On a quiet afternoon in Raleigh, Oliwia Pawelczak visited painter Mary Beth Eisentadt in her charming little studio — a space filled with colors, bright sewing bits, and countless little creative details. Between half-finished canvases and soft southern light, the two talked about returning to analog art, finding beauty in the ordinary, and the warmth of being present. In a world where things have become so easily replaceable, it’s beautiful to see that the sweetness in her paintings also lives in her personality — a reminder to hold on to things, to be there for others, and to understand that connection still matters most.
Tell us a little bit about yourself: where you’re from, what you do, etc.
I’m Mary Beth (MB), I’m a painter and illustrator in Raleigh, NC.
How long have you been painting?
I painted a bit in high school but only recently picked it back up again in the past year.
Has painting always been your only/main channel of creativity?
I’ve worked in many different forms of media. I loved to draw growing up and took studio art classes in high school. I studied new media in college which involves so many things—graphic design, video, sound, installation art, etc.—and I created a lot of art exclusively on the computer for a while. I was an in-house graphic designer for a couple of different companies for around 6 years but that burned me out and left me pretty jaded with the corporate world. I loved illustrating on Adobe Draw/Fresco for a long time, but I think I got tired of staring at screens and eventually went back to creating “analog art”. I still do some digital illustration freelance work from time to time, though.
How did you get started with painting? Did you always want to paint?
I don’t know if I always wanted to paint, but I definitely always wanted to be an artist, ever since I was little. I painted a bit in my high school studio art classes but didn’t pick it back up again until I got laid off from my design job last September-ish. I knew the layoff was coming, and I told my friend Maddy, “if I get laid off I’m just gonna start painting.” It eventually happened, and when Maddy asked if I wanted to share a studio with her as she started up her tailoring & mending business, I figured I’d say “fuck it” and just go for it. So that’s really all that happened. I was totally burned out from working in corporate and sick of being on the computer. I don’t know why I DIDN’T paint for so long… I guess I used to get a bit impatient with the process but I think I’ve taught myself to chill out and just go with the flow when it comes to that. Painting is more difficult to me than digital illustration but I actually enjoy the challenge more.
“Being able to just make art full time is the ultimate goal for sure.”
What’s your favorite piece of work that you’ve done?
My favorite is “Hitchcock II”. It’s on a 4×4 foot piece of plywood and is the largest painting I’ve made so far. It’s sort of based on reality, and sort of not (I guess all my paintings are for the most part). I’m just super proud of everything about it—the colors, the detail, the composition.
What inspires you to create?
I’m a super nostalgic person so a lot of my past memories inspire me to create. Growing up in the south and going on lots of road trips through the rural parts of it definitely inspire me as well. I’m interested in abandoned buildings and decay, and humans’ effect on landscapes/the world. I think I’m always searching for something interesting in the mundane sadness of side-of-the-highway scenes. My paintings make me feel a little bittersweet and unsettled and that’s kind of what I try to invoke.
How do you balance your time in the studio with other commitments such as family, work, friends, etc.?
I’m lucky that most of my daytime hours are free, so I try to get into the studio as much as I have the energy for during that time. Outside of that it’s all about making plans and sticking to them. I always make a point to have date nights, girls’ nights, etc. as much as possible, and attend all the social gatherings I can even if I’m tired. My brain tends to lean towards isolation but the best self care is caring for others and showing up!
“My paintings make me feel a little bittersweet and unsettled and that’s kind of what I try to invoke.”
Top 3 songs you have on repeat right now
“Ambulance Driver” by Superdrag; “Run You Down” by The Berries; “Fleshless Hand” by ML Buch.
What is your favorite part of creating?
Seeing how my vision changes as I work on a painting. The end result isn’t always what was initially planned and I think that’s cool.
What are your future goals?
It’d be cool to do some residencies or have some solo shows sometime. That’s all a work in progress—I still feel pretty new to all this so I’m taking it day by day. Being able to just make art full time is the ultimate goal for sure.
What’s some advice you have for other artists?
Get over yourself.
What’s your drink order? Morning and night?
Coffee order is usually a black cold brew. And at the bar I get mezcal and Montenegro on the rocks with an orange slice (AKA an m&m).
Artist/Painter: Mary Beth Eisentadt @mb.eisenstadt
Photographer: Oliwia Pawelczak @oliwiaorwhatever
