Margaret Walsh Best

The Art

Techniques

  • Primarily Watercolour

Approach / Inspiration

I work mainly in watercolour to capture the subtleties of colour, form, and shadow in the landscape and the natural elements within. My holistic approach combines the artist's eye with scientific and historic research so that by the time I pull out my brushes, I feel like I am painting the portrait of an old friend. 

Biography

My love of plants was first nurtured by my Irish-born grandmother with whom I spent many childhood hours in the family garden in Kingman's Cove, Fermeuse, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. While tending to the plants, I was captivated by my grandmother's stories on where the various plants had come from and what they were used for. 

I am passionate about passing on my own continually evolving skills and techniques as an artist, curator, and art educator. I work with children and adults in schools locally and internationally, to foster a love of the natural world through artistic expression. I offer weekly adult classes, as well as workshops on specific themes, throughout the year in locations locally and around the world. I enjoy contributing to my community by volunteering with arts and non-profit organizations on their boards and assisting with special projects. 

Exhibitions / Awards 

In addition to a long list of local and annual exhibitions:

  • Peoples' Choice Award, Botanical Artists of Canada, online exhibition, 2018
  • Rooted in Art: Native Plants of Newfoundland & Labrador, St. John’s, NL, 2018
  • Fare & Square, Eastern Edge Gallery, NL 2017 & 2018
  • Art in the Garden: Tourin House (2016) Cappoquin County Waterford, Ireland
  • Heritage Irish Plants: Plandaí Oidhreachta (2016) Glasnevin, Ireland
  • Forget Me Not, (2016) St. John’s, NL
  • Play (​2015) St. John’s, NL
  • The Four Seasons (2014) Botanical Artists of Canada, Todmorden Mills ON
  • Fluid and Form (2014) St. John’s, NL
  • The Ireland Newfoundland Trail: A Journey of Plants & People (2012 & 2013, curator and exhibitor) St. John’s, NL, Waterford City and Tramore Ireland 
  • Society of Canadian Artists, Ogilvy’s at Tudor Hall (2013, juried) Montreal, Quebec 
  • Botanical Artists of Canada, Papermill Gallery (2013, juried) Toronto, ON
  • Botanical Artists of Canada Exhibition (2012, juried) Toronto, ON
  • Plants of The Newfoundland Emigrant Trail (2011) Five Island Art Gallery, NL and Regina Mundi Cultural Centre, Renews, NL
  • Balancing Act: Invasive Alien Plants (2010, 2011, & 2013) Meaford ON,  New Brunswick Botanical Garden (Canada) Dungarvan and Tramore (Ireland) Athens, Georgia (USA) – Solo
  • From an Island to an Island: Landscapes of Southeastern Ireland & Newfoundland (2009) NL
  • A Brush with History: The Gardens of the Colony of Avalon (2005) Ferryland, NL – Solo
  • Visions of the Garden (2004) Niagara Falls, ON

Membership

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    American Society of Botanical Artists​​​​​
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    Art Association of Newfoundland & Labrador (Honorary Life Membership)
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    Botanical Artists of Canada​​​​
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    Botanical Art Society of Newfoundland and Labrador (Founding Member)
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    Canadian Association of Painters in Watercolour (Associate member)
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    Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador
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    Irish Society of Botanical Artists
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    Resource Centre for the Arts 
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    Society of Canadian Artists (Elected Member)

Contact

Studio Locations: St. John's & Tors Cove, NL Canada

Website: http://www.margaretwalshbest.com

Email: walshbest@gmail.com

Tel: (709) 753-2643

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