St. James resident featured in Chamber Mangrove Gallery
Bright, whimsical works of art adorn the corner of what is known as the Mangrove Gallery through the month of January. The watercolors by St. James City artist, Pat Doerman will be highlighted through the month for both residents and visitors to enjoy at the Chamber of Commerce Welcome Center.
Doerman, her husband Alan and their two Scottish terriers, Cassie and Toby, reside in St. James City for eight months out of the year where they own and operated the Paisley Parrot art gallery and antique shop. All of the art work in the shop was produced by Doerman and many of the antiques have served as her inspiration.
“I want people to smile when they see my work,” said Doerman. “Helping people keep a positive attitude about the life around them is what I hope they sense when they see my work.”
While not new to the world of art, it has only been in recent years that she has fully dedicated herself to developing her craft.
“I have always taken, and still do take, art classes and continue to learn all of the time,” Doerman said. “In fact, currently I am working on a new technique that involves using pastels and treating them like watercolors. It is a great way to create an image and by using various types of papers, you can achieve many different affects.”
A long-time collector of antiques, Doerman’s art often reflects the objects in her collections.
“Many of the items you see in my wall art are inspired by antiques. One of my most popular comes from an antique postcard that was once distributed in Florida,” Doerman said. “It depicts an image of a woman dressed in a bathing suit and standing in an orange grove. It is so popular, I am now selling my own postcards with this picture.”
Doerman and her husband spend the summer months at their northern home in Buckeye Lake, Ohio, but for eight months out of the year reside in St. James City where they own and operate the Paisley Parrot.
“Our shop combines an area where I display my art as well as antiques and in the yard we have seasonal plants and flowers for sale,” said Doerman. “Helping me in the store is my father, Charles, who just loves greeting visitors and chatting with them. We do our best to make everyone who comes in feel as though they are family.”
In addition to participating in Art Night each month throughout the winter season, the Paisley Parrot also stages “Art on the Green” each spring. Slated for Saturday. March 19, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. dozens of artists using a variety of mediums, will gather on the front lawn of the Paisley Parrot in St. James City to demonstrate and display their work.
“This annual event has not only attracted more artists each year, but more visitors as well,” Doerman said. “It is a great time for artists to share with each other and the public their work and there is always something new and interesting to see.”
Doerman’s work will be on display at the Chamber Welcome Center at 3640 Pine Island Road in Matlacha through the month of January. The Paisley Parrot, located at 3269 Stringfellow Road in St. James City is open from Nov. 1, until May 1, Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call the Paisley Parrot at 282-0331.