This First Saddle / Introduction image at top of page: Ponca Man Dance

Margaret Drake @ work

"I grew up having a special interest in horses and Indians and the western way of life.”

Margaret was raised in a small ranching community in Northwestern Colorado. She currently lives on a ranch near Glen Rose, Texas. After retiring from research within the pharmaceutical industry in 2009, she studied three-dimensional portraiture, then she moved on to figurative sculpture, studying from masters in the field. Margaret’s work has appeared in many prestigious juried shows throughout the United States. In 2016 Margaret won "Best of Show" at the Breckenridge Texas Fine Art Show. In 2017 her piece “Mr. Remington’s Cowboy” was acquired by the Museum of Western Art for permanent exhibition. In 2019 and 2020 she was chosen to teach sculpting at the prestigious Western Art Academy, Kerrville, Texas.

Tell us about yourself and your background.
I grew up having a special interest in horses and Indians and the western way of life. My upbringing in the extreme north western corner of Colorado where ranching and Indians and cowboys and bandits existed influenced me immensely. My years spent grooming, riding, and caring for my horses was time well spent, as I now am aware of the anatomy of a horse based on that experience. I still live on a ranch in Glen Rose, Texas, and continue to have horses and a variety of other animals close by to serve as models.
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"My upbringing in the extreme north western corner of Colorado where ranching and Indians and cowboys and bandits existed influenced me immensely."

"I strive very hard to depict athleticism with grace and beauty as well"

Tu Vienes

Comanche Dance

Tell us about your work and style, why is your sculptural approach unique?
I would mention that being a woman sculptor in the western art genre is not easy. Western art was traditionally created by the American male cowboy. Although I’m not a cowboy, In my area of art, I am required to compete with traditional male cowboy artists. Because of this I am driven to prove that I can create pieces every bit as good and perhaps better than their output.

Saber Charge

Tatanka

"Although I’m not a cowboy, In my area of art, I am required to compete with traditional male cowboy artists. Because of this I am driven to prove that I can create pieces every bit as good and perhaps better than their output."

Tell us about your process.
I have not yet created any monumental works, so all of my pieces are “tabletop” size art works. I strive very hard to depict athleticism with grace and beauty as well. I also do my own patinas, so I can add a touch of color to my own individual taste. All of this makes my pieces a bit different from the conventional sculptures of western art and animals. When people see my work, they always marvel at the detail I put into each piece. In 2016, one of my pieces, “Ohitika” won Best of Show at Breckenridge Fine Art show.

Mr Remington

Asking For Rain

"I also do my own patinas, so I can add a touch of color to my own individual taste. All of this makes my pieces a bit different from the conventional sculptures of western art and animals."
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Comanches

Runaway

How do you want your art to affect the viewer?
With my work, I want people to smile and feel good when they see my art. I want them to appreciate the detail and the accuracy of the subject that I’m portraying.
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What can we look forward to from you in the future? 
In the near future, I will continue to strive to create pieces that are better and better, in their portrayal of beauty and grace and detail. I have been approached about creating a monumental piece or two as well.

"With my work, I want people to smile and feel good when they see my art. I want them to appreciate the detail and the accuracy of the subject that I’m portraying."

Comanche Spirit

Comanche Song

​What do you think about art's role in our lives?  
I believe art and the associated appreciation of beauty is inherent within the human brain. It is an element of the environment which we all crave because it makes us “feel good” when we see something that affects us.  Because of this, art, in all forms, will be an important part of the human story until the end of time.

"In the near future, I will continue to strive to create pieces that are better and better, in their portrayal of beauty and grace and detail."

Coursers

What are you currently working on?
I am currently working on a Kiowa Black Legging Warrior, which I hope to finish within the next few months. I also have a piece coming out of the foundry very soon that I am particularly excited about. It’s a cavalry officer during the Indian Wars making a charge with a saber in his hand. The horse is in full gallop with only one leg on the ground.

"I believe art and the associated appreciation of beauty is inherent within the human brain. It is an element of the environment which we all crave because it makes us “feel good” when we see something that affects us."

Margaret Drake in Studio

Not Yet Titled

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How has the Covid pandemic affected your work? 
During this time of isolation with the COVID pandemic, 
I must say that my everyday life is not affected much. An artist spends many hours alone, creating and thinking and planning, and so this is not so unusual for me.

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www.margaretdrakestudio.com
www.margaretdrakefineart.com
www.instagram.com/MargaretDrakeStudio
www.facebook.com/MargaretDrakeStudio
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