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Artist spotlight: Margaret JUUL

December 13, 2022

spotlight

Painter Margaret Juul is interviewed by one of Private Museum's curators in charge of the selection of Artists:

PMC: PRIVATE MUSEUM CURATOR

MJ: MARGARET JUUL

PMC: Have you always dreamed of becoming an artist?

MJ: Always. I come from a long line of female artists, although I am the only one who was able to pursue it as a career.

PMC: What is your background?

MJ: Margaret Juul, b. 1968 Queens, NY From the shores of my New York birthplace, to college on Chicago’s Lake Michigan and the spectacular tropics of Tampa Bay, water has held an unwavering hold on my spirit —with fluidity, intuition, and reflective volatility.

I cannot remember a time when I didn’t live near a large body of water. As a child, watersports were encouraged as my family spent a lot of time traveling to various beaches. During one vacation in Miami Beach, at four years old, a rip tide pulled me under. Images of waves pulling me down, and the reflections coming through the surf had made a lasting impression. Those few desperate moments have stayed with me; burned into my brain through my entire life.

For many years after art school, I explored new, innovative art styles and themes. During the late 1990s, I began incorporating emotion and memories as a method to communicate the direction of my art. During this period, I decided to further my education and was on the path to becoming a Florida Licensed Interior Designer.

By the early 2000s, I was exploring coastal landscapes, with a goal of finding an artistic voice to help the viewer connect and enhance a spirit of beauty, tranquility and relaxation embodied in nature. I spent my days working as a designer and my nights and weekends painting and showing in galleries. Part of my duties as a designer was expanded, as I was able to design patterns through Durham-Mohawk. It gave me the opportunity to expand on my early passion for textile design. Over the years I worked for several interior architecture firms as well as working as an art buyer for a national manufacturer.

In 2011, an unfortunate workplace accident crushed both my hands and wrists. Doctors told me I would never paint again. Fortunately, after surgery, months of therapy, hard work and sheer determination, I can continue the pursuit of my artistic ambition, filled with pride for my accomplishments in the face of adversity.

Once healed, I devoted my time to working as an artist, full time. Considered by many as multifaceted, l have cultivated an extensive list of devoted supporters. My general focus is painting, illustration, interior and textile design.

My work displays prominently in a wide variety of settings—from celebrity homes and corporate lobbies to commercial and hospitality sites internationally.

Since 1995 I have sold and exhibited internationally from San Diego to Boston and London to Beijing. In 2008-2011 I was selected as the American Artist Representative for an exhibition in Baghdad, Iraq. My career has skyrocketed from there. In 2019, by responding to a call for art, I was invited to participate in two Yoko Ono curated exhibitions, one in Montreal and the other in Helsinki.

Over the years, I have shown at New York Hall of Science, Art Basel Miami, Las Vegas Art & Frame, Italy’s Biennale Arte’ de Venezia, Highpoint Market, Swiss Art Expo (3 years), Affordable Art Fair Manhattan, Foosner Art Museum and many other notable events. My work has appeared in the Danish Magazine X-Ray, Aesthetica Magazine, Florida Design, Boston Yacht Club Magazine, Studio Visit Magazine, Influence Magazine, as well as many other publications, tv shows and commercials.

Gratefully, I am represented by reputable galleries while my prints and textiles are sold by vendors internationally.

I currently live and work in beautiful Tampa, Florida where inspiration is at every turn.

Memberships

Invited International Artist Member: Athens Art, Greece Member: Florida Artists Group FLAG Member: Gulf Coasts Art Association

Education

Seminole Vocational Technical Institute (High School)- Graphic Design International Academy of Design College, Freshman year, Fashion Design and Illustration Columbia College, Chicago, IL. BFA Fine Arts International Academy of Design. 60 Credit hours, Interior Design (licensed 2000- 2011 FL) Transformation Academy. Certified: Therapeutic Art Coach

PMC: How did you learn about your work as an artist?

MJ: Being an artist came to me naturally. Success progressed with my efforts, both educationally and creatively.

PMC: What are the mediums you use the most in your work?

MJ: To begin with, I incorporate irregular shapes which move around the canvas. Close inspection reveals rough, textured surfaces from the thick application of medium on linen- including oil, acrylic, ink and oil pastel, reiterating the earthly and organic nature of my subject.

PMC: How would you define yourself as an artist?

MJ: I would define myself as a contemporary, coastal artist.

Fleeting glimpses, glistening light, inspired and healing. Reflections of a moment in time. Margaret Juul's compositions are fresh and original expressions of the colors and patterns of water in motion. Captured in visual art as an unwavering hold on her spirit — with fluidity, intuition and reflective volatility.

PMC: Were you affected by Hurricane Ian on the Florida coast?

MJ: I have not heard back on the extent of the damage to my work. The gallery was under 3 feet of water. I am assuming the gallery owner is waiting to hear from the insurance company for a total damage assessment. Thankfully, the gallery was able to reopen this week. You can see my work wrapped in the back of the image where the owner is pushing out water off the floor with a broom. Also attached are pieces available before the storm.