Artist and calligrapher Margaret Davis talks about her artwork, her materials, and her inspiration.
Coreopsis Journal: What inspires you to make art?
Margaret Davis: Art has always been an important part of my life. My mother Norma was an art teacher and artist, and there were always art tools around — paper, crayons, pencils, paint. I’ve been expressing myself artistically since I could hold a pencil. I draw my inspiration primarily from nature, from the flowers, plants, and animals that surround me — the flowers in my garden, those in the gardens I grew up with, created by my incredibly horticulturally-gifted mother, and all my beloved pet cats. Years of spiritual exploration, particularly in the Reiki and Wicca disciplines, have colored my artwork to the point that it is impossible for me to depict a living being without expressing the life force that flows through us all.
Coreopsis: What materials and techniques do you use, and why?
Davis: I was raised with graphite pencil drawing and watercolor painting, so that has always been part of my toolbox. When I began the serious study of calligraphy, I was introduced to gouache painting and gilding with genuine gold leaf, and I have never looked back. Most of my current work incorporates all of these media.
Coreopsis: How do you choose your subjects and come up with your ideas?
Davis: Much of my work is by commission, so in those cases I do my best to capture whatever ideas the client may have. Many of my current works on spec have been exploring the juxtaposition of calligraphic text with visionary/mythic painting, and the relative importance of context or none.
Coreopsis: Are there any artists or specific artworks that have particularly inspired you?
Davis: I have been very influenced by Egyptian tomb painting, by the Celtic knotwork of the Book of Kells, and by French Medieval manuscript painting of the 15th century. Among the modern artists, Kit Williams, creator of “Masquerade” and “The Bee on the Comb,” is my single greatest influence, but I also owe a nod to B. Kliban and Susan Seddon Boulet.
Coreopsis: If there is any one thing you would share with those you view your art, what would it be?
Davis: Find the joyful, the magical, and the numinous. Oh wait, that’s three things!
Margaret Davis, Artist in Residence 2021/22
My great love of Nature leads me to create uplifting images of animals and plants filled with joy, movement, and humor.
As an artist I create curving, dancing lines invoking the life force as I represent the archetypal essence of each animal and plant. I find inspiration in the wild things around me and in the mythic creatures of the imagination found in Medieval manuscripts, tapestries, Celtic knotwork, and Egyptian tomb paintings. My paintings and prints are created with gouache watercolors, Sumi ink, 22-karat gold leaf, and linoleum blockprint, and often incorporate exuberant calligraphic lettering.
My desire for harmony in myself and others leads me to perform and record new arrangements of traditional and Early music on voice, Celtic harp, flutes, and recorders.
As a musician I create rich, multi-layered arrangements and compositions, and sing of magical princesses, lost lovers, merry mermaids, Celtic fairies, and more. My recorded works and my performances are always created with the intent of offering healing to the listener, aided by my standing as a Reiki Master in the Usui tradition. I sing and perform with the bands Brocelïande, Avalon Rising, and Margaret & Kristoph, as a solo harper, and as a therapeutic harper with Healing Muses.
I created this image for the cover to illustrate an encounter between the “Wild and the Familiar”, the theme of this issue, incorporating my beloved Celtic knotwork.
Oakland-based singer/multi-instrumentalist Kristoph Klover is well known for his wonderful tenor voice and his facility on acoustic and electric guitars, octave mandolin, oboe, tin whistle, and percussion. He is the leader of Celtic rock band Avalon Rising, and a member of the bands Brocelïande, Bluesadelix, and Guise of the Dead. Kristoph is also a skilled songwriter and recording engineer; he is engineer and co-owner of Flowinglass Music recording studio and record label.
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