“My love for art started young, I was one of those kids that couldn’t sit still,” smiles artist Margie McGrail Michals. “My mom was very influential in my path to creativity, always encouraging me to draw as a tactic to keep me still. From then on, I was always involved with the arts throughout my life.”

A Dental Assistant by day, earning an interior design degree at night, Michals eventually found herself working at the Boston Design Center for Diane Devine Fine Arts in the hopes of pursuing her passion for creativity. “I was working with artists from day to day and always thought, ‘I would love to do that.’” From busy everyday life, to different jobs, to children, to a few watercolor classes here and there, Michals thought back to something her mom told her before she passed, “She said, ‘You’re wasting your talent!’ Oh, the guilt!” she laughs. But those sound words from her mother rang true as her children encouraged her to share her work on Instagram. “I had been posting interior design, but my account really exploded when I posted my artwork. I had people reaching out asking if they could buy my work, asking if I did wholesale—I’m in eight stores now,” she smiles. 

“I think others are drawn to my art because it’s happy,” shines the watercolorist, as you’ll find the brighter hues in her palette are well-loved. On her Etsy page, you’ll discover her range of work depicting the ocean, flowers, people and recognizable places—most of which are inspired by her time on the Cape and Islands.  “A lot of the people who have commissioned me or bought one of my pieces I’ve met in person, and I love hearing how they interpret my artwork. It’s what I always wanted—for others to resonate with my art and feel the joy I do when I’m creating.” 

To see more from the artist, Margie McGrail Michals, visit both her Etsy page MargieMartwork or her Instagram @smallcupdesigns.