Former Bank Employee, Marita McVeigh of Maple Glen, PA, Explains How to Become an Artist

For an English essay in college, I interviewed students, professors, and read online reviews from art educators to determine whether art is an innate talent or a skill that can be learned and developed. Varying answers were given, but most believed artistic ability to be an inborn aptitude that could not be taught.

Recently, while looking for a market for my writings of poetry and humour, I stumbled upon a website called "GreetingCardUniverse.Com." After uploading some photographs of cards, I browsed through other artists' cards. Art by Marita McVeigh, whose biography appeared near the top of GreetingCardUniverse, immediately caught my eye. Looking at her art, I thought, "Wow! This lady is good." One of her cards, an oil painting of an orange cat, seemed so real that it took a second look to ensure it wasn't a photograph.

Curious about the artist behind the paintings, I contacted Marita. She graciously consented to an interview. (If you live in Marita's area, Maple Glen, PA, her art is displayed at various art shows throughout the year, and also hangs on the walls of a local bed and breakfast and a spa.)

After hearing her story, I thought of the essay I wrote in college. After reading this interview, others-- dreaming of becoming an artist-- may realize that, with passion and determination, dreams can become reality.

Marita McVeigh Interview: January 19, 2010

Personal History:

When I was in high school (graduated 1973) I was studying the business curriculum. I remember passing the art classroom and wondering how the students knew how to paint and draw. I thought it was a magical thing within themselves that only a few possessed. After graduation I worked in the banking field and never gave art a thought. I took many classes in banking to further my knowledge and career and was quite happy and content.

Fast forward to the 1980's, I am now approaching my 30th birthday and I am home with my 2 small children. The TV was turned on to a man who was demonstrating how to make an oil painting. Just in that moment I thought, "Oh, I see how it is done" and it looked like a fun hobby to try. I mentioned this to my husband who gave me a starter set of oil paints for my 30^th birthday.

I instantly set out to try to make a painting. The set came with a book and pictures and step-by-step instructions. I followed the instructions and made a few decent paintings from that time.

I had my 3^rd child in 1990, so I had limited time to work on my new hobby. As my child got older I started taking classes in drawing and painting at the local high school (adult evening classes). I had grown tired of following instructions in a book and wanted to make my own art. It was during that time that I met a wonderful teacher, Ellen Hall. She encouraged my talents and I joined her group, The Ivyland Art Group. I painted under her direction on a weekly basis for quite a few years.

Again, I reached a point where I needed to learn more. With Ellen's encouragement I signed up at our local community college (Montgomery County Community College, Blue Bell, Pa) in their Fine Arts Program. Now I am almost finished earning my Associate of Fine Arts Degree, with only a few classes left. It was there that I received the push that I needed to grow as an artist. Draw, draw, draw; paint, paint, paint, paint! I was exposed to many different art forms from etchings, 3D work, B& W photography, illustration, painting, digital art, and of course art history. The teachers are wonderful and it has been the most fun and interesting thing that I have ever done.

Now I am 54 years old; I have been pursuing this field since I was 30.

Artistic Influences

I am mostly influenced by Nature, but I also realize that I am drawn to bring out the beauty or importance of regular people, places or things. I love bright colorful, bold artwork so I am also influenced by artists who paint in that manner. I am also interested in learning about women artists such as Mary Cassatt, Frida Kahlo, Janet Fish to name a few.

Artists in Family

I was one of 8 children. Sports and athletics was a very important part of our childhood as that is what my parents truly loved. So, no there were no other artists in my family. However as adults one of my sisters has become quite the photographer and likes to write poetry. And another sister who is a banker by day enjoys doing ceramics.

My oldest daughter is a lawyer but she has an appreciation for the arts; she won an award in high school for a watercolor painting that she did. My son has recently become quite the photographer and I have been encouraging him to try the Universal Greeting Card site too. He has beautiful shots of nature, birds, flowers and such. (During the day he works for Coca-Cola.) My youngest daughter is in her second year of college and is studying "Arts and Entertainment Management".

Public Art Shows & Displays

I have been in many local art shows here in my area, many with The Ivyland Art Group, Oreland Art Group, The Upstairs Gallery, Lahaska, Pa and most currently with The Manayunk Art Center. My art decorates the walls of a local bed & breakfast, as well as a local spa.

Other Interests

I like to garden and I just learned how to knit a basic scarf. I am a volunteer at The Manayunk Art Center where I serve on the Board of Directors as the treasurer. Also, I am finishing up my classes at the community) college, but mostly I love taking care of my home and my family.

Innate Talent or Developed Skill

I believe that anyone who has the interest in learning to draw/paint can be taught. Learning anything is in the doing. Art classes in college can have a demanding workload with different projects that are due. So you must have the initial interest and the excitement of learning that pushes you to do the work. I do believe that the community college is the place where I learned the most because I was pushed to work hard and face weekly critiques. I believe that a person's brain is wired to learning certain things. For example I would make a terrible engineer or mathematician even if I went to school to learn those things.

Favorite Pieces of Art Created
There are a few favorites. The first one that comes to mind is an oil painting that I did called "Little Faces". It is a painting of pansies in a vase. The painting makes me feel connected to my mom who has passed away. She used to always comment on the pansies in the springtime and how they look like they have little faces. I have given this painting to my oldest daughter as a gift as it has a deep remembrance of her grandmom as well. Also the painting was one of the first paintings of my own art that I have done which makes it meaningful as well.

Another piece that is a favorite is an assemblage or sculpture piece that I did called "Forest Life". I took a 3-D design class as part of my studies. We had to collect all sorts of wood from driftwood to old broom handles, anything made from wood. We then had to learn to use saws to cut the wood into different shapes and sizes. We had to make a large shadow box also out of wood and assemble the pieces in an artistic fashion with in the box. We were not allowed to paint the finished piece, only stain it if necessary. This is one of my favorites because it is so unique. I won 2^nd place in the college art show in the sculpture category which was very exciting., especially since I am mostly a painter.

One other special piece of art is an etching I did called "London Sky." To make the image I used ribbons and ponytail holders as the template for the design that I etched onto the plate. This also won an award at the college show "First place-printmaking" I was inspired to make this from a trip to London.

Otherwise I just love to paint and always my most recent painting seems to be my favorite at the time!

Taste in Art

I like colorful expressive art. I like trying new things, new colors, and new ideas. For some reason I was initially attracted to oil painting and I really don't know why. Perhaps it's the creamy texture. I feel good when I am painting and I simply think it is fun. Then when you have something to show for it in the end I feel a sense of accomplishment.

Marketing

Over the years I have involved myself in local art groups and entered their shows. In the past few years with my digital camera and the Internet I now have my own website (www.artworkbymarita.com) which feels like my own little store. I have also uploaded my art to free Print on Demand sites such as Red Bubble, who will make prints of your work and sell them for you.

I have been making my own little notecards and canvas prints on my computer and have sold them to mostly friends and relatives.

But I am most excited about the on-line Greeting Card Universe site that I recently found out about. The reason is that I think this will reach people who are not looking to buy art but a simple greeting card. I think I have found my niche here and I hope to become successful with this new venture.

Typical Prices

My paintings run anywhere from around $100 to $400 depending on the medium and size. I even offer small watercolor paintings (unframed) at only $20 right now.

Compensation
This is never enough to compensate for the work that I put into each piece but I like to think that any money earned helps to support my art habit! Usually I break even or loose $ at the end of the year.

Other comments:

My studio is in my home in my laundry room. I have a large laundry room with a utility sink and a tile floor that I don't mind getting it messy with paint, Even sometimes I use my washer to set paintings on, so that has lots of paint drops on it as well!

I also will be venturing into teaching beginning drawing/painting classes at the Manyunk Art Center in the Spring.

Purchasing Marita's Art

Marita's art can be puchased from her website:

artworkbymarita.com

Contact Information:
marita1112@comcast.net
Marita McVeigh
1748 Ludwell Dr.
Maple Glen, Pa 19002
215-654-0975