A passion for creating art

Margaret Archbold works at The Briggait, Glasgow, and operates under her own name as well as the name Garter, with art playing a major part in daily life. Born and raised in Glasgow, she graduated from Glasgow School of Art in 1994.  

Her hometown is a stimulus generating old stories, familiar views and new work. Subject matter, processes and practice constantly evolve as narratives presented themselves. 

My painting changes direction almost subconsciously. Having spent a lot of time in my studio in the quiet of lockdowns, I found myself pouring back over 30 year old sketchbooks, discovering line drawings of flowers and plants. I am conscious that the memory of executing the original drawings feels like yesterday. The addition of the circle is a nod to a found object. giving my work continuity. 

Exploring the drawings, and bringing in new ones, I gather thoughts. Working through the joy of mixing and balancing colours, each piece is (mostly) instinctively done. Sometimes, however, my day and its various challenges, influence the painting. Within each one you may often find love, sorrow and hope, in no particular order. 

“Stubbornly out of step…” Cy Twombly 

Something to aspire to, I think.