News Nearby: Artist Goes Out on a Limb for Dormont Library

This 48-year-old artist still climbs trees, real and imaginary; her most recent was at the Dormont Public Library.

Incorporated in 1946, the  has been seeking new and innovative ways of receiving donations—that’s where Maria DeSimone Prascak comes in.

But when she’s painting, Prascak doesn’t always have a plan, her work evolves. Her process involves a swirl of color and design and no, those cupcake pans aren’t for baking.

When you are as deep into color as Prascak is, it’s easy to see why she uses a cupcake pan as her paint pallet.

“When I was a kid, I was always painting or drawing,” Prascak said. “My favorite thing in the whole wide world was a box of crayons and a piece of paper. I can still remember sitting at the kitchen table and everybody would be watching T.V. or whatever—and I’m still like that!”

From salvaging old water color paintings at flea markets, making earrings out of fallen tree branches, or doing custom paintings and murals, multi-tasking is a skill that carried over into Prascak’s adult life.

“There aren’t enough hours in the day,” Prascak said. “My ideas are always flying. They are there all the time.”

Those ideas are what keep Maria as motivated as she is and working on as many projects as she has done, one of which was a mural completed just recently at the Dormont Public Library.

A tree with whimsical colors captures your eyes when you first walk into the entrance of the library. Its branches naked for a reason.

“As I was painting, it gave us a chance to let people know: If you donate, you will get your name on this tree,” Prascak said.

With a minimum donation of $25, the donor will be able to watch their name blossom from the tree on a hand-made paper leaf.

“That’s what is going to bring it to life,” Prascak said. “It’s going to come to life with the generosity of the people, not from what I do.”

But many things that Prascak has done have a life all unto themselves.

In a cottage industry, Prascak has done well for herself with her business Maria’s Ideas, one endeavor that has come a long way since it’s beginning.

It’s something she looks forward to when waking up in the morning.

“I borrowed $30 from my mom and dad and I bought markers and paper and I started my art business. That’s how I started, my $30. In fact, I don’t even know if I ever paid her back,” Prascak said with a smile.

In January 2012, Maria’s Ideas will have been in business for 30 years.

Without the support from her family, things probably would have been different. Growing up, Maria and her four other siblings were taught to never say the word "can’t."

“I was always brought up to just try something. If it doesn’t work, at least you tried. We had no limits.”

From adapting what kind of art she did due to mild setbacks with tendonitis in her hand from airbrushing to playing the steel drum, Maria is not afraid of trying something new.

She says that she may not have millions of dollars in the bank, but she’s happy.

“Just shut up and do it,” Prascak said. “Be true to yourself and go for it. If you aren’t living on the edge, you’re taking up too much space.”

For donations to Dormont Public Library, call (412) 531-8754.

For more on Prascak, visit her website www.MariasIdeas.com.

Editor's Note: Prascak has painted murals in many homes throughout Peters Township. Has she painted in yours?