Why Do I Paint? by Mary Beth Brath

Pinchot State Park (plein air)

5x7" Acrylic on Canvas

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Hmm...Why do I paint?  Let me count the reasons...millions.

When I painted this scene at a local State Park in 2009, I was not alone.  My son John, then age 11,  sat with me on a blanket and we painted together. It was a wonderful day that I will never forget.

In 2011, a tragedy happened on the lake when a man drowned.  Someone I know tried to save him but it was too late. It deeply effected many people.

Last week, the wife and daughter of the man that passed away were at my gallery.  His wife bought the painting to remember how much her husband loved the lake.

Life moves so fast.  As an artist, I paint and paint and paint. Then I paint some more. It is very time consuming and leaves me mentally exhausted.  I could be getting a regular paycheck and paid vacations if I would just conform to the corporate world.

The thing is, I am an artist. Why do I paint? I must paint. It has been in my soul since childhood when my Mother sat and colored with me. I have many personal reasons that I paint, but when I realize that total strangers share in my paintings...that seems to be the ultimate purpose.  I have found the true reasons are much larger than myself.

Plein Air in the Evening at Pinchot State Park by Mary Beth Brath

On May 29th, our family went to the lake to canoe and explore.  When we went to unload, we realized we forgot the oars.  My husband headed back home, the boys played and fished and I set up my easel OF COURSE.

I finished most of the painting before my husband returned - about 30 minutes - I was in my own race against time.

I came back to shore with my canoe a little before dark so I could finish the painting.  My son took a picture of me at the easel.  The next morning, I cleaned up the colors in the water and called it complete.

This is the third painting of this same area. All are different. One sold last year, one is in my home and this one will go out to one of my galleries.

8x10" Acrylic on Canvas
Pinchot State Park.

Create as a Family

Gifford Pinchot State Park 2009

Acrylic, 5" x 7", plein air

Currently Available through Jeffery van Boskirk

John putting finishing touches on his piece.

We all have a life outside of the gallery scene. My husband and I have 4 boys. I share my home studio with my children so we can be together. While I paint or frame, they can do homework, play with legos, brio sets and army men and even paint/draw at their easel. We go hiking, canoeing, fishing and exploring together as a family. All the while, Mom has her camera and art supplies close at hand.


This day, the group of plein air artists that I paint with went to Gifford Pinchot State Park in South Central Pennsylvania. It was summer and the children were out of school...so...all of the boys came with me. We set up our area away from the other artists so we would not disturb their "right brain mode". It was an amazing day. We all had such a wonderful time. I sat on the blanket with one of my sons and completed a small work on masonite. He completed his scene on heavy paper for acrylics. The other boys fished and played near the water.


If you have never heard of Betty Anglin Smith and you think you can't start to pursue your artistic dreams until the children are grown, I encourage you to look her up on google. She has been such an inspiration for me the last 4 years.

CARPE DIEM - MB

DAILY PAINTER OF PENNSYLVANIA

http://www.marybethbrath.com/

http://www.dailypaintersofpennsylvania.blogspot.com/