We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Margaret Dukeman a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Margaret, appreciate you joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

Like many artists I knew at a pretty young age that I had an affinity for art and the creative side of things. While in school many art awards and opportunities came my way with not much effort. As I entered high school, art remained a favorite subject and I knew then that I wanted to pursue a career in something that allowed me to use this talent that I had been given. My eyes were on the fine arts and painting, however, I felt a need to have a degree in something that would support this passion as well. With that being my goal I decided on a Graphic Design degree from Iowa State University. Upon obtaining my degree I went on to work a few 9-5 jobs and then onto my own freelance business.

About 8 years after working in the graphics industry I made a life and career change to also include my fine art paintings. My BFA has allowed me to manage most of the marketing for my own fine art. I’m grateful for the ability to do this for my own work.

My first works of art gravitated towards florals due to my passions for gardening and nature. Exploring the outdoors and nature go back to growing up on a farm in the rural countryside of Iowa and later working Summers in the city parks of my Dutch hometown of Pella, Iowa. Nature has always been close to my heart.

Many of the things I take note of others simply walk by or are too busy to notice, such as the shapes of the clouds and the subtle variations of colors in the sky. I have always felt it was important to live life at a slower pace and take the time to enjoy all that surrounds you.

Since those early days my work has gravitated to include more landscapes and especially those of Ireland. This came about due to a trip I took with my sisters to grant a wish to my mother for her 70th birthday. My Mother had always wanted to travel to Ireland to explore the land of our ancestors. Little did I know at the time that this adventure would alter the direction of my art. After returning from this epic trip my works of art took on more and more of the Irish landscape. I now travel multiple times a year for 8-10 weeks at a time to Ireland to gather inspiration through the boreens utilizing photography as well as watercolors to transport what I’ve experienced back home. Upon returning I draw from the watercolors, photos and deep passion deep within my heart to create new oil paintings in my studio stateside.

I can feel a heavy presence of my ancestors as I create and explore their footsteps on the Western shores of the Emerald Isle. These treasure hunts nurture an incredible bond between me, the Irish landscape and my family. I attempt to tie this all of this together in each work of art that I create.

Margaret, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

As an artist, Margaret travels each year to Ireland for an extended period of creative residency.  While there she travels the quiet backroads and the submerses herself in the natural beauty of the Irish countryside and coast and they are a constant source of inspiration for her paintings. The lush green fields, rolling hills, and rugged cliffs that line the coastline offer an endless array of stunning scenes. From the vibrant colors of wildflowers dancing in the breeze to the dramatic interplay of sunlight and shadows on the rocky shores, every corner of Ireland’s majestic landscape is a masterpiece waiting to be painted. Whether it’s the tranquil stillness of a secluded lough or the wild waves crashing against massive cliffs, each scene evokes a sense of awe and reverence that she tries to convey through her art. With each brushstroke Margaret transports the viewer to breathtaking views of the Irish coast and countryside. These are the views that nurture her creativity and passion because they evoke a sense of peace deep within the human spirit.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative?For me the ability to see the details that many are too busy to experience is what I feel I’m here to get others to notice through my art. I find this the most rewarding part of being an artist for me.

I love sharing and seeing my collectors eyes light up as they experience a landscape or a piece of nature in a whole new way. They are absolutely drawn in and wrapped in a hug like they have never experienced before with my translation of an awe inspiring view or fine bit of nature’s details. These works of art bring to the viewer a fresh interpretation of something they may have passed and not even noticed. Because of my works of art they can now live with this beauty in their living spaces and enjoy it every day.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Not long after starting my graphic design freelance business I had a life changing event happen. I didn’t have to change the direction of work but I chose to with this event. I had a wake-up event when my aunt and uncle were killed instantly in a car accident after raising 9 children and looking forward to bringing in their final crop as farmers as they had planned to retire at the end of that year and never got that opportunity.

Most of us spend a great deal of time planning for our retirement years, however, my aunt and uncle were denied those years of their lives. Because of this event, I decided life was too short to simply do a career to make money and not include my dream to create works of art in it as well. I felt the need to honor them by living my life to the fullest and make the most of the time that I was given. This is the point at which I decided to return to my first passion of painting.

There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t attempt to honor them by celebrating each day with the creation of my paintings.

Contact Info:

• Website: MargaretDukeman.com
• Instagram: Margaret Dukeman Art
• Facebook: Margaret Dukeman Art
• Linkedin: Margaret Dukeman
• Youtube: @MargaretDukeman4365