Marg Millard
Marg Millard is a Canadian artist and local Nova Scotia shop based in White Point. She paints acrylic and watercolour landscape paintings.
What inspired you to start your business?
I was very ill. I “died” in 2008. I came back to paint. Plain and simple. I needed to paint.
I needed best quality materials and lessons so I started to sell my work. Since then I have been dealing with even more health issues and the work, well it isn’t really work, I submerge in my studio and something happens, it sustains me.
Now I know so many issues were related to MS. It explains so much and offers an insight to what may be in my future.
My painting keeps my brain working even when my body wants to quit.
I keep reaching for more and more ways to hold my memories, to share them.
I live in one of the world’s most beautiful places. I want to record it all.
How would you describe your business?
I have a studio; a room in my home that has a window that is at ground level. It has a sink and cupboards being an old kitchen.
It is loaded with canvases, papers and pigments. I have instruction books and magazines offering instruction and guidance.
As pieces sold, I was able to purchase and explore so many materials. If I saw something I didn’t understand I have been known to contact the artist or the company who made a product and ask how?? , Why?? Most times I got an answer.
I am fortunate. Years ago when I left High School, I trained as a cartographic draftsman and that gave me such a good start dealing with perspective. This was before computers and calculators. I am getting old. That course opened so many avenues for me over many years. Painting seems to draw on all my work experiences.
I have been fortunate to, through sales, afford to go to several week long seminars offered by members of a group of watercolour painters, https://cspwc.ca/ and what an experience these classes have been! I treasure them.
I am encouraged to go out onsite with my paintbox and paint . I try to capture the essence of what is out there, from the view, the sounds, the smells and the birds.
Is my work unique? Yes. It comes from my heart feeding memories back into my brain.
What are your bestselling products?
My best selling paintings are my smalls. Small canvases 4 x 4″ through 6 x 12″s. I price them to sell.
When the papermill shut down, there was a lack of money in the area. I wanted people to be able to enjoy my work and to share it.
This is a rural area and people coming to special markets are looking for quick pick ups and easy carrying. Often larger pieces will be requested later on. Pieces of my work have gone all over the world.
Why do you think these paintings resonate so much with people?
It is a simple answer really. The stories I hear at markets.
I had a woman come to my stall. Several times she picked up one of the small pieces and then she walked away. Later, just before I took apart my table at market close she returned and bought that painting. She had tears in her eyes. She said she stood where I must have been standing on that point, waiting for her Dad’s boat to come home.
So many people from here (rural NS) go away to find work. They end up all over the world. Families want to send them memories of home. I am asked time and again can I go to such and such a spot and do a small piece they can send easily as a gift and a reminder they are missed and loved.
What’s your personal favourite product?
I have a piece in the sales area right now. It is one of my larger pieces. All shades of grey. It is not for sale but for show’ Soon it will come into the living area. I painted it, an acrylic, 24 x 30′ maybe, of one of my favourite places. A beach, on a day when the clouds were heavy and the ocean still. Just before a thunder storm came through. So much symbolism is contained in it. A friend who lived very close by was critically ill. I was very concerned.
The painting took off on its own as happens from time to time. When I came away, I had clouds and the sea. I took it to a show and sale and then I saw something I did not know was there. Someone pointed it out to me. It shows, from a distance that I don’t have in my work space’ the clouds formed a rough heart and there were steps leading up into them. “Stairway to Heaven” is its title. My friend will never be the same but they made it and I am so thankful.
What are your favourite local Nova Scotia business?
