18.04.23 02:42 AM

Mara Light was born in 1970 in Brooklyn, New York. Her artistic journey began early in life within the home. Creativity was always encouraged by my parents says the daughter of two artists. Her mother studied painting in New York and her father studied photography at the Art Center College of Design along with an apprenticeship under acclaimed photo-grapher Bernice Abbott. ìI was often drawing and being creative in some form or another, says Mara.

In her high school years, she started to understand the extra-ordinary power art would have on her life. Art was a way to escape into my own world, a place where beauty and deep emotions had a voice. It was easier to paint an emotion rather than speak it. She began to take Saturday High classes at the Art Center College of Design throughout her teenage years. This education continued after high school with night classes where Mara would create her portfolio which resulted in an acceptance to attend the Art Center.

Mara completed her BFA in 1993 though frustrated by some of the unconventional schools of thought throughout the Art Center faculty. Mara states, Once I realised that painting the figure was what I loved, it became clear to me that conceptual art was the dominating force in the school and figurative painting wasn't widely accepted. Through close association with the Brentwood Art Center, 1999-2001, Mara found an environment where her figurative work was nurtured and she decided to return to the path she loved most.

The central theme of her original artwork is the expression of the figure with a focus on the female form using light to reveal the mood she wants to convey. Over the past several years, Mara has developed a body of work that is both deeply moving and evocative of the emotional qualities and beauty of each subject. Within this genre, Mara is constantly evolving and dedicated to creating paintings that remain fresh and speak to the viewer on many levels.

Her work is shown in galleries, charity events and has been commissioned by dozens of private and public collectors. Most days Mara can be found painting in her studio in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Mara Light