5 Questions With...Ann's Choice Artist Maria Burlein

Maria Burlein's paintings, along with artwork by Ann's Choice artist Martin Friedland, will be on display at The Gallery at Ann's Choice, a developed and managed Erickson Living senior living community in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, this month. Join us for the opening reception on Sunday, July 14, at 2:15 p.m. in the Signature Lounge.

European born and educated, Maria's interest in Art History blossomed with age into a passion.  After raising three children, Maria enrolled in night classes and pursued a more rigorous art education discovering she had talent as well as passion.

Her realistic landscapes and meticulously detailed flowers are done in oil on canvas as well as on porcelain. Maria's oil paintings are a combination of brush and knife work, using the knife to achieve the finer details of individual leaves and grasses. Her artwork graces the walls of friends, family, and business offices throughout Bucks and Montgomery Counties, as far north and south as Connecticut and Virginia, as well as overseas in Germany. She has been accepted in numerous art shows in the Tri-State area and has received recognition for her artwork.

Recently, Maria discussed a variety of topics about her artwork and life at Ann's Choice.

•    How long have you lived at Ann's Choice?

My husband Fred and I moved to Ann's Choice from Feasterville, Pennsylvania, in April 2018.

•    Describe your art?

My favorite medium is oil, and I do try my best to paint the beauty of nature, especially the places we visited on our travels.

•    Where do you paint on campus?

The Art Club meets and paints every Thursday and Friday at the Creative Art Center in the Liberty Clubhouse. Since we moved here, I learned to use acrylics, pen, watercolor, and colored pencils. Now, I am trying water soluble oils.

•    What about it brings you enjoyment?

Painting gives me a way to get lost in the process of creating a picture, be it a flower or landscape. After trial and error, it is great to see a painting come together, which does not always happen.

•    What other activities do you enjoy on campus?

We both make extensive use of the gym and pool. Twice a year, we look forward to Ann's Choice Lifelong Learning Academy (ACLLA) lectures. The dance at the end of the month is another of our fun things to do as well as the German club, and I belong to the Rosary group. As I said before, I belong to the art club and paint there as much as I can. We also enjoy walking all over the campus. We love to walk the bridges, especially at sunset.

Ann's Choice is a not-for-profit organization, developed and managed by Erickson Living®. The community is governed by its own board of directors affiliated with National Senior Campuses, who provide independent financial and operational oversight of the community. 

About Ann's Choice: Ann's Choice, one of 20 continuing care retirement communities developed and managed by Erickson Living®, is situated on a scenic 103-acre campus in Warminster, Pennsylvania. The not-for-profit community of more than 1,900 residents and 1,000 employees is governed by its own board of directors, affiliated with National Senior Campuses, who provide independent financial and operational oversight of the community. Additional information about Ann's Choice can be found at AnnsChoiceCommunity.com.

Photo credit: Harry Beam