PleinAireCottageArtists

Helen Tilston sketching on Gulf Blvd. IRB Here on the Gulf of Mexico, Indian Rocks Beach Florida temperatures are soaring.  Yesterday was 31C or 88 F.   Finding shade when painting is of utmost importance. Bearing large cappucinos, Mary Rose, Violetta and I arrived at our assigned meeting spot. Mary Rose sketching at Indian Rocks Beach Our chosen spot offered cool shade beneath a copse of live oak and palm trees. Violetta has found an interesting cottage to sketch and paint at Indian Rocks Beach We sketched and all made a good start on individual oil paintings.  Lunch at Keegans. Our choice grilled grouper cheek sandwich. Mary Rose Holmes paints a beach entrance at Indian Rocks Beach The sun has now moved to the west.  A plan to paint from the beach with the sun behind us was discussed and a walk along the beach quickly put an end to that plan. Indian Rocks Beach where the early start on our weekend began After all, it is Frid...

Mary Rose paints en plein air On a bright sandy beach a curving path leads through sea grapes in blossom to the porch of this 1950's cottage.  Blue grass music is softly playing and a warm southern welcome awaits.  We have arrived at the home of a sixth generation Floridian, Mary Rose Holmes, a professional artist. This 1,200 square foot cottage she shares with her husband Dwight Holmes, an architect. Tea is offered in the warm southern hospitality and grace which radiates throughout the home. Mary Rose paints quickly to capture the ever changing light The decor echoes the colours of the Gulf of Mexico's ever changing water.  The painting on the wall are part of the Algenon Speer Highwaymen Collection. Speer, Mary Rose's father purchased the paintings directly from the Highwaymen artists by the roadside on his regular trips from Sanford to Fort Pierce in the 1950's.  Sunset over Indian Rocks Beach - perhaps a green flash tonight Fri...

Artist Mary Rose Holmes is cheerfully dressed for painting today As our collectors and friends know, we  paint en plein air and we love fashion and colour. Living on the barrier islands here on Florida's Gulf coast provides us with intense colour at certain times of the year.    This is one such day.   In looking at these images we have a question.  Does the colour we wear and the the hearts we meet influence our paintings? He does not live here but fits in nicely Original oil paining by Violetta Spoonbill who is hospitalized at the Seabird Sanctuary Violetta paints a garden There are three of them and three of us. Helen Tilston painting at Indian Rocks Beach Original oil painting by Helen Tilston Mary Rose chooses a dress Original oil painting by Mary Rose Holmes Hope your week is colourful

Cafe lunch - Oil Painting by Violetta You are cordially invited to attend our Art Show at Guppy's, Indian Rocks Beach, Florida on January 24th.  We will personally give you a docent tour of "Coastal Cottages Series Eleven". My flowers welcome -oil painting Mary Rose The weather is in the 70's daily, the beach is sandy and the shell collecting is superb.  If you enjoy fresh seafood, the most beautiful sunsets and stolling along Beach Trail, this will meet your needs. Kinvara Day- oil painting  by Helen Tilston Perhaps you will enjoy dip in the Gulf of Mexico, where children, pelicans an dolphins swim in harmony. Violetta, Helen & Mary Rose painting on Indian Rocks Beach Until we see you on the 24th January may the sun shine softly upon you and yours.

What does an Architect and an Artist have in common?  Art, design, painting, music and travel and sketching.  Plein Aire Cottage Artist Mary Rose Holmes and  architect husband Dwight have celebrated more than fifty years of wedded bliss.  During their frequent travels, a sketchbook and selection of pencils and pens can be found in their carry on bags.  Mary Rose also packs her oil paints. While Mary Rose paints.  Dwight will sketch buildings. Sketchpad Dwight will sketch buildings. Sketch by Dwight E Holmes Recently  Sarasota Architectural Assoc.   honoured  award winning architect and resident of Indian Rocks Beach   Dwight E Holmes. Holmes on  graduating  from Georgia Tech set his eyes on the Gulf Coast of Florida  and was hired by Mark Hampton The Sarasota School of Architecture The years: 1941 to 1966 The place: Sarasota, Florida The story: Inflected by local climate, construction pra...

Welcome to Indian Rocks Beach, a triptych by Helen  Tilston, Mary Rose Holmes and Violetta Chandler My art partners Mary Rose Holmes, Violetta Chandler and I have been asked by Leepa Rattner Museum, in Tarpon Springs and graciously accept the wonderful honour of judging an art show.  The Plein Air Paint Out will be held at Tarpon Springs, Florida . Finalists will be judged by us on  November 11, 2012.    This "Event" attracts many of North America's finest plein air painters. Tarpon Springs , is on the Gulf Coast of Florida, fifteen miles north of Clearwater Beach. Settled by Greeks, where the language is still widely spoken.  This seaside town provides delicious Greek cuisine, OPA echoes through the narrow streets, as steaming plates are taken to tables by enthusiastic waiters.  Daily specialties of the freshest, local  seafood is offered.  Many bakeries offer baklava and sumptuous Greek deserts.  Spong...

n They visit Indian Rocks Beach annually.   Each year their love for this beautiful seaside town grows more and more.   Their historic house in Europe has just welcomed  a collection of painting by the Plein Aire Cottage Artists.  The subject are primarily beach scenes.   They asked that their purchases be kept confidential, which we respect. This is the type of art that appealled to them and a trip tych has left our Florida shores. She wants to feel the sunshine of Florida on cold, frosty winter mornings in Europe This painting of Barrier Island cottages is by Mary Rose Holmes will make them count the days till they return to the island This painting:  Your boat awaits, by Violetta Chandler, would compliment the wistaria which will bloom in spring time This painting:  "She lived in a rich man's garden"  by Helen Tilston A letter of thanks arrives and stated that they have placed some of our painting...