Dolores' love of art revealed itself in elementary school, poring over tomes of ancient Greek sculpture. By the age
of 11, she was sketching figures and nudes from photographs.
While attending Santa Rosa Junior College, Dolores received her AA in art which enabled her to continue her study of the human figure by drawing and painting from live models.
At Sonoma State University she received a BA in Geography with a specialized major in mapping services. Pursuing an alternate career as a geologic draftsman -- working on slide presentations and maps -- her love of art continued with evening art courses.
While living in East Africa for three years, she was inspired by the beautiful people and wildlife there and painted them in a semi-abstract style. This artwork is currently in private collections in Kenya, Israel and the United States.
Dolores is captivated by the works of the masters, especially Rembrandt for capture of light and dark and John Singer Sargent for his loose style -- combining impressionism with realism.
This interest led her to train at the atelier of Virgil Elliott 1, a renowned portrait artist, who paints in the style of the old masters. Virgil became her mentor for three and a half years. Dolores trained with him and traveled to Paris with a group he led to study the masters there.
She has also attended workshops with the internationally known artist, Bob Gerbracht 2, and has attended classes and demonstrations at the Portrait Society of America conventions 3.
In the last two years, Dolores has become interested in landscapes. She is inspired by the style of Monet and is now experimenting with impressionistic landscapes both in the studio and Plein Air. Painting from life has become her major inspiration.
References: 1 http://www.virgilelliott.com/
2 http://www.bobgerbracht.com/
3 http://www.portraitsociety.org/
Recent Art Shows:
WestAmerica Bank, Sebastopol, CA
July 15, 2009 - September 17, 2009
Art Workshop of Sonoma County
Apple Blossom Festival Art Show April 24-26, 2009
Sebastopol Center for the Arts
Members Show December 12, 2008 - January 4, 2009
"Beauty Heals the Soul" A Benefit Concert and Art Show
Paradise Ridge Winery Santa Rosa, CA October 18, 2007
Local Art Benefit Celebration
Open House Art Exhibit Sebastopol, CA August 18, 2007
Active memberships in:
Sebastopol Center for the Arts
Art Workshop of Western Sonoma County
Monday Morning Painters (Plein Air)
