Meet Margaret Stillwell

Today we’d like to introduce you to Margaret Stillwell.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
Life is a funny thing. You can travel many miles, spend years wearing different hats, but if you are lucky, in retirement, you get to return to your childhood endeavors. Such is my story. From grade school through my masters degree, I would sketch horses on my assignments and doodle triangles and squares-stacking the strategically, to pass the time. I raised three sons,mostly by myself, and taught school, grades Kindergarten through college level classes. I’ve always had two distinct and opposing interests. Have you guessed I’m a Gemini? You would be right. I enjoyed the glamor and luxury side of things, but I also loved the grit of outdoor life and animals- specifically horses. I’ve ridden horses all my life, and was blessed to be raised in a family who traveled extensively. So, it is no wonder that at the same time that I was a model, I was also on the Sheriffs Mounted Unit excelling at Target practice. Even though all that was many years ago, it all has a voice in my artwork. Retirement is the perfect time to learn something new and return to your original interests. I still have horses, and enjoy traveling, but the opportunity popped up to take art classes through the Milan Art Institute in Queen Creek. Through the extensive training and the rediscovery of self their program provides, my squares and triangles turned into cityscapes. My horses morphed into colorful and poignant abstracts. Usually there is a girl exposed on the canvas. Is it me? Or is it you? She represents life – in all its sweetness and all its challenges. I have not traveled so far, after all.

Please tell us about your art.
My artwork reflects adventure, exploration, beauty, and connection. I love to create sources of buildings from around the world. I put them together to create new and unique cities that no one has ever been to before. We explore those together – me with my paintbrush and you through the eyes of the adventuress on the canvas. Where is she going? Where has she been? You will also find her in my equine art; communing hearts in partnership. I paint in abstract realism. I love color and bold expression – thus, the abstract part. Generally, I begin in mixed media and end up with oil paints. However, I’ve recently begun a new product line of mixed media on paper – sketchier and edgier than my canvas paintings. My artwork is unique and one-of-a-kind because I create my own sources. It is about the journey within.

Choosing a creative or artistic path comes with many financial challenges. Any advice for those struggling to focus on their artwork due to financial concerns?
Just paint. Do something artsy every day. Take pictures on your phone of a possible source. Clean the studio. Draw a quick study of someone at work. Tear pictures out of magazines for collage – anything to keep your mind in a creative groove. You must believe you are an artist.

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I am a snowbird (big surprise, right?), so half of my year is in the Lake Tahoe area of Northern Nevada and half the year is in Queen Creek, AZ. I have artwork in the Eastern Sierra Art Gallery in Gardnerville, NV. I recently completed an art show in California and will be participating in an art show through the Milan Art Institute in August in Arizona. You can follow me on Instagram at Stillwell Studio of Art, under LatigoLady. A website is under construction and will be up soon.

Contact Info:

• Phone: (775) 450-6795
• Instagram: Stillwell Studio of Art/ Latigolady
• Facebook: Stillwell Studio of Art

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