“I come from a bohemian and creative family, so I have been lucky enough to be surrounded by art since birth. Our walls were always covered with amazing family artwork!”
Grace Margarita‘s journey as an abstract painter began long before she held a brush in her hand. Growing up in a household steeped in artistic expression, she found solace in the visual language of art from an early age. Now an established artist, her works embody a unique fusion of natural landscapes, lunar cycles, and spiritual philosophies. Through her thoughtful approach to materials like oil paints, gold leaf, and crystals, Grace creates deeply personal pieces that reflect the cyclical nature of life and the balance between darkness and light. In our conversation, she shares her inspirations, creative process, and the role art plays in connecting us to the world around us.
What were your first encounters with art as a child?
I come from a bohemian and creative family, so I have been lucky enough to be surrounded by art since birth. Our walls were always covered with amazing family artwork! I was shy as a child, so art for me was a form of meditation even back then. I remember my mum would allow me and my friends to draw on our tablecloth and paint faces on my bedroom wall as a teenager.
You studied art history—how does this theoretical knowledge help or inspire you in your own work as an abstract painter?
I decided to study the history of art as I knew that I could still paint alongside my academic studies. For me, it was important to learn what had already been created, and the meanings behind these artworks, so I could make sure that what I put out into the world is as unique as can be.
It also helped me understand how subjective art really is, as throughout my degree and Masters we were all passionately drawn to completely different art forms, and there was no ‘correct’ answer to anything.
Do your motifs come into being intuitively while painting, or do you have an exact image in your head before you start a piece?
They definitely just flow to me as I’m painting. I wouldn’t even say it’s in my head! I find art a really healing process, to get out of my head. However, I think I’m subconsciously inspired by the shapes and forms I see in the natural landscape, seascapes, skyscapes and space-scapes.
I usually start my creative process by choosing a colour I have recently been inspired by, and then taking time to mix that with other earthy tones. Certain shapes emerge from there and it’s a constant dance. I’m always surprised at what has revealed itself after – recently, a friend said they could see a womb within my painting, whereas others can see the cosmos. We are a microcosm of the macrocosm, and I hope my paintings express that.
“I found that what links every spiritual practice is our commitment to being in tune with our bodies each day: this has a ripple effect in society.”
You work with materials like earth-based pigments, oil paints, gold leaf, watercolors, liquid metal—do you have a favorite material to work with and why?
I love the changeability of oil paints depending on whether I mix them with natural oils such as linseed or leave them as is. It creates a textural contrast in my work, which can only be seen in person rather than through photographs. Also, the surface in which I paint on, for example canvas, wood or linen really changes the nature of how I paint and how everything flows. I often add small crystals to my paintings as they create beautiful shimmers and bring a healing energy.
I love those gold elements. Do they have a special meaning in your art, or are they mainly a visual element?
I love to balance dark and light, and find both beautiful. For me, it is an entirely different experience to view my paintings in the daylight versus the night. The paint colours look calming both ways, but there’s a certain magic once the candles or lamps illuminate my paintings and the gold leaf shines. Gold leaf is an extremely fragile material, and I find it a meditative experience to apply that to the canvas.
You are inspired by the lunar cycles, nature, and spirituality. What is it about the lunar cycles that fascinates you?
The word lunatic originates from the Latin word luna meaning moon and it has a deep history. There is a proven link between the moon cycles and our moods. Over the years, the more I have connected with the cycles of the moon and noted when there is a full moon or a new moon, I’ve drawn many connections over my emerging emotions and energy at the time.
It’s essentially the same with menstrual cycles for women, but lunar cycles affect everyone whether they are conscious of it or not. During tense times, I love to remember that everything is a cycle and passes. As the Buddhist quote goes, “Winter always turns to Spring.” I often paint circles within my canvases and use colours evoking the energy of different seasons as this cyclical reminder.
Your work is also influenced by Buddhist and tantric philosophies on the cyclical nature of life. Could you explain a bit more about this to our readers?
I believe that if we think of our lives as a cycle — not just one of birth and death — but a cycle which constantly evolves every month, week, day and hour, we may find peace in each moment. This originates from Buddhist and Tantric philosophies. A friend recently commented that she finds some of my paintings dark, and I was wondering whether it was my recent use of dark red and indigo that prompted her to think that, or the branch-like shapes. Either way, I wish to positively frame ‘darkness’ as part of the same ecosystem as ‘light’ — one cannot exist without the other.
“If you have an open mind, anything can inspire you. ‘Wow’ is high up in my most-used vocabulary!”
What does it mean to you to be a spiritual person?
Since I was a teenager, I have practiced several different strains of Buddhism, and even the times where I was most devoted in these communities, I found that what links every spiritual practice is our commitment to being in tune with our bodies each day: this has a ripple effect in society. Ultimately, for me being spiritual means remembering that I am a part of nature, not separate, and to find beauty in those waves.
Since March, you’ve had a studio space and mentioned that it makes a big difference. Has this changed anything in your motivation, or what is the biggest difference compared to before?
I am super grateful to have my own studio. I was running out of space and having accidents before, painting in my boyfriend’s attic bedroom under the eaves! The other artists/sculptors in my studio building are super lovely which makes the space even more tranquil.
The best difference is that I can make more of a mess, and paint multiple canvases at once. I think it’s important to have a sacred, dedicated space for creating.
Which other artists are your role models or inspirations?
After finishing my art history studies, I don’t visit too many exhibitions as I like to come up with inspiration by myself and make sure I walk in forests, beaches or meadows regularly.
Nature has always inspired me the most, but I get inspired even by looking at the swirling shapes and tiny bubbles in my brewing saucepan of cacao, or the patterns on pavements. If you have an open mind, anything can inspire you. ‘Wow’ is high up in my most-used vocabulary!
“During tense times, I love to remember that everything is a cycle and passes. As the Buddhist quote goes, “Winter always turns to Spring.””
Do you think that art can change the world?
I believe in the power of our immediate environment, in changing the world. If you are lucky enough to have a roof over your head, you also may be lucky enough to have control in how the space feels. The art we hang on our walls has an understated power, as it’s what we intentionally or unintentionally perceive nearly every day. We can absorb inspiring shapes, colours, meanings and feel inspired just by what is on our wall. I hope we can treat our outdoor environments with the same respect: trees lining the streets have just as much a positive impact on our moods as a canvas.
Where do you see yourself with your art in 10 years? And what would be your dream vision for your life in general?
I would love to inspire more people of all ages to create art, whether they think they are ‘good’ or ‘bad’ at it. To embrace imperfection as perfection. The magic of abstract art is that you can entirely express your inner emotions, and at the end of it you have created something beautiful. I’d love to lead more art meditation groups and encourage new ways of expressing.
The most important ingredients for a good life are…
Light, water, breath, movement, plants, love.
@gracemargaritastudio
www.gracemargarita.com
