International artist Margie Bowker was born and educated in South Africa, Margie followed her family to live in the U.S and settled on the Central Coast of California in 1997.  

Margie graduated from the Grahamstown Training College with a major in Fine Arts. Even though she was a teacher for many years, Margie has always been an artist.

Her portfolio and subject matter is very diverse and it ranges from portraiture to landscapes. She has also illustrated children’s books.  Her French Ladies have always been very popular and are known as the Ladies with One Striped Stocking. 

She is a unique artist with the conviction that a painting is a spiritual gift that comes from God through the artist’s inner sanctum. A good painting does not go out of style; it brings joy and happiness to those in it’s presence.  “I believe the reward as an artist is the enjoyable process of creation, giving birth to shape, color and value. The owner’s reward is the visual and aesthetic pleasure which nourishes the soul,” stated Margie. 

Margie is a prolific painter and paints in all mediums including oils, watercolor and pastels. She has furthered her studies with illustrious artists such as Dale Elliot and Rob Wareing in South Africa, Craig Nelson, Charles Reid, Ted Goerschner, Mary Whyte and Jan Kunz to name a few. She has held many solo exhibitions both in the U. S. and abroad. Per Margie “Art is my passion and my living. I thank God every day for giving me this talent and such a wonderful job!”

Margie supports many non-profit organizations raising funds with her donated paintings, such as Hats for Hope (Breast Cancer) and Santa Maria Humane Society animal shelter. One of Margie’s favorite things to do is to illustrate children’s books. She also enjoys giving art lessons in her studio in Santa Barbara county.

Her work is influenced by the beauty of the Central Coast and often times she paints to remember the country of her birth, South Africa. Margie and her husband spent six weeks in South Africa in 2013 collecting new references for Xhosa paintings. 

Margie paints in watercolors, oils, pastels and mixed media and works in the following genres; portraits, animals, buildings, antique cars, family portraits, country scenes, vineyards, cartoon drawing, wild flowers, children and miniatures.

 Contact Margie at bowkermargaret@gmail.com or 805-937.0665