Margaret Stott

When I was young, I was fortunate to have a wonderful art teacher at Queen Mary School (Mr. Fulton), as well as great opportunities to experiment in summer Painting in the Parks programmes and Saturday classes at the Vancouver School of Art Then I became absorbed in my studies and work in anthropology, which shaped my life and brought me great pleasure.

Over the years I occasionally dabbled with paints, but it was not until 1998 that I began returning to that childhood interest. I took courses at Emily Carr from Martin Guderna and Ranjan Sen, both inspiring teachers. Then, as a student in Fran Alley’s “Introduction to Drawing” class, I was truly hooked. Numerous painting courses with Fran and her devotees followed, until ultimately we formed the Vancouver Art Guild. I continue to relish the companionship and support of Fran and other Guild members. And I also enjoy participating in classes offered by Vancouver artist Cheryl Fortier. I feel very fortunate indeed to have entered whole heartedly into this world of creative arts, to know that another lifetime of discovery lies ahead. Cause of much laughter and some tears, it is full of surprises, frustrations, delights, disappointments, rewards and satisfaction. What more could one ask for?

I am grateful for the constant encouragement of my husband Philip and son James. Philip and I travel a lot these days, regularly spending time in Greece, France, Ireland, the U.K. and New Zealand. I try to communicate the essence of the varying landscapes and architecture in watercolours or acrylics. I also love to draw and paint flowers, birds and animals, especially the goats that forage in the fields near our house in Greece.

BIOGRAPHY

Born in Vancouver, Margaret received her BA from UBC in Anthropology, an MA in Social Anthropology from McGill, and a doctorate in Anthropology from the London School of Economics and Political Science. Her areas of research and teaching were the First Nations of the northwest coast of B. C. and the Greek island community of Mykonos. Her career as an anthropologist included positions at the Canadian Museum of Civilization and UBC Museum of Anthropology, the Department of Anthropology and Sociology at UBC, and the School for International Training (Brattleboro, Vermont). Since 1999 she has worked less as an anthropologist and teacher, and has devoted more of her time to drawing and painting in Vancouver and abroad.

July 2007

CONTACTING THE ARTIST

email: margaret.stott@vancouverartguild.com