Margaret Archambault

For more than 30 years I have been driven to examine my experiences of the world and its inhabitants with paint. Through a combination of abstract figuration, abstract expressionism and collage I share that which is personal in an allegorical manner that invites the viewer to discover solutions, consider the relationship between the past and present and to ultimately appreciate, or at the very least recognize the universal between us all. My explorations have dissected a myriad of subjects including the influence of the media on our lives, how business practices affect our ability to achieve goals, how social media has changed the way we interact with each other, how we handle loss, grief, love and a variety of other similar subjects. Life living isn’t easy. We often must find creative solutions to problems and occasionally even break the rules to achieve our goals; and in doing so I’ve managed to develop a recognizable, distinctive style all my own. My work is an attempt to plow through life’s obstacles and complications with authenticity and commonality at the same time. Our common, relatable experiences demonstrate that we are all simply trying to live our best lives and that we all are human. This vision is incorporated throughout my work.

At my core, I believe that mark making is one of the purest forms of truth. When this sort of truth is combined with palette and complex composition, it has the unique ability to become an investigation of the human condition and our individual roles within the surrounding world. My paintings dissect and often reflect the chaotic episodes that shape our universal experiences as well as ruminate on our common problems. My work reflects the belief that great things come from strong individuals who live each day being the best version of them self. With so much influence influencing our daily lives we are perpetually directed in directions directly opposed to that which would actually fulfill us. My work both shines a light on the fallacy that is sold to us as to what constitutes “The Good Life”, while acting as an exercise and exorcism of that which influences us. I paint my experiences of the world and its inhabitants with color and texture through a filter rooted in memory and the echo of emotional characteristics related to individuals (who often become characters in my work) alongside past events, situations and relationships. I explore and decipher how those interactions have shaped my life and have contributed to my personal growth and how my understanding informs my everyday actions alongsided my desire to connect to the surrounding world. ​I’ve been tackling these types of issues with a variety of materials including Oil paint, Oil crayons, Spray Paint, Ink, Colored Pencil, Acrylic, Pastels and Authentic Vintage/Antique paper. My surfaces are nearly always canvas, but works on paper, silk screen panels and found objects as well.