A multiple award-winning artist, Ramona has a delicate, pretty and joyous style without succumbing to illustrative temptations. While decidedly impressionistic in style, she incorporates her own version of pointillism with realistic elements into many of her pieces. Forever seeking to please the viewer, Ramona prefers beautiful coloration and soft shading to enhance her work.
Ramona has been exhibiting since 1971 and her paintings have been accepted in dozens of juried national and international exhibits across the country. She has been elected into membership of the Salmagundi Club, the American Impressionist Society, Oil Painters of America and American Women Artists. In 2008 she received an award from the American Impressionist Society exhibition and in 2009 she received a Jury's Top 50 award at the Salon International Exhibit held at the Greenhouse Gallery of Fine Art (Texas). Ramona has been cited in the American Art Collector Magazine in 2009 and in 2010 was included in Southwest Art Magazine's article titled "Best of the West - A Tribute to Impressionism".
In 2011, Longtimer's Productions' "Life in the Arts" (Monterey, California) broadcast a 30 minute episode featuring Ramona Dooley. That same year, Ramona had a one person exhibit - "Paintings With a Heartbeat Event" which was held at Design Domaine Gallery and included 50+ paintings and a video of "Life in the Arts". Her studio painting, "Song of the Swan", based on a plein air study, was advertised in Plein Air Magazine's Fall 2011 Issue.
Since 1998, Ramona has been represented by fine art galleries in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont and is presently represented by Design Domaine Gallery in Bernardsville, New Jersey and Rich Timmons - Studio & Gallery in Doylestown, Pennsylvania.
Ramona (Center) with Marilyn and Larry Rosenthal, Owners, at Design Domaine Gallery (October 2011)
Ramona finds much inspiration for her compositions from her travels as well as from local areas of beauty. More importantly, however, she is inspired to present God's natural glory on canvas, painted alla prima. In her efforts to share her talents, techniques and discoveries Ramona has developed "en plein air" videos which have been exhibited on YouTube.com with her primary focus on encouraging aspiring artists to paint onsite as Nature is the best teacher.
Ramona at Ringwood State Park
Painting: "Crossing (Spring)"
Above: Ramona painting (Cape May)
Ramona Taking a Video While She Paints
Above: Ringwood State Park
Below: Delaware Water Gap
"If someone were to ask me, "Who first influenced you in the arts?", I would have to say my dad. He was a religious man (a lifelong member of the Christadelphian Ecclesia) and he loved God. Dad read and talked about the Bible every day. He was also an extremely talented musician.
As a young child, I remember seeing dad sitting in his chair. He was either reading his Bible or playing the piano or guitar. But I also remember sitting next to him and watching carefully as he did a pencil sketch (from memory), usually of a horse or a tree - he was also a gifted artist. I was so very blessed to have such a wonderful father.
Typical of children I enjoyed drawing and would often sketch outdoors, but I wanted to draw at times I shouldn't. In school (whenever I could "get away with it") I would pretend to be writing notes and studying but was either drawing or staring out the school window at the beautiful trees (they called me the day dreamer). In my grammar school graduation book they wrote about me: 'Ramona Ribaudo, an artist, Beatnik and ardent Beatle fan - see you at the Guggenheim'!
In 1969, I took a very short course in oil at a local studio. Two years later, with 6 paintings in hand, I entered my first show and sold my first painting.
But 1993 would be the year I will always remember! It was the turning point in my painting career. That year, the WorldScape Series was broadcast on PBS television and featured world-renowned marine artist, John Stobart. As he sat next to an easel painting outdoors, I witnessed an extraordinary metamorphosis. A blank canvas became a beautiful, living painting. 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. John's strongest advice was to paint on location - my epiphany! I cannot find the words to express how much I appreciated John's advice. It was the biggest positive influence on my painting career.
Painting plein air demands my full attention and although it may be challenging at times, it is immensely enjoyable and rewarding. When working on my studio paintings, I use plein air studies and/or photographs.
Because I am a plein air artist and believe my paintings are fresh and alive, that is living paintings that "almost breathe", I decided to call them PAINTINGS WITH A HEARTBEAT."
AWARDS:
(2009) Jury's Top Fifty Award - Salon Intern. 2009 @ Greenhouse Gallery of Fine Art (TX)
(2008) Honorable Mention - American Impressionist Society @ Coda Fine Art Gallery (CA)
(2007) 3rd Place Oils - AAR 40th Annual Members Spring Show (NJ)
(2006) 3rd Place - National Greeley Art Exhibition (CO)
(2006) Honorable Mention 3rd Annual Central Coast Nat. Fine Arts Comp (CA)
(2006) Special Recognition Award-8th Annual All Media International
(2006) Award of Merit - AAR Fall Members Show (NJ)
(1994) Honorable Mention - PFW & Art Gallery - WEAA Exhibit (NJ)
NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITS (Selected):
Salmagundi Club (2008-2010) (NY)
Salon International (2009; 2005; and 2002) (TX)
American Impressionist Society (2008) (CA)
Oil Painters of America (2001) (CA)
Richeson 75 Still Life & Floral International Competition (2009) (WI)
Barnsite Art Studio & Gallery (2008) (WY)
EVENTS (for details on other Exhibits and Events click Events)
(2006) Coordinator for Oil Painters of America (New Jersey) Paintout (Ringwood Park)
"When you go outdoors to paint, look at your surroundings, find what first excites you and remember what you first observed. Then paint with enthusiasm and paint quickly and you will succeed in capturing a timeless treasure."
- Ramona Dooley
Psalm 96:11-13 – “Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy; they will sing before the LORD, for He comes, He comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his truth."
Paintings Fresh and Alive!"©
PAINTINGS WITH A HEARTBEAT™
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