She often used people she knew as models for her paintings and showed modern scenes from daily life, like in The Boating Party.
Degas wanted Cassatt to show her work at the Impressionist group exhibitions, which she did on four of the eight occasions. She was the only American who exhibited with the group. Like other members of the movement, Mary was interested in vibrant colors. She often used people she knew as models for her paintings and showed modern scenes from daily life, like in The Boating Party.