"Paris Backyard Retreat" SOLD

"Paris Backyard Retreat"

oil, 6 x 6in on canvas panel

$150

Do you remember reading the book "The Secret Garden"?

I first carried the thick pale green book home from my school library when I was eleven.

I was so mesmerized by it. Visions of walled gardens, tangles of roses, hidden ---just waiting for me. To this day, it is one of my favorite reads ever.

This little secret garden is right here in Paris. It's also the home of Ozzie, a cat I painted back in the fall of 2009. Ted and Gretchen have created a naturalized area just outside their door that is teeming with birds, butterflies and 3 cats. The day I was there I could have been a million miles from home. So quiet, the hum of bees, sunshine playing hide and seek amongst all the plantings---a very special place. Sometimes we don't have to travel far to feel like we have run away! Thank you Ted and Gretchen for creating such a special place on the earth....and for having open hearts to share it.

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"Paris Garden Cottage" SOLD

"Paris Garden Cottage"

oil painting, 6 x 6in on canvas panel

$150

Sheds and garden houses are often a thing of beauty within themselves. Parked on the edges of lawns, tucked away in back yards, they give way to more color, more whimsy, more personality than the demure homes they hide behind. They always seem like people to me. The inside beauty that lies behind that initial covering we see....:) Being a lover of flowers and all things home grown, the quiet beauty that little garden houses offer up are a never-ending source of delight!

This fairytale place could be anywhere---it just happens to be at home here in Paris. I have admired it and photographed it more than a few times as it backs up to a public garden in town. This last gallery hop afforded me the chance to meet the owner---a beautiful soul and obviously, a lover of beautiful flowers!

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"A Day at the Beach" SOLD

"A Day at the Beach"

oil painting, 6 x 6" on canvas panel

$150

Now at first glance this looks like a carnation in a simple glass. However, if you squint, you can see the ocean, sunshine, and a big umbrella with yourself spread out underneath it.

See---I told you it was there!!

Now, squirm you toes a bit in the sand. Ahhhh......

Don't forget your sunscreen.....:)

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"Summer Dreamin'..." SOLD

Summer Dreamin'

oil painting, 6 x 6in on canvas panel

$150

It doesn't help that my daughter sent me a photo of the perfect 75 degree Malibu beach she was doing her writing at today. I know, I promised my Canadian artist friends I would not whine.

So I lied like a dog.

Even Eddie is acting depressed. He has built himself a "man cave" under the covers and is pretty much refusing to come out. I am thinking about joining him.

In other news, painting is easy. I just stand in front of the easel staring at a white canvas until drops of blood form on my forehead.

(I know, I stole that line from the quote about writing....but it fits as well for painting these days....)

Feel free to borrow it. In fact, feel free to do or borrow anything that helps get you through winter.

And for those of you living in warmer climates like my daughter (I am not mentioning any names but you know who you are...Irit, Jill, Leslie, Mia, and others) I am trying my best to remain friends and like you, but with every snowstorm that moves in, I am finding it increasingly difficult.

Now, at the end of all this ---a bit of irony for you. I have been awarded the "Sunshine Blog Award". Usually awarded to those with optimistic, uplifting posts. I may be the first to have to hand it back over....:)

P.S. My mood did improve after I did this painting. I know you are relieved. I promise to do my best to not turn up as a local news blurb with captions like "artist snaps, shots fired....film at eleven...."

P.S.S. Not to worry you further, but I was also doing the whole dance thing with the Bee Gee's "Stayin' Alive" ....red pajamas and a paint brush. It wasn't a pretty sight. No wonder Eddie is hiding in the man cave.

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"Sunshine Blog Award"

The idea of the Sunshine Blog award is to recognize those bloggers who write creative and positive posts. I have obviously dodged a bullet. They missed the last two of my posts.....:) Actually, thanks to Tammy Hext of Canada for nominating me! Tammy's a wonderful artist that I had the pleasure of meeting via a conference call hosted by Leslie Saeta this past week (which was excellent by the way, go to her blog and check out details for the next scheduled call!)


Now it's my turn to spread the sunshine by selecting 12 blogs that I feel contribute to the global warming effect on the planet with their sunny outlooks! Their links are clickable, so you can check them out and hopefully discover some new artists! There are some really fine artists and this covers a few--one from "down under", one from England, and one from Spanish Village in San Diego, where I still maintain my membership..:) --all of them are fine artists, so make sure to visit..:) you are only a click away from some great art....:)

1. Diane Hoeptner

2. Edward Burton

3. Roxanne Steed

4. Joaquin Sorolla ...yeah, I know, he's dead, never had a blog, just makin' sure you're reading this
5. Monique Straub

6. Dan McGrath

7. Vic Errington

8. Qiang-Huang

9. Carol Marine

10. Jennifer Lawson

11. Shirley Peters

12. Jennifer McChristian Pin It

"Daisy Blues" SOLD

"Daisy Blues"

6 x 6in, oil on canvas panel

$150 unframed

Blue + Daisies = carefree summer day

That's my take on why blue feeels so good when paired with daisies. Carefree, hanging upside down from the monkey bars, runnin' barefoot, drinkin' kool-aide kind of summer day.

I know, it's hard to imagine right now, both summer and hanging upside down......

Would you settle for sitting in the porch swing sipping ice tea kind of summer day?

Of course you would have your coat on.

And boots.

And maybe the tea would be hot instead of iced. But if you sat long enough the tea would become iced anyway. Along with some body parts that shall remain nameless here.

I fear it has become obvious......if someone doesn't rescue me from this winter weather I fear I will not be able to paint anymore.

Straight jackets are not very accomdating for holding a paintbrush.

Thank God for daisies and something blue...:)

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"Winner of January Painting Giveaway!!"

Every month I am reminded of the gift that occurs for me each time I get to draw for the winner of the monthly painting giveaway. Yesterday when I sent out an email notification to the winner ....within seconds my phone was ringing. I picked it up to hear a voice on the other end saying, "This is John and I am the winner!" John is an incredibly gifted porcelain artist (he shared his work with me via email)... and just like that, I was connected with an artist living in North Dakota! Knowing that something we do maybe makes someones day....it always serves to remind me that it's so worthwhile doing...:)

"The Perfect Couple" will be heading out to John this week. He told me it's going in his kitchen where he will see it often, he loves to cook.....Congratulations, John!

The winner is drawn each month from the combination of those signed up on my newsletter, blog, blog followers, and comments left on my blog. Now, I had a few people ask me at my show opening how to post a comment on my blog. I forget that this time last year I was just learning what a blog was myself...:) So here goes (if you know how already, you can stop reading now and go back to your coffee)--

If you receive my blog in your mailbox, scroll to the bottom of the post to where you see this...http://dreamatolleperry.blogspot.com.....click on that. It will bring you directly to my blog (which will appear on a black page) When you see the painting for the day, scroll to the bottom of that post and you will see in small print "Posted By Dreama Tolle Perry, Comments-------That is where you click--on the comments. Then you can leave a post that everyone will see---including me! The more comments you leave, the more chances you have at winning a painting. So there you have it, now you can just run around commenting on blogs left and right....

And...one more thing I have added. At the top right of my blog page is a "share" button which, when you click it, will allow you to share my blog via email, facebook, twitter, etc. with all the people in your life that you would like to share this page with.....it's that easy. Now you have learned TWO new things . You can coast for the rest of the day....your work is done .

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