PleinAireCottageArtists

My friends and family tease me by saying that I plan my life around the spectacular sunsets at Indian Rocks Beach. This is a known fact, I rush through my chores to be home for sunset. This past week I took my French easel for a stroll along the beach. Scrugg's historical cottages were the perfect motif. I have painted these cottages previously but never at this time of day when the sun was close to setting.

Mary Rose Holmes celebrated a very special occasion and took a trip to Bermuda. Accommodation was in a cottage with a glass bottom floor. The Island was the inspiration for several paintings. This is the view from her cottage

The Summer Wind blows in from across the sea and there is nowhere in the world I would rather be I am singing and composing my own words to the Sinatra song which is echoing from a charming cottage. The courtyard and flowers at this little French restaurant have been lovingly baptised by the chef and owner. The setting is perfect and the sun is co-operting this morning ....La La La la....."I found you in the Summer wind" Painting "I Found you" By Mary Rose Holmes

The tropical Spring Rains have been busy "spring cleaning" at Indian Rocks Beach. Everywhere one looks the trees and plants have been washed and are now basking in the beautiful sun. I packed my half French Easel and set up on Beach Trail, near 17th Avenue- the cottages called to be painted and at a magical moment a sailboat inched along the Gulf of Mexico. Life is truly beautiful here at Indian Rocks Beach, "the way life should be" Artist: Mary Rose Holmes www.pleinairecottageartists.com

Oh the Summer Time is coming and the trees are sweetly blooming and the wistaria is showing its colours of lavender, lilac, violet and deep cobalt I came upon a Victorian house built in the later 1800's on a busy through street in Toronto The wistaria was clinging to the orange brick and the sun hit the faded turquoise door. Ah, beauty..Wistaria reminds me of a strong person, it survives in adverse weather, it clings when it needs to yet is independent and proud. I quickly ran home (two short blocks) grabbed my french easel and have begun to record this magical day Here is my painting in progress. Top painting is finished. Painting beneath is work in progress

Many have asked me to publish the poem which I created specifically for Indian Rocks Beach Valentine's dane -February 14 2008 LOVE CHANGES EVERYTHING...Ode to Indian Rocks Beach My heart is on fire since I met you All days have skies of cerulian blue Your shell pink beach with its outstretched arms welcomes home the tired, wounded and aching hearts Your sunshine of soft gold warms the spirit Your waves of azure, viridian and cobalt keep in rhythm with me Your gentle breezes encourage me Your shorebirds dance with me Your clouds make silly faces at me Your residents radiate joy and inspire me So my dear Valentine there is nothing to oppose and to you my love I wish to propose May I live with you forever more? (by Helen Tilston...January 15, 2008)

The Plein Aire Cottage Artists presented a cheque in the amount of $2008.25 to Indian Rocks Beach Action 2000. A2K is a non profit organization whose mandate is to constantly improve and beautify Indian Rocks Beach. Amongst their wonderful works are: planting of trees and flowers, erecting bus shelters, presenting the Plein Aire Cottage Artist's award to businesses who improve and keep their business looking beautiful and professional Left to Right A2K's Jim Labadie, Julie Folden,Plein Aire Cottage Artists Mary Rose Holmes, Helen Tilston (absent from picture Violetta Shtumeyzen) and Eric Myers President A2K