"Always JOY"

"Always JOY"

12 x 12in oil on museum quality panel

$550

What are you really hungry for?  

What is it that you crave?

It's worth the asking.

Like eating a dozen random things when we don't know what we really want

OR

Running around doing a zillion other things because we are unclear on our real desires--

Both things result in full plates and unrequited hungers:))

Rather than filling up on just any old thing

Get really specific and feed only on that:)) 

P.S.  Just finished the second of my two workshops in Cary, NC--more to come!

Click to view my workshop dates for 2013:)

  

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"Gated Beauty" SOLD

"Gated Beauty"

8 x 8in oil on museum quality panel

$350

 Roses showing bare restraint, corralled but not hidden, by gates of blue and buildings old.

Perhaps more impacting because we didn't expect to find them,

 in this place,

on that street,

by the tumbled down house,

on an absented farm. 

Isn't that precisely the beauty of the journey,

The not knowing what hidden delights lie ahead,

down any old road we happen to find ourselves on:) 

(Course it never hurts when the road is in France.....)!

 

And in other news--out of all the winners reading this (yes, I'm talkin' to you) there are three winners whose names have been drawn to receive their choice of one of my books. 

Emails have been sent out---better check your mail:))

Eddie and I are so excited we can scarcely stand it!

Eddie says if you didn't win, not to worry.

It's the yin and yang of life...

P.S.  sometimes Eddie worries me. 

 P.S.S.actually most times Eddie worries me.

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"Spanish Village Studio" SOLD

"Spanish Village Studio"

6 x 6in oil on museum quality panel

$200

Painting is a participation sport.  I've done my part--  now it's  up to you to see yourself stretched out in your favorite chair sipping something cool in the shade of the big blue umbrella.  I think I just heard a really relaxed aahhhhhh....Can I get you anything else?

In Other News:

• 
  
  Share your best studio tip!  Next week's Artists Helping Artists radio show is going to be on just that--I am betting you have a least one thing you do, tool you use, idea you have come up with--that would be helpful to another artist.  I would love to hear about it--and you can add a photo too if you like.  Just email me at DreamaTollePerry@aol.com and Leslie Saeta and I  will include it in next week's show.  Go to the Artists Helping Artists Blog for more details by clicking here. I have had it on my mind to do for some time, but today I finally got around to it!  I get lots of requests from artists  curious about my colors, surfaces I paint on, etc. 
• 
  
   I have added a page to my blog, called appropriately, My Favorite Things, on which I share just that!  You can have a look by clicking here.
• Today I ordered my supplies for my upcoming California workshop and had them shipped to Leslie Saeta's home in Pasadena....LESLIE--THEY ARE NOT YOURS...STAY OUT OF MY ART SUPPLIES.  Sorry, just had to go public with this to make sure I still have stuff to work with when I get there in September--you know how artists can be when it comes to fresh, unsqueezed tubes of paint, new brushes, shiny palette knives.  Just writing it about it  makes me nervous.  Probably should have just taken my chances flying with them.....

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"La Bicicletta Blu" SOLD

"La Bicicletta Blu"

6 x 6in oil on museum quality panel

$200

Your ride awaits.  Sun on shoulders, mind clear, heart light.  It's a great day to be pedaling on centuries old streets.  You know what this means.  You will need to stop for some gelato to cool off with.  Girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.  Just a warning.  Eddie wants to ride with you--something about letting the breeze blow through his whiskers and such.  Whatever you do, don't let him talk you into it.  It's all fun and games 'til someone gets their tail caught in the spokes.  I'm just sayin'.

In other news:

• 
  
  Join me and fellow artists for the Paris Artwalk this Friday, July 23 from 5-9.  I will have some of my work at the newly formed gallery of Brian Privett's Law Offices on Main Street. 
• 
  
   Join Leslie Saeta and myself for "Artists Helping Artists" Internet radio show today at noon, EST.  Today's topic is Christmas in July and it's loaded with great ways to market your art for the holidays!

Ciao!


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"Light Hearted in France" SOLD

"Light Hearted in France"

6 x 6in oil on museum quality panel

$200

Hmmm....talk about heart healthy..a stress free jaunt in France...that should do it!  If it looks like one of the roses is missing here, it's because you just cut one to tuck  behind your ear (after first having buried nose in said rose and inhaling deeply)  before you headed off to class--it helps when you're local to speak the language...:)--no one said it hurt if the teacher happened to be cute as well.

Of course, listening to Stacey Kent's Raconte Moi helps put you in the mood....to learn the language of course. 

And in other news:

• 
  
  Carol Marine, one of the most well known of the daily painters and a super artist and lady will be our guest this Thursday, July 1st, 12 noon EST,  on Artists Helping Artists blog radio show.  We have lots to talk with Carol about and will be opening the phone lines for all your great questions and comments!  Check sidebar on my blog for details on calling in.  Remember--the shows are recorded as well for later listening.  Please help spread the word to your fellow artists about the show--Thanks!
• 
  
  Leslie Saeta and I have been having some awesome discussions via phone on how to make our September workshop an unforgettable, extreme learning experience.  I am learning things from Leslie about color and how to make your work have it's own signature look--and that's just with talking to her--just think of getting to see how she lays the paint down with the knife!  Stay tuned as we are each going to have a video addition on our sites to give you more information on what we plan to cover in this workshop set.  Click here for more info
• 
  
  And another thing--a bit of an unusual request.  But no one as ever accused me of being...usual.  Romiley Jack took my women's artist retreat back in the spring.  Romiley is an artist without brushes....she's an actress!  She has sent in her audition tape to "host your own show" that Oprah is sponsoring.  We can vote on our favorite.  Romiley is one of us--a generous, talented, lovely human being---and who doesn't like to see good girls win??  Here is the link to see her video audition and to vote.   Let's be part of pushing her to the top! (hint, you can vote more than once..:)
• 
  
  And, the pressure is building --- people are wanting to see paintings of Eddie.  I am hoping these are genuine requests and not something Eddie has engineered....so if he agrees to model, I will be adding a painting or two of Ed to the mix.  Just a heads up in case you are a fan of Eddie's.  He tells me has fans.  He also says he doesn't shed.....

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"Lynda's French Blue Gate" SOLD

"Lynda's French Blue Gate"

6 x 6in oil on museum quality panel

I have a dear friend named Lynda.  Lynda's whole face lights up when she laughs--as she often does.  There is a stuffed camel that hangs out on Lynda's bed, often times sporting a gaily colored scarf.  The last time I saw Lynda out she was wearing the scarf that I had previously seen the camel wearing.  That's how Lynda rolls.  She has a French room that is very ...well,   French.  It is full of unique, interesting, beautiful things--kind of like the lady herself.  Things that have long stories and histories that come with them.  Lynda is a writer and her writing desk is there.  It is a room full of sunshine.  Sometimes it's hard to tell exactly where the light comes from....Lynda, the sun, or a bit of both.  I treasure having her as a friend.  This blue gate is from a photo she sent me last week from her trip to France.  She will see the painting for the first time here, just as you are now.  If it is still around after she sees it, then I will post the price on it tomorrow.  But if I want to keep her as my friend, I figure I best post the painting without a  "buy now" button....:))

If you have a photo laying around from a trip abroad that you would be curious to see turn into a petite painting, you can send it to me.  If I paint it, you will get first dibs on it...nice and easy....that's how we (Eddie and me) roll...:))

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"Baby Blue"

"Baby Blue"

12 x 12in oil on museum quality panel

$350

We did a paint along in the workshop today (see above demo)....and it seemed to bring out lots of smiles and happy paintings in everyone!  Second day in the workshop means everyone is more relaxed and so there is even more laughter and good art taking place.  I feel so lucky that I get to do this--there is so much work that goes into preparing for one, I almost forget how much joy there is when I actually get to the "doing of it" part!  From dear friends I have known for 30 years to new ones just met yesterday, it makes for a one of kind experience each and every time.  Hard to believe it will be over tomorrow!  Gotta get this group to stand still long enough to get a group shot...:))  Will post that tomorrow.

• 
  
  Just a reminder for those who live in Kentucky.  Harrodsburg Festival of Books and Arts is coming up the last Saturday in June.  I am the  featured main stage artist and will be speaking about my book and doing a demonstration painting from 4-5pm from the stage.  I would love to meet you! This should be a great festival so mark your calendars..:))
• 
  
  Remember, I am giving away my first copy of my book, "The Artist's Toolbox" --to be eligible, leave a comment on my blog!
• 
  
  Leslie Saeta and I are finalizing plans for our upcoming workshop in California in September.  We anticipate this will fill quickly so let us know if you are interested and/or planning to attend.
• 
  
  If you are enjoying our Artists Helping Artists blog radio show--help us spread the word!  Please tell your artist friends they can call in or listen to previous recordings.  Also, if you have a blog, you can add the badge for the show to your page to let others know about it (and it gives one more reason for others to visit your blog, knowing you are posting cutting edge art info..:))(to add badge just the share button on the blog radio badge that is on the sidebar of my blog)  Thanks so much!

Happy Friday! 

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"Polka Dot Blues...." SOLD

"Polka Dot Blues..."

12 x 12in oil on museum quality panel

Okay, as you know, if you have been following my blog--I have been hanging out in Italy and France for quite some time.  With the advent of my workshop in Lexington, I felt the need to do a practice run back into the flower fields....so "Polka Dot Blues...." is the result of that.  I sat it up this still life in my studio and timed myself in order to be able to do it and talk and get it done before all attending grew tired and went home....I figured if all else failed, I would just have everyone take a bathroom break and then sneak this one onto the easel while they were away...:)) Well, as it turned out, I didn't have to do a "bait and switch"...

Here's the Lexington Crew Hard at Work......

Sometimes, it doesn't pay to show up and teach a workshop.  I mean, when you have students like Ann H. arrive with a bald head under one arm and wig in the other  hand....well, you  begin to wonder, what have I gotten myself into.....I mean, I don't want to lose my head over this---it's just a floral painting workshop.  Momma told  me there'd be days like this.  Well, not like this............

It has been a full day...workshop, demo, dodging crazy lady with bald head, blog radio (which today turned into "Artists Helping Artists Roadshow" with me on location and Leslie moving her son back home from college...:)  And I actually came home and painted one of my French scenes--which I will post another day--it has been, all the way around, a happy, satisfying day.

And I still have two more days of the workshop with great people to hang out with.  Life is abundant and full..:)  Have a beautiful Friday and do something special for yourself--you so deserve it!

P.S.  Check out "The Artist's Toolbox" if you are wanting to get serious about marketing your art.

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"Color Me French Blue.." SOLD

"Color Me French Blue.."

6 x 6in oil on museum quality panel

$200

Get quiet and the peace comes.  Words don't do it sometimes, not the way the color can.  Take the specific color of blue that adorns so many shuttered windows of southern France.  Blue shutters smothered in sunshine and a crush of roses.....when I close my eyes, I am there....:)))

Lots of things to keep you up on....like.... I am  pleased to announce that I am part of a new daily painting group called Daily Painter Originals. You can visit the new site here.

And
"Artists Helping Artists" blog radio show topic (that I am co-hosting with Leslie Saeta) for this Thursday is   Top 10 Tips for Online Marketing That Every Artist Should Know--which leads me to...

I will be doing the broadcast on my lunch break during the first day of my 3 Day Oil Painting Workshop in Lexington, KY...:)) Never a dull moment I tell ya!

And for all you artists who are thinking about launching into marketing your art, my book, The Artist's Toolbox will be out in a few days.  It is a simple, straight line book , geared for those of you wanting to get started.  I have worked to keep the information narrowed down to what I feel is the most important and have deliberately not tried to cover everything--I didn't want it to be overwhelming.  I have written it like I would to a friend (which you are) telling you what I have done and what I feel is most important.  I want it to be a great service to those just getting started on this part of their artistic dream.  And just because I like you so much....I will be holding a  drawing (from those who comment on my blog) to give away the first copy.  The contest starts today and ends when I get the first copy in my hands with which to mail out to you....This is gonna be so fun!!

And just remember--as my way of saying thanks to those who purchase my daily paintings--a gift with each painting (read on...)

And let me know, by way of words and/or photos--where's your Dreama original in your home?  I have already had some nice responses that I will be sharing in upcoming posts and my newsletter and would love to hear from you..:)! 

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"Dappled French Light" SOLD

"Dappled French Light"

6 x 6 in oil on museum quality panel

$200

The play of early morning light on a colorful French balcony are undeniably pleasant.  You can feel the crispness of the air calling you to come sit with your coffee in hand and listen to the stories the birds are telling.  Let your hair down and truly be yourself---no one here knows you --it's time for the real you to come out and play....:))

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"Bliss Blue French" SOLD

"Bliss Blue French"

6 x 6 in oil on museum quality panel

$200

Periwinkle blue is a favorite color of mine.  Obviously I am not alone in this ----  turn down any street in the south of France and you're likely to happen upon this delicious color dusted onto shutters, doors, gates and the like.  And what always makes the blue so blissful is the addition of just the right touch of pinks and reds in the way of a scented welcome. 

 On this spring day, I am heading out to the market to pick up a loaf of fresh baked--what else---French bread..:))  Later my friends (you know who you are...:)) and I will share it, with a big dollop of creamy butter, and sip our glasses of Merlot together....and since it's such a lazy, blissful afternoon.... we'll spend the rest of the day curled up in overstuffed chairs with our favorite books.  And maybe take a nap....Eddie says 16 hours of sleep a day is just the right amount....:)  This is one time I am not going to argue with Eddie....

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"Derby Time"

Living in central Kentucky, one quickly comes to realize....Derby madness is alive and well. I live in the heart of horse country, surrounded by some of the most beautiful farms imaginable. Barns nicer than many homes. Horses that earn their owners hundreds of thousands of dollars in a single day from stud fees.

Do I ride horses or know anything about them?

No.

Other people have animals that make them money.

I, on the other hand, have Eddie.

The closest I get to anything horsey would be painting silver shiny things (does that count??) So it seemed fitting in this moment of horse mania that is the Kentucky Derby, to showcase the painting "Truth", which sports the famous mint julep cup. That's as close to a horse painting you are likely to see coming from me...:)

This painting is quite large (24 x 30) compared to my blog paintings. It is loosely painted, but looks "tighter" when shrunken down to photo size--one of the things that happens online and in magazines to larger works. If you would like to see a little larger version, click here.

Happy Derby Day!

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"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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