ARTIST'S STATEMENT

Creating art is not only something that I want to do, it is something I need to do. My inspiration evolves out of a variety of different sources. Lately I have been dealing with a lot of environmental concerns in my art, in particular using my creation “Pandora’s Trojan Horse” which represents all of the evils of the world, concealed in a wondrous package. This environmental devil horse looks radiant, as it prances around unconcerned about the chaos it leaves behind. On a lighter side, I am also dealing with things I see or feel in my every day life, a story from the news, exploring art from the past, a historic event, or even an amusing anecdote. Any of these sources can move me esthetically and germinates an idea. I call my style ‘Reality with a Twist’, because it is very realistic, but unlike anything you would ever see.

Once inspired I begin to research a topic, and try to figure out whether I can work this 'inspiration' into an artistic composition. The people and animals in my art are like characters in a drama, each has a role to play, but more significantly the final composition has to feel right. Through my art, I am able to share my paintings and serigraphs with an audience, and expose them to my slightly cynical view of the world, injected whenever possible with a sense of humor. The satisfaction I get from completing a work of art is a necessary part of who I am.

Margot was born in Saint John, New Brunswick, in 1961. In 1984 she graduated from Mount Allison University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. Following graduation she decided to pursue her art full time. Margot has gone on to exhibit her work around the world, participating in 63 International Exhibits, almost all of them Juried Competitions, in 11 different countries, including shows throughout Canada, throughout the United States, as well as shows in Greece, Germany, Bulgaria, India, Spain, Australia, Poland, England, and Turkey. Margot has won 12 awards for her artwork at international juried competitions. Margot has also had 25 solo exhibitions, including shows in Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and on the U.S. Virgin Islands. She also participates in numerous local, regional and provincial shows. In the last 12 months, Margot’s art has been included in 26 group shows in Ontario and New Brunswick. Margot is working towards four upcoming solo exhibitions around Ontario, including shows in Lindsay, Timmins, North Bay, and Barrie.

In 1987 Margot married Bruce Splane, they have three children. In 1996 following Bruce's work, the family moved from Saint John, New Brunswick, to Kapuskasing Ontario. In 2001 the family was relocated to Timmins Ontario, where they currently reside. Margot works on her acrylic paintings in the winter and on her serigraph prints in the summer. Margot pulls all of her serigraphs by hand in her studio. While at University, Margot studied under David Silverberg, and Thaddeus Holownia. She has also received technical advice from artists Alex Colville, Ken Danby, Lindee Climo, and Fred Ross. Art Collections and Grants Received: The art of Margot Cormier Splane is in the collections of the “Humor of the Peoples” art collection in Gabrovo Bulgaria, The Beaverbrook Art Gallery in Fredericton, The Owens Art Gallery at Mount Allison University, The Provincial Art Bank Collection in New Brunswick, Irving Oil Corporation's head office collection, and Cortech Consulting in B.C.. Margot's art is held in numerous private collections throughout Canada and the United States, including the collection of Kelly Ryan, former National C.B.C. Radio Host, Laurent Beaudoin, former C.E.O. of Bombardier, former New Brunswick Premier Richard Hatfield, and Ross McLaren, President & C.E.O. of Shaw’s Supermarkets. Margot has received from the Ontario Arts Council a Project Grant for individuals in 2006 and 2010, and a Northern Arts Grant in 2009. She has also received exhibition assistance grants from the New Brunswick department of Heritage, and the O.A.C.