New member from Wyoming

[Mara Schasteen]

Good day. I am very honored to be a juried member of this forum. I was approved almost a year ago, and I was so thrilled to begin posting paintings for critique and to become an active member of the forum. Within days of becoming a member, we had a sudden family tragedy that pulled my heart away from the studio for a while. So, this is finally my moment to introduce myself.

My name is Mara. I have been a quiet associate member of this forum since 2002, posting a few pieces here and there over the years, but mostly devoting my life to raising my children. My husband Ryan has been very instrumental in helping me pursue my dream of being a full time professional portrait and landscape painter. He has made it possible for me to be a mother of 3 young children (plus one on the way!) while at the same time brushing up on my skills and getting my work out there for others to enjoy.

As I indicated before, the last year has produced a scarce few portraits out of my studio, but I plan continue my work and grow as much as possible in the years to come.

The attached work is my latest portrait, begun last summer, and completed earlier this year after a 6 month break. Title: "Lost in Imagination." Dimensions: 36" x 48."

Thanks!
Mara Schasteen

[Dan Landrie]

Welcome Mara I remember this painting from when you first posted it, it really turned out well, look forward to seeing more!

[Patricia Joyce]

Welcome, Mara,
This is beautiful. Happy you have pulled through a year w/ little painting and are on the other side! Looking forward to seeing more of your work. Tell me, when do you paint? Early morning? Evenings? or Weekends or all? I am always interested in how other manage career/family and painting.
Patty

[Mara Schasteen]

This could be a whole separate thread, I think. How do you manage being an artist and a mom? Patricia, I paint at naptime. Also, my family pulls together and helps me disappear into the studio sometimes. My oldest plays with the youngest. My husband cooks dinner. Still, my work time is planned around everyone else's schedule in the family and I usually wind up getting the most work done after the kids have gone to bed. Also, I have a part time job as a financial analyst to consider. I think right now the toughest challenge is having the energy to paint while pregnant. I like my sleep.

I wonder if there is a resource out there for women in my shoes. If anyone has any suggestions, I would love to hear them! Thanks for your compliments!

[Allan Rahbek]

Welcome to the forum, Mara.

I like your painting, it has a nice blend of figurative and paint action.

[Mary Sparrow]

Beautiful work, welcome. Also, congratulations on the baby. I stopped at three, bless you.

[Thomasin Dewhurst]

It's nice to meet you, Mara. I also paint during naptimes. I mostly get three hours a day, but on rare occasions I get six. I only have one child, though. Nice painting.