Sisterhood Spotlight

Have you always had a knack for art and creativity?

My passion for art and creativity is deeply rooted in my soul. As a child, I loved coloring books and paint by number sets. I was especially interested in animals and I was a horse crazy little girl. I remember having a step-by-step “How to Draw Horses and Dogs” book that I read endlessly. I found great pleasure copying the drawings in the book, thus teaching myself how to draw what I see.

One of my earliest memories as a budding artist was in elementary school. I would make sketches of dogs, and some of my classmates liked them so much that I “sold” these little sketches for 10 cents each. One Christmas when I was quite young, I received my first paint set, some brushes, and small canvases. I quickly filled them all with images of horses, flowers, bunny rabbits…some I still have with me today. I smile when I look back on these experiences, remembering the mind of a child who had the freedom to make art for its own sake without any expectations. I have always had the desire to create. I would draw, paint, cross-stich, sew my own clothes…the list is endless. I found pleasure in both the processes and the finished products.

What inspired your paintings, “Rodeo Pair” and “At the Tractor Pull”?

I am particularly fond of rural life and farm activities. My family was in the retail business, so I did not grow up with a first-hand experience. However, at age 10 I started horseback riding lessons and soon afterward, my family was able to purchase a horse for me. I loved that horse and was constantly begging to be driven to the barn 30 minutes from home (it would not seem like a long drive today, but back then it was definitely a drive to the country)! I spent many hours at the barn, and to this day I still love the scent of fresh cut hay and wide-open spaces.

The paintings “Rodeo Pair” and “At the Tractor Pull” reflect this inner love. “Rodeo Pair” was born from a visit to the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, VA during a barrel racing competition. Watching the horses and riders prepare for their turn in the arena, I was attracted to one pair, a young woman and her Palomino, because of their excitement and energy combined with such confidence and control.

“At the Tractor Pull” is a scene from the annual Field Day of the Past held in Amelia, Virginia. The 3-day event features farm life activities and the tractor and truck pull competitions are a particular highlight. I find it very interesting to see the style, color, and strength of the antique tractors—in their day they were the backbone of a farm.

What was it like to participate in the first ever installment of the Art Experience at the Executive Mansion with your featured paintings?

It is truly an honor to have been invited to exhibit two of my paintings in the Art Experience. I am pleased to be able to represent the beauty of my home state of Virginia and to show viewers the bountiful landscapes and array of pursuits in our Commonwealth. The artists represented in the collection truly comprise a community of excellence with their range of talents and achievements in the art realm.

What advice would you give to less experienced artists who want to improve their skills?

Every person has a creative talent of some sort. People shouldn’t say that “they can’t draw, not even a stick figure”. We all have the means to some degree to create a beautiful expression of how we see and feel about the world around us. We just need to be shown how to cultivate our inner artist. Instructional opportunities are abundant. We are very fortunate to have many opportunities for people to engage in learning artistic skills. The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond has a Studio School that offers an extensive array of classes for adults, teens, and children. I am an instructor at the Studio School, where the course catalogs have year-round offerings in painting, photography, pottery, creative writing and more. There are also many other educational venues throughout the state, and each curriculum always offers a course for beginners.

Outside of structured classes, the best way to improve is through practice, practice and more practice. Constant drawing and painting, experimenting and taking chances, and developing a willingness to make mistakes and learn from them is so important for the growth of an artist.

What resources would you suggest to Virginia’s Women + Girls to experience more art?

To experience more art is to immerse oneself in it… read books, visit museums, buy art supplies and just do it! Virginia is home to the highly acclaimed Virginia Museum of Fine Arts which has several valuable collections that span the art movements throughout history, as well as world class traveling exhibits. In the museum, one can get up close to the artwork to see the brushwork and color firsthand, rather than just looking at it in books. The museum presents many educational programs and lectures as well. Virginia also boasts many art festivals and plein air events where spectators can meet and watch artists as they demonstrate their techniques. The artist community, whether locally or nationally, is a very welcoming and friendly group of individuals—we are always happy to share ideas and demonstrate techniques to others.

About Maria Reardon

Maria Reardon paints the world around her. She loves being outdoors and finds inspiration in natural and rural life. From the mountains to the shore and the countryside in between, her home state of Virginia is close to her heart. Her passion is painting on location (plein air), using vibrant and diverse colors in an impressionistic fashion to represent the light and mood of a particular location.

Maria is a Virginia native and received her formal education from Virginia Commonwealth University, earning a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in illustration. She continued her study of the portrait and the landscape with nationally known artists. Her work has been both exhibited and shown in private collections—she has also been published in art journals and received top awards during plein air events.

Maria regularly participates in plein air events, where she is represented by Cabell Gallery in Lexington and Franco’s Fine Clothier in Richmond. Maria also enjoys teaching and is an instructor for both the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Studio School and the Tuckahoe Womens’ Club in Richmond, Virginia. When not painting outdoors, she works from her studios in Rockville VA and Goshen VA. To see more of Maria’s work, visit her website.