With each passing season, the Paisley Parrot in St. James City has something new for its visitors. This year, a new section of the store is dedicated to artist and gallery owner Pat Doerman.

Doerman’s work can best be described as whimsical folkart using watercolors and pastels. Her designs are vivid and tend to evoke smiles to those who see them.

“Many of my paintings are inspired by a historic perspective. They are often times reflections of the antiques we have here in the gallery,” said Doerman. “I am a self-trained artist which has given me the opportunity to develop a style that is truly my own and many of the people who come into the gallery seem to enjoy what I do.”

Lining the walls of the new gallery area are numerous originals and limited edition prints produced by Doerman who said that they are not odd sizes like those found in other galleries.

“All of my work is done to fit standard frames so that anyone buying one can get a frame that is inexpensive and doesn’t have to be custom made,” she said.

In addition to the wall art, Doerman also has painted images on T-shirts, handbags, bowls, glasses and other items and is often asked to do custom jobs as well.

“There have been many times when a customer will come in and see something in one of my paintings and then asks me to reproduce it on a set of wine glasses,” said Doerman. “Just recently I had a woman come in with a piece of slate and ask me to paint it for her. In return, she gave me several pieces of slate to keep. It was a good trade and I am always happy to fulfill requests.”

In addition to her own works of art, Doerman also displays other items in her shop. When visiting the Paisley Parrot, customers will find a blend of hand crafted items along side of antique collectables and outside, in the tea garden are individual as well as flats of seasonal flowers for sale.

“On occasion, I invite some of my customers in to sit and relax in the garden area,” Doerman said. “We just sit and enjoy the fresh air, flowers, tea and scones. People seem to like the garden area and think of it as a great place to unwind and chat with neighbors and friends. As for the gallery, we like to say we have a little of everything.”

In addition to the tea’s, Paisley Parrot also is host to the annual Art on the Green celebration.

“We have been doing Art on the Green for five years now and visitors as well as the artists have a great time,” Doerman said. “This year we had 11 artists showing their work and were on hand to talk with people about their art.”

This event is by invitation only for the artists and attracts a variety of mediums ranging from paintings to clothing and jewelry items.

The Paisley Parrot is open from November to May on Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 282-0331.