Meet the Artist

Ask the Artist: Q&A with Maria

Define art in 5 words or less:
Light, color and form 

Were you always an artist? - Why did you initially get into painting - what motivated you?
I always knew art would be part of my life. I think the Crayola box of 64 crayons started my passion for art. I loved to receive a new box and couldn't wait to rearrange the box by color and value! I still do the same with my pastel box today. True disclosure, I did not like my siblings using my crayons and mixing them up (especially sharpening both ends!).
My parents often took us to the Everhart Museum on Sunday afternoons. I loved seeing the artwork and the different styles. My high school art teacher, Lois Dreater, was a significant influence on me choosing to study art in college. In her classes, I learned the joy of being in a creative environment with other artists. This is still important to me and I meet with a small group of fellow artists a few Sundays each month to draw from life. I am always amazed by the variations of our interpretations of the figure.

What mediums have you experimented with?
I started out with charcoal and oil and gravitated to Carbathello (pastel) pencils in college.  It was natural progression from pencils to hard pastels and eventually to soft pastels.

What kind of environment do you enjoy working in? (home/nature, music/silence, etc)
My favorite place to paint is outside or "plein air"! There is a peace that comes over me when I set up the easel on a beach or along a lake. When I paint on-site, I do little or any reworking back in the studio. I will often take photos and complete small color studies on site and use these as reference for larger paintings done in the studio. When I paint at home, I always have music on. When I am on location, I would rather hear nature's sounds. OK, I also enjoy a glass of wine while working too!
My outside set up includes a portable easel, umbrella to fasten on the easel for the sun, small table for the pastel box, lots of clips to secure everything from the wind and insect spray! Everything has straps so I can make one trip from the car. Pastel is easily marred by water so if it starts to rain, I am done!
I live in Madison Township where there are lots of farms, creeks, rolling hills and mountain views for subjects. I am always amazed how the changing light impacts a scene. The same location is entirely different at various times during the day.

What are you passionate about?
Family!

Tell us about them!
The two-legged family members include a husband, two daughters, son, son-in-law and twin grandbaby girls. The four-legged family members are a Westie and a Beagle.

How does art make its way into your daily life?
It's everywhere! I am always composing a scene or mapping out light, middle and dark tones. I can keep myself amused sketching someone in a meeting or doing a quick thumbnail sketch. True confession - sometimes it's hard to drive when I really want to look out the window.

What is your favorite place to create?
Anywhere outside on a warm day.

Has your artwork been featured at any events?
There was quite a gap in exhibiting my work while raising my children. In the last few years I have participated in First Friday in Scranton and Moscow. I will be exhibiting my work at First Friday May 5th at Adezzo in Scranton.

Any inspiration or role models to help you along the way?
My favorite artists are Mary Cassatt, Berthe Morisot, and Edgar Degas who all worked in pastel. Cassatt was born in PA. I especially like their fresh approach to the application of pastel and use of color.
I have studied with several nationally known pastelists including Margaret Dyer and Susan Oglivie. Margaret's work inspires my use of temperature (warm and cool), value, and the application of pastel. Susan's work influenced my use of composition and design.

What advice do you have for aspiring artists?
Invest in yourself and buy the best supplies you can afford.