Margery Thomas Mueller: Liminal Space

Fine artist Margery Thomas Mueller was born in Brooklyn, New York and was raised in Long Island, New York. She currently resides in Alton, New Hampshire. As a full-time artist, she creates abstract and thought-provoking work. Using many of life’s lessons and circumstances as inspiration, her art work speaks for itself. Meet Margery Thomas Mueller.

Currents, 60"x80" © Margery Thomas

Who is Margery the artist & how does she express herself?

I was an artist from my early childhood. It is always what I have done. I spent many years as an interior designer while raising three daughters on my own. However, I never abandon my art. In the evenings and weekends, art is always present. Then 11 years ago I got remarried, closed the interior design office, and started a life that was full-time with my art. My life became exactly what I wanted it to be. The best advice I can give to any artist is show up, work every day, and it will happen.

What do you consider your best piece of work?

My current art work now is my best piece of work, the work I have been working on for the past eight years. It has evolved each year and has just gotten better. Continual work allows the brain to connect to the creative work inside oneself. My work has inspired my humanity and liminal space. I also use yupo paper for all of my work.

Diptych 1, 40"x52" © Margery Thomas

Do you have any inspirations with becoming an artist?

As a child it was always what I did, and I was lucky enough to have a wonderful art teacher whose career allowed her to follow me though my whole undergraduate schooling. And, of course, I would draw every night. It is truly just who I am.

Has it always been easy for people to understand your art work?

People have always responded. Whether they have understood it or not, even more so with my most current work. The fact that it deals with the human condition, I think people read into what they see. That is what one hopes for.

Is there a specific category of painting that describes your pieces?

Not really. I have referenced it as abstracted landscape, but it has evolved as more figurative in the recent years.

2020 # 11, 60"x60" © Margery Thomas

Normal day for you as an artist when it comes to creating new pieces?

A normal day for me is working in my studio for about five to six hours. My inspiration for new pieces comes from watching what is happening in the world, which is a lot to watch these days. Medium speaks a lot to me. Yupo paper is very fluid. There are many mediums that work on it: mostly I use inks, watercolor and graphite. I start with a basic composition and then work with how the medium leads me.

Biggest accomplishment?

Getting to where I am today! The last nine years of doing what I love full-time. Seeing myself evolve as an artist. I can honestly say I’m pleased with my evolution. Especially at my age. One of my biggest art inspirations is Carmen Herrera. She is a Cuban -American artist who sold her first painting at age 91. She is currently 105 years old.

2020 # 8, 60"x42" © Margery Thomas

What was the "Aha moment that being an artists was your passion & is what you wanted to do full-time?

It was never a question in my mind that I didn’t know this was my passion. It was always there from my childhood.

On your journey what is the best lesson that you received that helped shape you as an artist?

I would say listening to Chuck Close. He does everything. He is well known for being a "Photorealistic painter & photographer". Our brains go into function when we work on our passion all the time. The more you practice, you do progress. That’s the “aha moment.” Do the work! Just show up!

2020 # 6, 40"x26" © Margery Thomas

4 words to describe your art work?

Liminal Space, Humanity and Struggle. My work has its own meaning. Refugees are an inspiration, as well as current events in the world, as well as hunger and social work. They all play out into my work.

2020 # 7, 60"x60" © Margery Thomas

An important quote from Chuck Close is, “The advice I like to give young artists, or really anybody who’ll listen to me, is not to wait around for inspiration. Inspiration is for amateurs; the rest of us just show up and get to work.”