MaryBeth Printz

The thread weaving my paintings together is my ability to illustrate my own stories through dramatic visual imagery with a hint of magic that evokes the mysteriousness of everyday life. Magical realism gives me the freedom to paint narratives inspired by the ordinary, with a place for the unexpected.

  

My practice combines elements from my own experiences, photographs, historical references, and imagination. In reinterpreting traditional images such as the female figure, subjects and settings are redefined and infused with emotions such as isolation or hope. Through the manipulation of historically recognizable images, I highlight the connection of these issues in modern life, particularly those relevant to women.

  

Creating art has given me a sense of accomplishment, self-discovery, and an attempt at healing. It is a haven for me to express my emotions, events in my life, or to describe a moment in time where there are no words to convey a story. My images remind us that there is so much more to human life than what we can see and understand. Through the depiction of honest personal narratives, I attempt to nurture acceptance of the difficult aspects of life for the viewer as well.