About The Artist:

MURALS & Custom ART painted especially for you with Imagination!

www.MariasIdeas.com

412-481-6556

Maria DeSimone-Prascak opened her shop (Maria's Ideas)perched on the South Side slopes in 1982. Her business evolved and Maria has become a muralist, trompe l'oeil artist, and decorative painter with a passion for her art. For many years she has been designing and creating custom art giving her a tremendous amount of experience painting everything you could imagine, using many different mediums and techniques. Maria began her journey filled with creativity, and enthusiasm for art the first time she held a crayon in her hand. Surrounded by a family of artists she was constantly inspired to be create. (Maria's sister Joanie is a nationally recognized wildlife jeweler: www.SundanceCreations.com)

Maria studied art in high school, and at the age of nineteen opened a shop in Pittsburgh PA on the South Side Slopes painting Pittsburgh jackets, clothing, greeting cards and signs. She also enjoyed teaching air-brush classes at her former high school. Unfortunately chronic tendonitis was the result of twelve years of air-brushing. Maria was forced to rest her hand and close her shop, but accepted this situation as an opportunity to follow her life-long dream of painting BIG! Since childhood, she yearned to paint murals. She picked up some paint brushes and pursued a decorative painting career.

Embellishing a home, office, canvas with a trompe l'oeil mural or decorative painting gives Maria's artistic energy a chance to soar! She is especially inspired by her love of nature, gardening and historic architecture and old world design. Many of the decorative borders and murals she paints bring the outdoors in. For instance, garden and golf scenes, flower pots, climbing wisteria, topiaries or wildflowers dancing with a picket fence, visited by a hummingbird or garden fairy.
But, Maria's Ideas are endless, gargoyles and cherubs, giant urns, castles, stone arches, columns, wild animals, pets, beaches & butterflies, are just a sample of the many possibilities.
A mural can add character to a room, for example, architectural detailing. It can offer an escape from common surroundings, expressing one's individuality. Skillfully painted murals can expand our horizons catering to our need for fantasizing and dreaming, adding an extra dimension to a world in which we can let our imaginations run wild.

Each project is estimated, designed and painted by Maria, many require research and much preparation, which includes custom color matching. Maria works closely with her clients and together they develop the unique ideas. Many murals include personalized touches giving interest or special meaning to the artwork. Scaled renderings and a job agreement are presented to each client for approval. Maria has successfully taken on a variety of technically difficult jobs, which include luxurious baths, kitchens, dining rooms, children's rooms, game rooms, ceilings and balconies.

Maria's art takes her into many incredible homes in and around Pittsburgh giving her the opportunity to work with fascinating people. Maria's Ideas have been featured in designer show houses, local television spots, newspapers and national magazines. She works with designers, architects and builders on commercial jobs in addition to the numerous residential jobs for private clients. Maria's Ideas is fully insured and uses only quality paints and materials to produce her art.

In addition to painting murals Maria does accept commissions for CUSTOM ART such as paintings on stretched canvas which can be hung framed or unframed, canvas murals which can be pasted onto walls or ceilings making them removable. Painted Furniture and more!!!

Maria was honored this year as an exclusive member of
NAPEW-National Association of Professional & Executive Women and added to the 2007-2008 Registry For "Women Of Excellence". Maria was recently named "Woman of the Year" selected from thousands of women in her field. Honorees are chosen based on outstanding accomplishments, leadership and service and will nationally represent their industry in the "Women of Excellence" Registry.
Maria is also very active in her community.She is a member of the South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association, and a board member of The Hilltop Economic Development Corporation.
She is currently working with the HEDC in their efforts to revitalize the neighborhood and business district.(where she grew up and lives with her husband) Maria has donated her time to paint murals for 8 vacant store fronts. The positive reactions to the colorful images was instant-fueling Maria's desire to continue with additional projects. She also donates her time to create artwork, murals and signs for events at her church.

For Art by MARIA call: MARIA'S IDEAS 412-481-6556
or go to the contact page www.MariasIdeas.com

Maria's husband Johno is an artist, commissioned to paint a portrait for President George H.W. Bush Sr. per his request-for the George Bush Presidential Library & Museum at Texas A&M! His "Hollyhocks" print was featured on the set of NBC's Will & Grace finale on May 18th,Heinz Field painting in the Steeler's office lobby.
5 of his prints are in the NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.
Johno's ART Studio is OPEN Thursdays Noon-6PM, Wed.-Fri. by chance or appointment. Located on top of the historic South Side Slopes - previously Maria's shop!
at Johno's web site: www.JohnosArt.com

MARIA'S IDEAS

412-481-6556

www.MariasIdeas.com