PleinAireCottageArtists

Violetta, Mary Rose and Helen paint a triptych (The  Plein Aire Cottage Artists - Mary Rose Holmes, Helen Tilston and Violetta (Shtumeyzen Chandler) - we have been painting together for eleven years. Recently they got into creating triptychs, (pronounced trip' ticks) or three-paneled paintings. Each artist paints a third of the scene and when they put the three finished pieces together, they create a cohesive and colorful whole. It's a special kind of teamwork for artists. "Starting in the 1980s, a lot of artists learned to work collaboratively, so there's a precedent," said Lynn Whitelaw, director of the Leepa-Ratner Museum in Largo, who is familiar with the Plein Aire artists. "But I don't know of three artists that have worked together like these three do." There is a certain harmony among them that transcends style. "They share the same aesthetic," Whitelaw observed. "Their styles are complementary, but each i

Artist and Desinger Mary Rose Homes is speaking of the use of yellow Wednesday was our day to paint outdoors this week and whilst we love the ocean and the beach, we all have a strong sense and love for architecture. A day of city painting was decided upon. Sarasota, Florida was the choice. Mary Rose, Violetta and Helen have been painting for almost twelve years and the friendship is one which is very special and  treasured by all three of us.  As with many close friends  often one will find us finishing each other's sentences.   We all aspire to having a positive attitude in our conversation and in our  time together  and we make every effort to  not contaminate our paintings with negativity.   Our slogan "Tell me you want prayer, but only bring me the good news"  (these words are by Violetta's late grandmother).  With cappucinos for Mary Rose and Helen and Earl Grey tea for Violetta, easels are set up in historic Sarasota. Historical area - a

Artists: Violetta, Helen and Mary Rose paint triptych at Indian Rocks Beach - Photo by Karen Altpeter They want a painting of the ocean.  The request a triptych. One panel painted by each artist which when hung forms one cohesive scene.  Just the sand, the ocean and sky.  Light to be late afternoon when shadows are longest.  The weather is co-operating and progress is made.   Some say the sea takes but we say the sea has given. Cooper and Rusty Walker with Megalodon  shark's tooth at Indian Rocks Beach.Photo Brian Goff, Beach Bee Just along the shore from us, Belleair resident Rusty Walker and son Cooper are thrilled to have found a Megalodon shark's tooth. The Megalodon shark has been extinct for millions of years. It is believed to be anywhere from 2.5 to 10 million years old.  Jay Jolin from Fossilseekers.com as been collecting and selling sharks teeth. He explained sharks teeth fall out, sink to the bottom and are imbedded in the sediment that acts as a cocoon preser