Give unto God the Glory Due to His Name

It is both a constant challenge and continuing inspiration to successfully create on canvas a portion of God's masterpiece.

"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. She is an elected Artist Member of the Salmagundi Club, and an Associate member of the American Impressionist Society, Oil Painters of America, American Women Artists, National Oil & Acrylic Painters' Society and a member of the New Jersey Society of En Plein Air Painters.

"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". After her episode on "Life in the Arts", 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.

Since 1998, Dooley 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's

"Paintings with a Heartbeat" Event (October 2011)

"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 Christadelphians and he loved God. As a young child and teenager, I will always remember my dad sitting in his favorite chair reading and talking about the Bible. Dad was a very talented musician and played the piano, guitar and mandolin. He also was a gifted artist and liked to do pencil sketches, usually of horses or old oak trees. I was so very blessed to have such a wonderful father."

"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."

Awards

(2012) Finalist in the Raymar Art Competition (6th Annual Competition Month #10 - September

(2009) Jury's Top Fifty Award - Salon International 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 & Local Exhibits

2013

(MI) Oil Painters of America's Juried Salon Show of Traditional Oils - Crooked Tree Arts Center, Inc.

(NJ) Stately Homes By the Sea (presented by VNA Health Group) Master Bedroom Suite Designer Showhouse (Hartshorne Mansion)

(CA) American Women Artists Associate Member Juried Competition 2013 (online juried event)

2012

(AZ) Raymar 6th Annual Art Competition (September)

(PA) First Annual Small Paintings Exhibit (Rich Timmons Studio & Gallery)

(NY) Salmagundi Club Summer Potpourri

(NJ) Healing the Children Annual Awards Gala (Basking Ridge Country Club)

(WI) Richeson75 Small Works 2012 International Competition

2011

(NJ) Paintings with a Heartbeat Event (one person show)

(NJ) 31st National Annual Mountain Art Show

(NJ) Design Domaine Gallery - Winter Magic

(NJ) 14^th Annual Mardi Gras Gala and Auction

(NJ) Stanhope Spring Festival

2010

(CO) Fiesta de la Paloma Juried Art Show

(NY) “The Noble Nocturne” Theme Exhibition – Salmagundi Club

(NJ) NJPAP’s Wet Paint Competition (Exhibit at Design Domaine Gallery)

(NJ) “Down by the Sea” Design Domaine Gallery Exhibit (June)

(NJ) “Spring Floral” Design Domaine Gallery Exhibit (April)

(NJ) Woodlands Wildlife Refuge Mardi Gras 2010 Event

2009

(TX) Salon International 2009 – Greenhouse Gallery of Fine Art

(NJ) Mountain Art Show

(WI) Richeson 75 Still Life & Floral International Competition

(NY) Salmagundi Club – Summer Potpourri

(TX) Navarro Council of the Arts National Juried Show

2008

(CA) American Impressionist Society 9^th Annual National Juried Exhibit

(NY) Salmagundi Club (5 separate exhibits)

(WI) 6^th Annual National Juried Exhibit @ Barnsite Art Studio & Gallery