Today we’d like to introduce you to Margaret Drake
Margaret, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
As a child growing up in rural Colorado, I loved horses, and loved drawing them. I remember I would draw anything and everything as often as I was given the opportunity. I had no idea I could sculpt until 2009 when I retired from 30 years career in the pharmaceutical research industry, and I took a workshop from a sculptor. The best I can describe the experience is that the pieces seemed to fly together in my hands. After that, I took a few workshops at Scottsdale Artists School, read a lot about it, and practiced my craft. I also learned how to apply the patina to my own sculptures, making my work rather unique amongst the sculpting community.
Today I am a member and on the Board of the juried artist group Women Artist of the West, and I’m active in entering my work in shows within the western art community.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I’ve worked very hard to develop my craft and get where I am today. In my opinion, nobody ever “arrives”. Being accepted into shows is never a given, nor is selling a piece of my artwork. I have learned to overcome rejection (not that it’s ever easy), and pick myself up to continue to improve my sculpting and enter another show another day.
I have learned that everybody’s taste is a little bit different, and one sculpture receiving criticism from one person will be be bought with much praise by another person.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I strive for accuracy as well as aesthetics when creating realistic figures of animals and humans. Originally from Northwestern Colorado ranching country, I first learned I had a propensity for sculpting after retiring from working 30 years in research in the pharmaceutical industry.
I has taken several workshops from noted western art sculptors and patineurs.
Most sculptors do not do their own patina work, as it means having to master the chemistry involved in oxidizing metal in conjunction with carefully applied heat. I learned patination through working with a master patineur in the field. I do my own patinas, often quite colorful, thus making each piece unique.
My work has appeared in many prestigious juried shows throughout the United States. I have also taught sculpting at the prestigious Western Art Academy at Schreiner University, Kerrville, Texas.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
The biggest risk I have taken is to start adding colors to my bronze sculptures. This took a lot of nerve on my part because the conventional way of producing bronze sculptures is to apply several tones of brown to the piece. I wanted to liven things up a bit and add contrast by adding color. This is not paint that I use, but chemicals added to heated bronze that react with the surface to produce different colors. By learning, this part of the craft, I believe my work stands out from others, and may look more “modern” for today’s home.
Pricing:
- $800
- 12000
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.margaretdrakestudio.com
- Instagram: Margaret Drake Studio
- Facebook: Margaret Drake Studio
