“Because Nature is my teacher, I believe my paintings are ‘living’ paintings so I call them PAINTINGS WITH A HEARTBEAT™.”
Dooley, a prolific four season plein air painter, has a delicate, pretty and joyous style without succumbing to illustrative temptations. Her studio works, while decidedly impressionistic in style, are based on plein air studies and photographs.
A national and local award-winning artist, Dooley has been exhibiting since 1971 and her paintings have been juried into dozens of national and international exhibits across the country.
“1993 is the year I will never forget and that year was the turning point in my painting career. The Worldscape Series was broadcast on PBS television and featured world-renowned marine artist, John Stobart. John was painting outdoors which was something I had heard of, but never considered doing. As I watched him paint, I witnessed an extraordinary metamorphosis as his blank canvas became a beautiful painting that seemed to come to life. I was so excited that I decided to write him a letter. A few months later, I had the opportunity to personally meet him at one of his exhibits held in New York City. I asked John for his advice, and he said, ‘The best way to learn how to paint, is to paint on site.’ The very next day, I went outdoors, set up my easel, and instantly discovered the reason why Nature was the best teacher. I cannot find the words to express how much I appreciated John’s advice. It was the biggest positive influence on my painting career.”
In 2008 and 2009, Dooley developed plein air videos which are exhibited on YouTube.com. Her primary focus is to encourage aspiring artists to paint plein air.
In 2011, Longtimers Productions (located in Monterey, California), contacted Dooley asking for permission to broadcast a 30 minute episode of her videos on AMP cable television’s “Life in the Arts.” Longtimers Productions produces a series of programs for “Life in the Arts” which contain the best art lessons on YouTube. The episode included several “spontaneous” interviews taken by her husband, Mark, and several of Dooley’s videos. “I was thrilled at having another venue to promote painting on site outdoors.”
In the last two years, Dooley has devoted most of her time to writing her book, “Nature, The Best Teacher,” which was published on March 16, 2013. Nature, The Best Teacher was conceived with a primary focus: To encourage the aspiring artist to return to the fundamental principles and to use Nature as the Teacher.
Dooley is an elected Artist Member of the Salmagundi Club; an Associate member of the American Impressionist Society, Oil Painters of America, American Women Artists, and National Oil & Acrylic Painters’ Society; and a member of the New Jersey Society of En Plein Air Painters.
www.PaintingsWithAHeartbeat.com