Margaret Emerson

When I went to college, I wanted to major in art, but chose nursing because of its job opportunities. I had a fulfilling 30 year career as a nurse, but always saw art as my passion. Having the time and money to do art came with retirement.

That’s when I plunged into art and fulfilled a lifetime dream.

Retiring for me was moving to a small cottage on Martha’s Vineyard with my husband. Realizing that art was abundant on the island, I enrolled in classes and made a small studio in our garden shed. As I began to know those in the art community, I also began to be known. This transition took time and patience over five years. I befriended art teachers and artists, help start a studio/gallery called Art Space, wrote a grant to support the new venue, became a member of the well established Old Sculpin Gallery, and was involved in many annual and monthly shows around Martha’s Vineyard.

During these years, my art style changed from water colors, to pastels of island scenes, to abstract acrylic painting. Abstract painting was less common than realistic art at Old Sculpin and on the Vineyard in general, but I was obsessed with its powerfulness and learned techniques from other artists. My main goal was to share my art, have the experience of being an artist, and being with other artists who stimulated my thinking about art.

We left Martha’s Vineyard in 2020 and moved back to the Boston area to be near family. I now have a studio at Western Avenue Studios in Lowell, Massachusetts, along with 350 other artists.

I am a 2023 graduate of the Art 2 Life online Creative Visionary Program and a member of the Art 2 Life Academy. I’ve not only learned new art techniques, but also the importance of art in my life. I have continuous contact with a group of teachers and peers who support each other and give helpful critique and feedback.

I am happy to be a member of North Shore Arts Association where I can show my art and share in this community of great artists