Born to Paint: An Interview with Nancy Mysak

Jeanette E. Sherbondy • July 5, 2022


Jeanette: Nancy, what does your painting mean for you?

 

Nancy: It’s my life! It always has been—all my life, as a child too.

 

Nancy Mysak, now of Allen, Md., grew up in Denton, where she remembers going into her dad’s workshop and making all kinds of things with wood. When she was in second grade, a neighbor who lived nearby, Nancy Asher, turned her garage into a studio for the town. There young Nancy discovered painting in tempura.

 

Nancy: I was fascinated!



When Nancy was in middle school, her mom arranged for her to take lessons once a week in St. Michael’s. She continued to paint and paint. While she was studying at Virginia Commonwealth University, her mother encouraged her not to paint for a living, and she recognized that she was probably right, so she transferred to Salisbury (State) University where she graduated with a degree in elementary education.

 

She taught school during the years when she was raising two daughters — until they graduated from college. And then she turned to painting full-time and has been painting ever since. She and her husband, Paul Mysak, live near Allen where they built a wonderful studio for her in their home.

 

She especially loved teaching kindergarteners. They made some incredibly beautiful things. One day a little girl she was teaching in kindergarten told her, “Mrs. Mysak, when you grow up someday you should be an artist!” Her reaction was to think, “You are the artists!”

 

Nancy found watercolor when her younger daughter was a baby, and she fell in love with professional watercolor paint. “It was so much better than oils and acrylics.” She worked with professionals in South Carolina and painted everywhere she went — on the west coast and the east, in Italy and France.

 

Nancy: It’s really been such a joy in my life!

 

Jeanette: What is an artist?

 

Nancy: I think it is a way to speak. I can say things. Painting for me is like speaking — telling my story. For as long as I can remember, I have used whatever materials were available to make drawings, paintings, and sculptures. Some of my early childhood attempts were truly indescribable! The vibrancy of color and the way light affects color as it falls on an object are usually what attract me to a subject. Nature provides an endless array of subject matter as the light and the atmosphere constantly change. When I have an emotional reaction to a subject, I usually make a quick sketch or take a photo of it. Then, in my studio, I work to capture that important image by using watercolor. I had worked for years painting in oils and acrylics and doing printmaking, but when I found watercolor, I fell in love! Journaling my feelings and experiences through my paintings is an essential and joyous part of my life.

 

I can paint something and an hour later it looks different. I have an emotional reaction. I fell in love with watercolor. It stops time for a moment and I keep what strikes me. I am now working with 40 photos of a subject. The result never ends up like any photo.



Jeanette: Tell me — what are you working on now?

 

Nancy: Icicles! Icicles on shrubbery that encase the branches and are melting a little.

 

Jeanette: Why icicles?

 

Nancy: For the natural beauty of them. Late in the day the light helped me see in shapes the partly melted ice. I love to paint water as ice, oceans, lakes and ponds.

 

A teacher from Florida, Jane Grastorf, taught Nancy how to work with poured paint. You block the parts that are to be white, pour the paint and let it dry. Then do layers and layers. Pour as much as you want but only one a day, though you can include several colors. This technique emphasizes shapes. It’s a way to avoid getting tied up in details. She does three layers. The drawing gets smaller with each pour and it changes color, such as red over blue making purple. “It’s exciting to see what happens. You never know what it’s going to be. It’s not painting but pouring shapes.”

 


This painting, “Old Man and the Sea” is one of her favorites that she made with pouring. This is of a man who was rowing in a harbor off the Atlantic Ocean in New England. She masked the boat and poured the water around him.

 

Nancy: Colors speak volumes. Not all artists like colors. Pouring gives you license to be sloppy and also have control! There’s nothing wrong with sloppy but you need to know when and where to use it.

 

Jeanette: I find it hard to rewire my head to think “backwards” to paint like this.

 

Nancy: It is thinking negatively. That is important in life too. So many things are said and the really important things are not said. Having this way of thinking is a “completion of utensils” — things to work with. It’s another way to think differently, that is, about what is not there. The important things are left out a lot of times.

 

What you don’t say is more important than what you do say sometimes. You give the idea and the person completes it. People react to my paintings differently. You give them the space to find what’s important to them. Everybody has a different story.

 

You can’t create and paint with anything else there. You have to start working and thinking about what I’m going to do. It’s so different from other stuff — it pushes everything else out. I give credit to Paul and the kids for supporting this habit. My studio — it’s just beautiful!

 

Nancy: You can view more of my work on my website at http://www.nancyormemysak.com, at the DWS show at the Lewes, Del. Public Library, from Aug. 1-30, 2022, and at the Nassau Vineyards in Lewes during the month of August, 2022.

 

Her icicles in paint will be there!



Jeanette E. Sherbondy is a retired anthropology professor from Washington College and has lived here since 1986. In retirement she has been active with the Kent County Historical Society and Sumner Hall, one of the organizers of Legacy Day, and helped get highway /historical markers recognizing Henry Highland Garnet. She published an article on her ethnohistorical research of the free Black village, Morgnec.



Common Sense for the Eastern Shore

Health of His Constituents is Apparently Not a Priority for Rep. Dr. Andy Harris

By Jan Plotczyk • October 8, 2025
The Republican Congress and President Trump are causing a health care crisis and Democrats are trying to fix it. Passed in July, the GOP budget reconciliation bill is drastically cutting health insurance programs to pay for tax cuts for billionaires. Rep. Andrew P. Harris (R-MD01) voted for the budget reconciliation bill. He voted, knowing that his vote would mean that health care costs would rise for 25,000 of his constituents in Maryland’s First Congressional District:

Judge Denies Trump Administration’s Attempt to Stall Maryland Offshore Wind Case Amid Federal Shutdown

By CSES Staff • October 8, 2025
 Efforts by the Trump administration to delay a critical court case over Maryland’s offshore wind project have failed, marking another setback in the president’s campaign to block renewable energy development along the East Coast. On Oct. 2, U.S. District Court Judge Stephanie Gallagher denied a motion filed by the Department of Justice to pause an ongoing lawsuit involving US Wind’s proposed 114-turbine wind farm off Ocean City. The administration had argued that the federal government’s shutdown prevents its attorneys from continuing the case. The judge’s swift rejection ensures that the litigation and progress on one of Maryland’s most significant clean energy projects will continue. Initially filed by Ocean City officials and a small group of residents nearly a year ago, the suit challenges the federal approval of US Wind’s project, which would deliver enough clean electricity to power more than 700,000 homes. Under the Biden administration, the federal government had defended the project in partnership with US Wind. That stance was reversed after Trump took office earlier this year and installed officials hostile to offshore wind. In September, the Trump administration filed a separate motion seeking to vacate federal approval for the Maryland project altogether, a move widely condemned by environmental advocates, labor groups, and business leaders who see offshore wind as a cornerstone of Maryland’s energy and economic future. US Wind responded forcefully to the shutdown motion, warning the court that the administration’s attempts to delay proceedings could allow it to undermine the project’s approval behind the scenes quietly. The company argued that halting the case would create “existential risks” for the future of Maryland’s offshore wind industry. Judge Gallagher agreed that the case should move forward, setting the next status hearing for Oct. 7. The Trump administration’s repeated efforts to obstruct offshore wind development come as Maryland and other states have invested heavily in building the infrastructure, workforce, and port facilities needed to anchor the growing clean energy industry. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has championed the sector as a key driver for well-paying jobs and long-term economic resilience for the Eastern Shore. Supporters of US Wind point out that the project will bring over $1 billion in investment to Maryland, generate thousands of construction and maintenance jobs, and help deliver cleaner, more affordable energy to homes and businesses across the region. “Offshore wind isn’t just about turbines, it’s about jobs, innovation, and independence,” one clean energy advocate said after the ruling. “Every delay costs working Marylanders opportunity, and this decision ensures progress continues.” While the broader lawsuit over the project’s approval is ongoing, the latest ruling represents a clear win for those fighting to keep Maryland’s offshore wind future on track — and a blow to Trump’s attempt to turn back the clock on clean energy.

Should We Pin Our Hopes on Mid-Cycle Redistricting in MD-01?

By Jan Plotczyk • October 8, 2025
Maryland has eight congressional districts, and the seats for all but District 01 are filled by Democrats. As we well know, the First District representative is a Republican — Andrew P. Harris. Here’s what Maryland’s congressional district map is now.

Megan Outten Kicks Off Wicomico County Council District 7 Campaign with Packed Crowd and Strong Early Momentum

By CSES Staff • October 8, 2025
With standing room only at Salisbury’s Historic Poplar Hill Mansion, and blending policy, community service, and grassroots energy, Megan Outten launched her campaign for Wicomico County Council District 7 before almost 100 supporters on Oct. 4. The event drew community residents, labor leaders, and local officials, many of whom also helped to pack nearly 300 care kits for Wicomico residents in need. The community service effort doubled as a campaign statement about what Outten calls “choosing connection over convenience.” District 7 is one of Wicomico’s newly drawn single-member districts, with a Democratic advantage of 7.7%. Outten recalled her family’s history of service in Fruitland and Salisbury. “Service isn’t just politics in my family,” she said. “It’s how you belong to a place. It’s how you prove you care.” She pointed to the county’s landfill crisis, water and septic system failures, and school underfunding as examples of leadership that reacts rather than plans. “This is what happens when leaders only react after things break,” she said. “It costs us more. It hurts families. It robs our kids of the future they deserve.” Outten was joined by several local leaders who offered strong endorsements and reflections on her record. AFSCME Local 3 Eastern Shore representative Jack Hughes praised her leadership on the Salisbury City Council, crediting her with helping pass the Eastern Shore’s first municipal labor code, a significant win for city workers and first responders. Councilman Josh Hastings, who represents the district and is running for the Maryland House of Delegates in District 38B, said Outten would be “crucial in carrying forward the progress we’ve made” on clean water, schools, and infrastructure planning. Whitney Snowden-Olanrewaju from Blending Cultures, a non-profit organization that promotes diversity and equality, spoke about Outten’s record of community inclusion and bridge-building across diverse groups. Outten’s campaign is expected to roll out additional endorsements in the coming weeks. In her speech, she outlined a platform focused on fully funding schools, investing in infrastructure before it fails, and ensuring that county government works for everyone. “This campaign is not mine,” she told the crowd. “It’s ours. I am not standing above you. I am standing with you. And together, we will put Wicomico families first.” With enthusiasm, endorsements, and her message that’s focused on service and accountability, Outten’s kickoff reinforced that District 7 is already shaping up to have a strong favorite in 2026.

Community Rallies After Theft of Car Containing Hundreds of Care Kits for Wicomico Residents in Need

By CSES Staff • October 8, 2025
An act of inhumanity in Salisbury has sparked an outpouring of compassion. Early on Oct. 5, community organizer Jared Schablein’s car was stolen from his backyard. Inside the vehicle were hundreds of care kits assembled just days earlier during Megan Outten’s Wicomico County Council District 7 campaign kickoff event. Packed by volunteers at Salisbury’s Poplar Hill Mansion, the kits contained feminine hygiene products, socks, and toiletries meant for Wicomico County residents facing housing insecurity. “Those kits were meant for neighbors in need,” said Schablein. “If nothing else, I hope whoever took them returns them. Getting those care kits to the folks who need them matters more to me than anything else.” Schablein and Outten have turned the theft into action, launching a new effort called the “Care Kits Comeback Drive.” The event, scheduled for Oct. 12 at 2pm at Poplar Hill Mansion, aims to replace every lost kit, and more. Volunteers are asked to bring or donate items such as sanitary wipes, socks, toothpaste, period products, and underwear. Donations will support the Wicomico County Library, Help and Outreach Point of Entry, and other local service organizations. In announcing the new drive, Schablein emphasized the deeper meaning behind the effort: “When acts of inhumanity happen, the best response is acts of humanity. We’re showing that Salisbury’s compassion can’t be stolen.” Despite the setback, organizers say community support has been overwhelming. Donations began arriving within hours of the announcement, and several local groups have offered to distribute supplies once the new kits are complete. The theft is still under investigation by the Salisbury Police Department. As one volunteer put it at the last event, “Community isn’t guaranteed, it’s built.” This Sunday, Salisbury will build it again.

Momentum Builds to Save Connelly Mill Park: Community Leaders and State Officials Unite Around Vision for Wicomico’s “Central Park”

By CSES Staff • October 8, 2025
What began as a grassroots campaign to preserve a parcel of local land has become one of the most inspiring community movements on the Eastern Shore. Led by residents James and Mikele Dahlen and Holly Campbell, alongside dozens of volunteers, the Save Connelly Mill Park effort reached a significant milestone last week as Maryland Secretary of Natural Resources Josh Kurtz toured the site with local and state officials to explore opportunities for partnership and permanent protection. On Sept. 23, citizens gathered at Connelly Mill Park with a delegation of state and county leaders, including Sen. Mary Beth Carozza, Del. Barry Beauchamp, County Council President John Cannon, Vice President Jeff Merritt, Councilman James Winn, and local municipal representatives from Delmar and Salisbury. The tour marked the strongest signal to date that the state may play an active role in turning the park’s long-promised vision into reality. Advocates for Save Connelly Mill Park presented Kurtz with a booklet outlining the site’s environmental, historical, and economic importance. The presentation highlighted Connelly Mill’s potential to become a keystone of Wicomico’s park system — protecting the Paleochannel aquifer, preserving wildlife habitats, and providing much-needed green space for recreation and community gathering. Located just five miles from Salisbury, the 234-acre property has rolling forest, wetlands, and unique topography that advocates say could one day make it the “Central Park of Wicomico County.” “The natural beauty of Connelly Mill spoke for itself,” said one organizer after the event. “What we have here is not just land, it’s a promise to future generations.” Adding to the momentum, the community’s advocacy materials were presented directly to Maryland Gov. Wes Moore the next day at the Tawes Crab and Clam Bake in Crisfield, where he was briefed on the citizens’ efforts and growing local support. The proposed park would provide walking trails, open space for families, and educational opportunities while safeguarding vital water resources and promoting mental, physical, and social well-being for county residents. For many, the movement to save Connelly Mill has come to represent more than just one park. It’s about accountability, long-term planning, and ensuring public commitments to community spaces are kept. “We’re not out of the woods yet,” the group shared in a recent update. “But the spotlight is on Connelly Mill, and the momentum is growing.” As the state evaluates whether to designate Connelly Mill as a Partnership Park, supporters say they will continue to meet with officials and rally community engagement to ensure this once-forgotten project finally fulfills its promise. If realized, Connelly Mill would not only protect vital natural resources — it would stand as testament to what determined citizens can build when they refuse to give up.
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