Dorothy Riley
While art has always been a part of my life, in recent years it has become a consuming passion. A self-taught artist, I love learning new techniques that challenge the upper reaches of my abilities. I live by the philosophy that the only two processes in life are growing and dying, and that as long as I am learning; I am holding the second stage at bay.
I love painting beautiful scenes that beg to be visited, and simple, ordinary people that evoke deep emotional responses or provoke thought from the viewer. I begin each painting by identifying my subject, then by making a mental statement that I try to incorporate into the painting. Sometimes my paintings succeed in telling a story, and when they do, I feel a sense of satisfaction. When I paint, I feel as if I am in complete control of my world; a world filled with honesty and compassion. I try to make every canvass express the power of this energy.
In the years to come I wish to be recognized for my honest yet respectful treatment of my subjects. So many things inspire me, everything from news reports to poetry, to topics of conversations. Everyday activities, familiar objects, and places both real and imagined find their way on to my canvasses.
As a member of several local and national artist associations including the Coast Guard Fine Art Program, my art has been exhibited throughout the country as well as in Vlissingen, Netherlands, and one piece has reached the permanent collection of the West Virginia Division of Culture and History Museum.
