Knowledge is Golden


Professional artists love the opportunity for a ‘hands-on’ workshop with Sean Michael Felix, one of the best gold sign artists in the Midwest and the US.

Everyone’s creativity was enhanced by the beautiful setting and free flow of information: an urban ‘artist’s retreat’ experience.

Even the cats played their part to bring an ultra-relaxed vibe into the space.

These artisans in glass, tattooing, custom finishing, and sign-making come here to play, take these techniques to their businesses, and make them their own.

It feels great to be able to impart such knowledge and create artwork that adds much-needed beauty to this world.

Reach out to have a real artist experience. Feed your soul by creating something beautiful!

Sean Michael Felix Illumination Art & Design 26oo W North Ave. Chicago, Il 60647. Email: smfelixart@yahoo.com. Phone: 815-922-0959. Hours by appointment.

I Love What I Do

Love what you’ve done!

These words usually accompany a new hairdo or living room design.

But this was the response from a father, freshly grieving the loss of his only son,

viewing what I created from the candid image he sent me.

These natural words really meant a lot to me on an emotional level,

knowing what this picture meant to him.



I love what I do

in creating something personal and special for those who are bereaved:

remembering and honoring their loved ones in contemplative art.


If this idea ‘sparks’ a feeling for the need

to see a treasured photo transformed into a memorial portrait,

I would love to help make it a reality.

May your loved one’s memory be a blessing.

Group Photo



His dad asked for an updated image.

But rather than take a new one,

I sought an expression with staying power,

containing the potential

to stand in lieu of contact for months,

and soothe the pangs

of conscience and distance

until they met again.



For help to create (or restore) an image of the loved ones in your family,

reach out through the Contact Page for a personal consultation.

I look forward to your call.

All the best,

Dorothy Perry is a Chicago portrait photographer specializing in custom family portraits, modern headshots, & personal branding for women and executives.

 Contact her for commissioned work here. Thank you.

Set the Tone


A local young bride’s wedding photographs are now ready for her home.

I was extremely pleased to have two heirloom frames to work with: these images look amazing in antique settings!

Another pleasure was in working with a younger person’s style of communication and relating.

So lovely to meet another who values images that hold an vibrant personal energy for her home. I whole-heartedly agree.


Dorothy Perry is a Chicago portrait photographer specializing in custom family portraits, modern headshots, & personal branding for women and executives.

 Contact her for commissioned work here. Thank you.

Words From Friends

Sometimes, someone

captures a beautiful,

evocative idea

to inspire the week ahead.

This quote by Epicurus

on a friends’ Instagram post

‘speaks’ to me today.


Do not spoil

what you have

by desiring

what you have not.

Remember that

what you now have

was once among

the things

you only hoped for.


After years of chasing this dream

through the ups and downs of life,

I feel blessed and grateful

every time I look through the lens

at someone who trusts me

to capture a beautiful, personal moment

of their private lives.

If I can be of service to you or yours,

I appreciate meeting and working with you.


Dorothy Perry is a Chicago portrait photographer

specializing in custom family portraits, modern headshots,

& beautiful personal branding.

Contact her for commissioned work here. 

Original Face

Cease practice based

on intellectual understanding,

pursuing words and

following after speech.

Learn the backward step

that turns your light inward

to illuminate within.

Body and mind of themselves

will drop away,

and your original face

will be manifest. — Dogen


This ancient poem

holds the energy

of what I choose to see

in the world around me –

and what I seek to create.

Genuine. Inspired. Human.


Contact Dorothy at Perry Portrait Art

to commission new images and portraits

for the year to come!✨


Notice What You Notice

I have always had an affinity for quirky, unconventional heroes in cartoons, books and movies.

It has taken me years to understand why these heroes attract me so.  The skill of using this type of attention and focus is the result of a system called reticular activation.

Imagine thinking of a special color, then slowly but surely starting to see that special color around you, and in many things you see throughout the day. The reticular activator filters and curates the pictures, patterns, and connections you are subconsciously thinking about.

Now I know that ‘as within, so without’, I use it now to help me notice what I am noticing – as a way to confirm if I am indeed moving towards the goals I seek.

My interest in cartoons and paladin-type heroes are that they embody a creative mindset, a never-give-up attitude, and ability to adjust with zen immediacy to whatever comes their way, all the while maintaining their autonomy and personal inner values.

My ‘mentors’ walk out on clouds without falling, stretch like rubber, find clothes and wigs wherever they are needed, and never give up, even if at first they seem to lose!

The reticular activator is also the visible language of the inner spirit. I enclose an inspirational piece from another mentor, Napoleon Hill. 

A most beneficial use of time is silent meditation, while searching for guidance from within.

We all experience rare moments when a blinding revelation comes to us, when we suddenly see things differently than ever before. Usually, however, we learn the truth about ourselves gradually, over long periods of time, from quiet introspection.

We are all spiritual, but some of us have learned to tap more effectively into the great strength that resides in the spiritual portion of ourselves.

The spirit is not boisterous and noisy. Getting in touch with your spiritual self demands tranquility and solitude.

Make sure you dedicate a portion of every day to thought and study, to think and reflect upon your life. Choose a time and place that best allow you to relax your mind and devote your thoughts to reflection.

It is my hope that these thoughts and methods will help assist you in your search for purpose in your life.

All the best,

On the Easel

Today’s On The Easel is an infant’s portrait in natural light.

Very small infants are absolutely lovely while they observe their world around them –

I love how they embody their innocence, essential energy, and innate purity.

If you are interested in commissioning a custom portrait for your family, yourself

or as a gift for a treasured client, contact me so we can talk about how to make yours special.

I’d love to help see you surrounded by beautiful, meaningful personal art of the people that matter in the places that are ‘home’ to you.

All the best,


Dorothy Perry is a Chicago portrait photographer specializing in custom family portraits, modern headshots, & personal branding for women and executives.

 Contact her for commissioned work here. Thank you.

To Your Health

My personal portraits focus on enjoyment & contemplation.

To that end, I remove canes, walkers, and aids for standing in the final framed portrait.

It is not a denial of their current age or health situation,

but a focus on a personal image that celebrates

a life-affirming vision of wholeness.

Always to your health, Dorothy

Dorothy Perry of Perry Portrait Art captures beautiful portraits that celebrate the best of you.

Contact her here.