Meet Margot Rowan | Abstract artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Margot Rowan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Margot, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I forgot I was an artist. When I visited my previous place of work in Vermont and introduced my then young boys to the owner, he said to them… ‘your mom is truly an artist first and foremost’ that struck me, as I had forgotten, as I got busy raising my amazing boys. Now, living in Colorado, it returned slowly and surely and gains great momentum every year. I have found my creative voice in abstracts and have not looked back. The risk I take is putting myself out there and not keeping my creativity in the walls of my house or my soul. For me, it is to be shared, because it impacts in ways you can’t imagine. The first big solo show of 30 pieces I put up in the Saint Julien in Boulder, I joke, that I put them up and ran. It didn’t matter how it was received, it’s my happy place that I share and I believed so it became real.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

I have had creativity around me for as long as I can remember. Whenever there is opportunity to learn, I seek it and take it. I thank my father for the creative genes he gave me. My dad was a commercial artist and painted in oils. I particularly remember him bringing his paints on our family vacations. I was always watching and learning from him, I didn’t know creativity was in me too. Now, I too, bring my paints whenever I can, it’s a soul thing, it’s how I like to express myself, creatively, with paint and I continue to learn and expand wherever I can. Creative expression is limitless and creativity in some form lives in all of us, it’s paying attention to the whisper, the calling, and for me,

it kept knocking, until I really heard it and that was to be an abstract artist. It is always available to me and it’s not dependent on an external inspiration. When I lived in Vermont it was about all the landscapes and when I moved to Colorado I felt lost in my creative expression, because oddly, it wasn’t about landscapes anymore. Then one day in the mail came an article about abstract artist Kelly Degnan, it was a ‘‘lightbulb’ moment and it became very clear, that was my path and I jumped in, searching out workshops, teachers and learning, wherever I could and it is all integrated within me now, and I continue to grow with it everyday. I understand it is hard, challenging, unknown and magical when it comes together.

My dad painted for himself, for the love of it. So our home was filled with his art. For me it was a different choice of a knowing to share it, because creativity works in a wonderful dominos way of an unknown ripple of joy and impact, for it to be seen, it creates connections and so many positive emotions.

I would describe my work with a love for color, contrast, layers, texture and glazes, it creates the experience that it is, the story, the dream. Believe and dreams do come true.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

I would take my friend to the Moth, I just recently discovered it and it’s such a different and great night out. It’s a story slam at the Shallow music hall, happens monthly. Across the street is Colore Italian restaurant, for dinner before the show, they have great lasagna. I would also take my friend sky diving at Mile High Sky Diving in Longmont. I said never would I, then Covid showed up and my adventurous soul couldn’t travel for a while, so my adventure was that. Biggest smile ever on my face, felt so alive.

I would also go downhill mountain biking in winter park. Amazing way to be in nature and not be freezing cold skiing.

I would also go to HagenDaz on Pearl street and get a scoop of my favorite ice cream and sit and people watch.

Finally I would ask Will Day if he was in the studio, if I could I come by with my friend so she could meet an incredible artist who I’ve had the privilege of connecting with and who inspires me.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

Will Day a local Boulder abstract artist inspires me to continue to learn, expand beyond my dreams and go big into the world and share because it’s bigger than art, it spreads hope, joy and dreams.

Jacque Michelle another Boulder artists, for creating a space to teach art to local artists building a community of support with others following our creative passion.

Website: Margotrowan.com

Instagram: @margotrowanart

Image Credits
Mile High Skydiving