Soul of the Gulf: The Art and Inspiration of Margaret Biggs

“Nature has always been a place of healing for me, a doorway to the spiritual world. With the use of color, rhythm and form I seek to heighten people’s awareness, uplift and heal.”
Margaret Biggs

Born and raised on the North Gulf Coast, Margaret Biggs’s oil paintings capture the beauty of the area with all of its intricacies. Her paintings portray landscapes, seascapes, flowers and seashells, as well as a series that she refers to as her “holistic” pieces. These ethereal paintings portray intricate views of the water’s surface, sections of a beach or a portion of the sky. Now living in California, her work has taken inspiration from the west coast as well.

Raised by parents whose passion for the natural environment ran deep, Margaret spent much of her childhood cruising the bays and bayous of Pensacola in a small boat or bouncing up and down on the tailgate of her father’s “beach buggy” searching the Gulf beaches for the perfect place to fish and swim.

Her roots and love of Pensacola run deep, stretching back many generations. Yet her curiosity was strong and she knew an opportunity to model in New York City was her chance to explore the world.

The years of working as a fashion model throughout Europe also gave her the opportunity to explore her passion for the visual arts. There she was introduced to the masters at the many art museums she routinely visited. She later settled down in Chicago where she furthered her art education at The University of Illinois. She had the privilege of studying under Kerry James Marshall whose advice and approach to painting influence her to this day. It was during this time that she was also introduced to yoga and meditation. These disciplines have had a profound impact on her life, leading her to a deep spirituality, and helping her to deal with the inevitable hardships of life.

Nature has always been a place of healing for Margaret. When in a place of natural beauty she is overcome with awe and feels a deep oneness with all of life. Stillness overcomes her and she drops deeply into the present moment. Artistically converting her experiences, she strives to inspire others in their search for inner peace. 

Margaret is influenced by mid-20th-century Realism and Expressionism. Her imagery has been popular in the Evidence-Based Healing Arts Movement and can be found in medical facilities, hotels and businesses nationwide. Her work was a part of the Arts in Embassies program and has been featured in numerous solo and group shows.

Margaret’s authenticity, passion and skill comes through in her work. Her paintings draw the viewer in and leave them inspired, at peace and a little bit more capable to deal with the complexities of life. 

What separates commercial art from fine art? It is the willingness of the artist to bear their soul. This willingness, along with the sheer beauty of Margaret’s work, leaves the observer bathed in a cloak of serenity and understanding of her intent to uplift others and help them heal.

She is currently represented by EDNA Contemporary Art in San Luis Obispo, CA. 

To view more of Margaret’s soulful work, visit her website at www.margaretbiggs.com

You can find her on Instagram and Facebook at “Margaret Biggs Fine Art”. For inquiries, email her at margaret@margaretbiggs.com.