Born and raised in the Okanagan Valley, she now lives in the ward of Okanagan Centre with her author, publisher husband, Michael Schwartzentruber. Margaret works in her studio in Lake Country, teaches watercolour classes, and promotes art as a health-giving activity.

 
Artist Statement: I work intuitively and meditatively after drawing or imagining the painting I hope to create. If I am working in watercolor I splash on light washes of Aureolin, Alizaron Crimson, and Cobalt Blue and let them mix together on the paper. If I am working in acrylic I do the same but with thicker brush strokes of acrylic medium and a wider range of pigments. It is a very exciting part of the painting  because it is a creative process that is not controlled by me and lays the groundwork for what comes next.

 

Two things seem to be part of my work in either watercolor or acrylic medium - color and light.  I realize there are many disturbing things that are a reality of our world but I hope to overcome this by showing the beauty and spirit that dwells in each blade of grass, in each person's face, and in everything that is.

 

My subject matter comes from discoveries along the shoreline and lanes in the quiet rural community of Lake Country that borders Okanagan Lake and many other smaller lakes. I am aware that nothing stays the same forever and what I value and treasure in this area may change or disappear so I hope to honor it and preserve it in art.  This is the same impetus for my current series based on the theme "transition."