Artist Interview with Margaret Tsirantonakis

Artist Interview with Margaret Tsirantonakis

Purchase fine art for sale by Margaret Tsirantonakis.


Welcome to AllArtWorks Featured Artist Series!


1. What other profession is similar to being an artist and why?

The writing profession because an author creates something new and usually works alone.


2. What’s the nicest thing you can remember someone said about your work, or an individual piece?

“Matisse’s soul must be floating among your paintings” a response to my most recent solo show.
“Gorgeous economy of precious decisions” on an individual piece, said by David Cohen about my drawing “Deborah” (in the “Pets of the Pandemic” benefit exhibition that he juried.)


3. What’s one thing you’d like everyone to know about you as an artist?

The influence of my birthplace, Chania, Crete on my work. Although I left when I was one I have visited often since childhood. The light, color, feeling of place directly or indirectly makes its way into my painting.
4. What was the last piece of art that you saw that blew you away?

Bonnard’s “Dining Room at Vernonnet” Metropolitan Museum of Art, which I saw this summer. Bonnard still surprises me. Deep red pinks/ oranges; every square inch keeps my color interest. I loved looking close up at this painting. It’s thrilling to see how he put down the paint with a variety of brushstrokes/markings.


5. What’s something you haven’t done but you want to do in art/painting?

A series of paintings with a narrative that I have not used before.


6. Which artist do you like better - Ingres or Delacroix, and why?*

Delacroix for his mastery of color. I like the intensity of his color. Delacroix was a colorist and color is very important to my work. I also love his travel watercolor sketches. Although I admire Ingres’ line, my connection to Delacroix is stronger.

*The reason we ask about Delacroix and Ingres is because they were contemporaries with wildly different styles!