Today we’d like to introduce you to Margaret Emerson
Hi Margaret, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
After loving art as a youth and doing well in high school art classes, I entered college as an Art Major. I felt I was in heaven! But my bubble burst when my parents advised me that I would have a hard time making a living as an artist. So, like many other women of my generation, I became a nurse. Nursing was a great career. When I retired, the first thing I did was enroll in an art class. It’s been 15 years now, I have found my true self, and I’m happier than I ever have been.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
There have been some stumbling blocks to get to where I am today. Besides switching my college major from art to nursing, I put my passion to do art on the back burner to get married, move several times, have a wonderful daughter, and finish my PhD in nursing. Those years were memorable and very full. I was devoted to my family and career, which made me happy. When my daughter went to college, I had more time to focus on myself and took community art classes. They were enjoyable, but I always felt like I couldn’t concentrate on learning as much as I hoped to. Retirement was the key for me!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My art has evolved over the past 15 years from realistic pastels and oils to abstract acrylic paintings. I have always been attracted to abstract art, but never really knew how it was done. My first exposure to other abstract artists was on Martha’s Vineyard, the place I moved to with my husband when I retired. Martha’s Vineyard has a lively art community and I dove into it by taking classes and submitting art to some of the many venues on the island. My most significant experience was finding a studio space in a building with five other artists. We all moved in at the same time and shared a large gallery space where we had shows monthly. It was so much fun figuring out how to run the gallery and how to become a force in the art community. It felt very organic and community oriented, which made it a great place.
The two galleries that I have belonged to, mostly feature realistic art. My abstract style makes me stand out, which is usually a good thing. There are always people who not appreciate abstract art, but I understand that. My paintings continue to evolve and improve with practice. The biggest impact on my painting came from enrolling in the online courses offered by Art2Life. I have been a member of this group for two years and I’m always learning and getting feedback on my work from the great Art2Life teachers and other artists.
My work involves approaching a blank canvas with an open mind and applying paint until I’m in a conversation with it. Intuition is part of the process. The paint leads me to the design and tells me when I’m done. There are many steps involved, but that’s the short lesson.
I can’t say what I specialize in, but my work has my creative signature. My inspiration comes from emotions, experiences, and places I love. I include oceans in many pieces because of living on Martha’s Vineyard and in the North Shore of the Boston area. I love shapes, especially curves, bright colors, and mark making with pencil or a brush handle. Many of my paintings incorporate paper from my dried palate, for color and texture.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lesson for me as my artist life develops, is that my art has to come from me. It has to be personal, because that is what gives me creative satisfaction. I love to look at other artist’s work and always learn from seeing art, but I try not to compare myself to anyone else. I am fortunate to not have to rely on art to support myself financially and to have resources to support my art practice.
I am thankful for having an art studio at Western Avenue Studios in Lowell, Massachusetts along with 350 other artists. Being in this creative community brings much joy to my life and urges me to continue the art that is my life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://emerson-art.com/home.html
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/m.emerson.mv/
Image Credits
All images were taken by me or a friend.