of Canvas with a cause

We are delighted to share with you our short documentary, approximately 8 minutes which aired on WEDU/PBS Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota on Thursday September 17, 2020 at 8.00 p.m.

For our world wide friends, here is the link to Canvas with a Cause.  In a nutshell it shows the beautiful old fashioned seaside city (more akin to a small town) of Indian Rocks Beach.  This spectacular old fashioned town is on a barrier island and retains old world charm.  Two artists Mary Rose and Helen Tilston, through their art, have brought attention to this beautiful town and some say stopped the tearing down of historic cottages.  We feel it was the residents and visitors who joined in and objected to mass wall to wall high-rise condominiums.

https://video.wedu.org/video/episode-917-coierw/

For information on art work:  E-mail: tilston188@yahoo.com

Phone: USA. 813.294.2272 (Mary Rose)

CANVAS WITH A CAUSE https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PnQzJvwO1F8/XykXWCBYdsI/AAAAAAAAFy8/M7U9R14KHikROhL3K1EK3wqp74186gzHQCLcBGAsYHQ/s3888/IMG_6544.JPG

Hello Friends,  How are all of you keeping during this changed time?      I departed Florida on March 7th for Ireland, following the final filming of 'CANVAS WITH A CAUSE"     I was cautious and a little nervous, as my connection took me through Kennedy Airport in New York.     Upon returning to Ireland we, like everyone else, went into lockdown. I wish there was a better word than lockdown, as it is too bossy for my liking.  

Canvas with a Cause is a documentary featuring two artists Mary Rose Holmes and Helen Tilston, two long time residents of Indian Rocks Beach, Florida and their journey as plain aire artists in the past twenty or so years.  They paint in oil, all original paintings, en plein aire, and no copies are made of our work. When the painting is sold it is gone with all the energy and memories in her creation and the new owner's energy now takes over with the painting.    Someone commented: "Your paintings are like your babies; all with unique character and distinguished"   Documentary film maker Roxanne Mannello, a final year student in Film-Making at St. Petersburg College and WEDU (Public TV/Radio, Florida).   Working with Roxanne was energizing, enlightening and always going that extra few steps to get the best image.  

Wayne David Atherholt, Director of Culture, Mayor's Office, City of St. Petersburg pictured below shares his knowledge of art in 'Canvas with a Cause" documentary.  The triptych"Welcome to Indian Rocks Beach" behind Wayne was created  (by Mary Rose Holmes and Helen Tilston) during the documentary. It awaits a new home.

Mary Rose Holmes and Helen Tilston painting at Indian Rocks Beach during filming of "Canvas with a Cause"

Helen Tilston Painting one panel of Triptych "Welcome to Indian Rocks Beach" as featured in Canvas with a Cause documentary.

Our beautiful and talented cinematographer and film maker Roxanne Mannello filming Mary Rose Holmes painting at Indian Rocks Beach.

Canvas with a Cause is completed and we look forward to a Fall showing on WEDU and, fingers crossed, PBS

I checked my yarn supply and found this beautiful biscuit colour yarn in 100% linen. It matched my hat purchased in Provence last year, so a simple design I concocted and it soothes my soul on long summer evenings and I say good-night to my studio.

GOOD NEWS "CANVAS WITH A CAUSE" A NEW DOCUMENTARY

HELEN TILSTON PAINTER 

MARY ROSE HOLMES PAINTER

WE ARE DELIGTED TO SHARE OUR UPCOMING GOOD NEWS.

"CANVAS WITH A CAUSE" SOON TO BE RELEASED

KEEP IN TOUCH WITH THIS PAGE FOR MORE GOOD NEWS AND DETAILS.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Artist/Plein-Aire-Cottage-Artists-152423002121850/

Save Our Cottages; Artists with a cause documentary

Plein Aire Cottage Artists 3 Members/3 friends Helen Tilston, Mary Rose Holmes and Violetta Chandler.

January 11 Save Our Cottages Artists with a Cause documentary and art show played to a sold out audience at Indian Rocks Beach, Florida.

Guests for documentary and art show, Indian Rocks Beach

More than 400 collectors and clients filled the art centre.

Interested collector views paintings by Helen tilston

Two years of filming, painting and planning went into this event.   We filmed in Provence, France, the birthplace of impressionism and also at Indian Rocks Beach, Florida.  Two of the most fun filled years of our lives.  

A triptych, one panel by each artist as shown here with Mary Rose Holmes

The three member Plein Aire Cottage Artists are the feature of the documentary and like all great documentaries it is the guests and speakers who contributed who made the documentary such a success.  It was accepted at Gasparilla Film Festival in Tampa and won the "People's Choice" Award in 2019.   Currently it is being entered in film festivals such as Toronto, Cork and others before going as promised to PBS where it will receive widespread viewing.   Emmy Award documentary film maker Lynn Marvin Dingfelder and Emmy award cinematographer Larry Wiezycki are a joy to know and work with.

Documentary Film-maker, Lynn Marvin Dingfelder, Violetta Chandler, Larry Wiezycki and Kim Wiezycki

Guests from Arizona, Janice Boug, Artist Helen Tilston and guest from Toronto Raquel Benzacar Savatti

Patron viewing paintings

Patrons Jeni Rae Bond and Jude Bond
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.....

Patron Susan Murbach and Helen Tilston

Some new and exciting projects on the back burner which we shall reveal shortly.

Thank you my blogging friends for following along.

Exciting News - A Documentary Save Our Cottages: Artists with a Cause & Victoria Magazine

Victoria Magazine July August 2019 Issue 

Hello my dear friends,  I apologize for my absence from blogging.   I have a few excuses but all are not good enough to account for my being absent.   

Victoria Magazine, July August issue is featuring the Plein Aire Cottage Artists.  My award winning art partners (Mary Rose Holmes, Violetta Chandler and Helen Tilston a.k.a. The Plein Aire Cottage Artists) and me were filmed for two days at Indian Rocks Beach, last November.  It was a very extraordinary experience and we became instant friends with the Stylist and Photographer who worked with us.   A Stylist can really create the ambiance and setting.   I hope you have a change to get Victoria Magazine and view the shoot.  It is 8 pages and illustrates beautiful Indian Rocks Beach, Florida, a beautiful old fashioned seaside town.  It is a fabulous place to visit and stay for a week, two or several months.

 Plein Aire Cottage Artist Mary Rose Holmes in foreground.  In background left is Violetta Chandler and Helen Tilston

At Premier of Save Our Cottages Artists with a cause:  Mary Rose Holmes and Helen Tilston.

Save Our Cottages:  Artists with a Cause documentary by Emmy award winning  documentary film-maker Lynn Marvin Dingfelder and Larry Wiezycki premiered in November in Florida to an audience of 1,000 viewers.   The documentary was  selected by Gasparilla Film Festival, Tampa and shown to a packed out theatre in Tampa.  It won the best "peoples choice" documentary on Florida.   The documentary is going to be shown at major film festivals and PBS  have claims on it.  I shall keep you posted as dates are presented.

Save Our Cottages: Artists with a cause was filmed at Indian Rocks Beach, Florida and also Provence, France, the birthplace of impressionistic paintings.  One very exciting moment was filming at Cezanne's Studio at Aix-en-Provence, after hours,  and holding his props and painting materials.

Artists Violetta Chandler and Helen Tilston inside Cezanne's Studio at Aix-en-Provence

Inside Cezanne's Studio at Aix-en-Provence, Artist Helen Tilston, Roberta  and Mary Rose Holmes

Outside Cezanne Studio, Documentary Filmmaker, Lynn Marvin Dingfelder, Roberta, Larry Wiezycki, Mary Rose Holmes and Violetta Chandler (Photo Helen Tilston)

Purchasing art supplies near St. Remy  Helen Tilston, Violetta Chandler and Mary Rose Holmes.

Props as used by Cezanne in his paintings only the fruit is fresh.

Out Painting and filming at Indian Rocks Beeach, Mary Rose Holmes, a friend and her puppy and Helen Tilston

Viioletta Chandler, Lloyd Sowers Fox TV Tampa, Helen Tilston.

I look forward to catching up with all of you my friends.

Wilde's Fairy Tales

Photo taken this week on Cliff Walk, Ardmore, Co Waterford.

My apologies for being absent from this blog for so long.    There is a ton of excuses but they are all outdated.    I try and visit my favourite blogs and still love reading blogs and I think of the beautiful stories and life events that my blogging friends have written about over the years.

I have been enthralled by a five part radio programme on RTE (Radio Telefis Eireann) Lyric FM.  Oscar Wilde penned five fairy tales. Each week one of  Wilde's fairy stories was read and scholars from Trinity College Dublin and Oscar Wilde's grandson spoke/reviewed  the fairy tales.    Should you wish to listen, they are available on Podcast, free of charge.  www.wildestories.ie.  Tip: When you click on e.g. Episode One  Click on the Link that says "Listen to Wilde Stories' Episode in full"

I have a hard time picking a favourite and I cried when I listened to "The Nightinggale and The Rose"

Please tell me your favourite story.

18 Years Ago Today - A Particular Friendship

Photo by Helen Tilston

Dirk Bogarde left this world eighteen years ago today.

I was saddened and planted, at our farm,  a white lilac bush in his honour.  I did not have the pleasure of meeting Dirk Bogarde.

Photo Helen Tilston

Dirk Bogarde was an Actor, Painter and Novelist.

Bogarde served with the British Army during the second world war at 22 years. Bogarde was one of the first Allied officers in April 1945 to reach the Berger Belsen concentration camp in Germany, an experience that had the most profound effect on him and about which he found it difficult to speak for many years afterward.

Dirk Bogarde is often referred to as a Matinee Idol and starred in many movies.  
Later he became more selective and acted in more challenging roles.  
Bogarde was born and lived in England and later in France with his long time partner Anthony Forward.

It was Dirk's writing that captured me and in particular this book which hooked me on his writing.

In a nutshell the story is: Madame X, while waiting for her hair to dry, is reading a magazine at her hairdressers in California. She reads that Dirk Bogarde has purchased a new home in England.  Madame X recognizes the home and it is one she lived in many years earlier.  Madame X writes to Dirk Bogarde and they correspond for several years.  He bears his soul to Madame X.  The love between the two is magical.   A must read.

I have read all of Dirk Bogarde's books and they adorn my bookshelf.    

Today a white candle flickers and I recall a man who was born with integrity, charm, common sense and with so many gifts all of which he used.