A Behind the Scenes Look at Herman Maril’s Legacy

1- “How many paintings did your father do?”

2- “Do you show the work and are there exhibitions?”

3- “Where can I see the paintings?”

4- “Do you paint and have any art talent?”

5- “What was it like growing up having a father as an artist?”

6- “Could you talk to him when he was painting?”

These are a few of the questions I am continually asked as the son of a well-known artist. My father, the late Herman Maril (1908–1986) painted for much of his life, starting in his early 20s, growing up in Baltimore, and when he died, in 1986, there was a nearly completed small seascape oil on his easel he had been working on at his Provincetown studio.

Starting in the middle of the lineup questions, at number four, no, I do not have any painting talent. I would like to think my father’s artistic vision of eliminating unnecessary detail, carries into my writing career as a journalist.

The answer to number five is that growing up as a youngster, I never realized my dad was different in his profession than any of the other fathers of my friends until I was a teenager and began to notice that most of the homes I visited often had garish wallpaper in front off-white paint and plaster.

The answer to number six is yes, you could talk to him when he was painting. He was intense when painting but he was also very approachable in his home studios and you could sit and watch him paint and carry on a conversation.

The purpose of this column in future months will be to provide answers and insight into subject-matter related to the first three questions. We will highlight upcoming exhibitions around the country that include artwork by Herman Maril. We will also discuss educational projects and publication activity related to his work and career. We will also offer stories and recollections and hopefully provide a bit of an inside look at my father, a renowned painter who followed his own path in the art world.

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