PleinAireCottageArtists

Indian Rocks Beach and Violetta is capturing the magic of this beautiful cottage. The panel is part of a trip tych which will be featured at Guppy's - January 10, 2010. Violetta has been travelling this summer. Her travels have taken her to Michigan. This past week she has been back in Florida. The soft light evening light and the restful ambiance summoned her to paint this vista.

Today all three Plein Aire Cottage Artists have picked the beach - shade is a rare commodity but we somehow manage to find long shadows and some tall trees to fan the gentle breeezes. We are particularly blessed in that today Olga (Violetta's beautiful daughter) is joining us. She is taking a well deserved beach day and is equipped with her I-Pod and book. We have had a delicious breakfast at the Lighthouse at Indian Rocks Beach. My intent is to capture this beautiful day. Left to Right, Violetta beneath tree, Mary Rose in White, Helen in centre and Olga to the right. A bliss. May the day linger forever.

My most recent commission is this darling little house which exudes love. The owner has restored and brought to life this little gem. Bougainvillia blooms. Inside this home, one feels they are visiting a European house. I had so much fun painting this little charmer

Listen, do you want to know a secret? Do you promise not to tell? Yeah ah Yeah eh The lyrics of this Beetles song kept me singing as I painted this magical garden entrance? The door was left open. Does the garden belong to a man or a woman? It feels loved, it is a happy garden and has honeybees buzzing the afternoon away I plan to return to the secret garden to complete the painting. The mystery is unanswered.

The Plein Aire Cottage Artists are exhibiting at Leepa Rattner Museum in Tarpon Springs - by popular demand the exhibition has been held over until September. Should your plans find you on Florida's Gulf Coast, please stop by Leepa Rattner Museum in Tarpon Springs Click here Scroll to Page 24

The St. Petersburg Times recently featured four museums in the Tampa Bay area very worthwhile visiting this summer. Included in the list are Ringling Museum, Museum of Fine Art, The Salvador Dali Museum and Leepa Rattner which features the Plein Aire Cottage Artists. Five triptychs by Helen Tilston, Mary Rose Holmes and Violetta Shtumeyzen are on exhibit. The show continues through September. Click here to download article