Today, we’d like to introduce you to Margo Lunsford.
Hi Margo, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m Margo Lunsford-Chacon, and I grew up in a lively, mixed Caucasian-Hispanic American family with my identical twin. My art dives into the complexities of being multiracial, shaped by the rich mix of my heritage and the balance between connection and feeling out of place. Overcoming mental illness, trauma, and addiction in my early life has driven my creativity, turning my struggles into powerful art.
I studied at the Glassell School of Art and Houston Baptist University’s painting program, where my mentor, Michael Roque Collins, greatly impacted me. He pushed me to break down my emotional walls and bring a profound spiritual touch to my work. Thanks to him, I’ve developed a unique artistic voice that explores fragmentation and renewal and takes a hard look at the human condition.
My art challenges people to look within and deal with their contradictions. It’s not just about showing memories and identity; it’s about sparking deep self-reflection, courage, acceptance, and transcendence.
Outside of art, I live a passionate and adventurous life with my amazing husband. I’ve spent 16 years in digital design, blending art with technology to improve digital experiences using human-centered design principles. Through my art and design work, I hope to inspire everyone to explore the complexities of our identities and the beauty of our shared human experience.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My journey has been full of struggles. As a child, I grew up with parents who believed in 4-5 different religions (not all at once), and then ultimately, my father kind of made up his own religion. Being biracial made me feel like an odd duck in space where finding a clique was the only way to get through school.
In college, I faced mental health challenges and eventually dropped out of HBU at a time when mental health wasn’t widely discussed. That marked the start of a long path of self-destruction for me. After leaving HBU, I enrolled at The Art Institute of Houston for a design degree. Instead of thriving, I abandoned the arts, isolated myself from family and friends, and spiraled downward.
Despite everything, I graduated with a technical degree, but I couldn’t hold a job for more than a year. On top of that, I was trapped in an abusive relationship and battling a terrible addiction. I barely remember about two years of my life from that time.
Eventually, I reached a breaking point and left that toxic environment to rebuild my life. Over the next 10 years, I focused on my design career, met my future husband, and began addressing my traumas in positive ways.
My journey is far from over, and some days are harder than others with the weight of my past. I’ve now reached a point in my design career where I’ve rediscovered art, which helps me express myself and heal. Without having lived through and survived my past, I wouldn’t have as much to say with my art.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe you can tell us more about your work next?
I’m an artist first and a digital design director second. Throughout my design career, I’ve delved into psychology, cognitive response, and the science of perception. This exploration influences my art, where I like to explore the artistic side of seeing. Much like Cezanne and Picasso (though I’m not a fan of Picasso), I investigate time and perception through an internal dialogue or memory lens. It might sound trippy, but bear with me.
My practice focuses on this exploration through oil on canvas and other materials that symbolize time and struggle, such as pearls and flowers. I want people to see my work and realize there’s a whole world within us that we need to acknowledge and grow. Through my art, I aim to visualize this inner world. It’s a nod to mental health and bringing awareness to it, as well as exploring our identities—a struggle I faced a lot growing up.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I’m still figuring that out, haha! But if I had to define it, I believe success evolves with different phases of life. What I wanted five years ago differs greatly from what I want now. Success should be a constant dream, something you believe in every day.
Five years ago, I dreamed of being represented by galleries and published. Today, I’ve achieved those goals. Now, success for me is about reaching as many people as possible and inspiring them to feel something profound about themselves. This year, I’ll be retiring from my 18-year design career to fully pursue this passion, and I am so excited about it.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.artofmargo.com
- Instagram: @artof_margo
