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Meet Your Artist: Margo Thomas

Get to know your Vail Valley artists

Recently, Margo Thomas has been focusing on abstract mountain landscapes, inspired by the mountains right here in the Vail Valley.
Margo Thomas/Courtesy photo

The Vail Daily will be running a series highlighting some of the artists in the Vail Valley. To be considered, please send an email to request the questionnaire to A&E reporter Tricia Swenson (tswenson@vaildaily.com).

Q: How long have you lived in the valley and what brought you here?

A: I originally moved to the valley in 1982, then spent several years split between Denver and Vail. Now I’ve been here again full time for the past 11 years. The crisp blue skies and the fresh mountain air brought me here from Detroit, Michigan.



Q: Where did your passion for art come from?

A: I started taking art classes just after 9/11. I suppose that was my way of coping. It turns out I was pretty good at drawing and painting. I discovered how to communicate through art.

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Margo Thomas started taking art classes after 9/11 and uses art to communicate and provide joy and calm to all.
Courtesy photo

Q: Describe your style of art.

A: Lately I’ve been focusing on abstract mountain landscapes, inspired by the mountains right here in our valley. Mediums of choice include oil, alcohol ink and acrylics. Some pieces have been digitized for large scale printing and embellishment to fit taste and room space.

Q: Who are your favorite artists?

A: Of the masters, it would be Pablo Picasso because his works have taught me how to look at subjects through a different lens. One of my art teachers from Denver, Tony Ortega, taught me these key skills: stop before you’re finished; paint using your entire arm; paint what you think you see (not what you actually see).

Margo Thomas has lived in and out of the Vail Valley since 1982.
Margo Thomas/Courtesy photo

Q: Tell us about one of your favorite pieces that you’ve worked on.

A: “Fire Mountain” is a piece that was originally an alcohol ink. I transformed it into a high-resolution digital art piece that can be printed on any surface in any size. It won an award at the 2021 Vail Valley Fine Art Show and is one of the first large-scale pieces I’ve sold to private collectors.  

Q: Who has helped you along the way? Who/what inspires you?

A: The Art Students League of Denver

  • Palette and Chisel Academy, Chicago
  • Vail Valley Art Guild – Melissa Nelson
  • Eagle Arts and ARTSPaCE – Tara Novak
  • Alpine Arts Center – Lauren Merrill
  • My lovely assistant and husband – Greg Thomas
  • My biggest fan and father – Edgar Williams

My greatest inspiration comes from hiking and camping right here at home. From sunsets in Edwards to standing at the summit of Vail Mountain. There is always a mountain ridge or a stand of trees to admire.

Q: If you weren’t an artist, what would you be doing?

A: Recently, I took on the role of art curator. I managed the entire curation project for the newly renovated Charter at Beaver Creek. The homeowner’s association collection is entirely from local artists and photographers. Several pieces are on display as consignments. This was a tremendous opportunity for local artists thanks to East West Properties and The Charter homeowner’s association.

I will probably continue in an art curation role for local projects. Check out our first Charter Artwalk on Dec 20.

Margo Thomas typically works with mediums such as oil, alcohol ink and acrylics.
Margo Thomas/Courtesy photo

Q: What do you hope people take away from your work?

A: My goal is to communicate harmony through visual experiences. Visual art should always tell a story. Many artists make a social or political statement or go for “shock art” to change norms. That is not my goal. I simply hope to provide joy and calm to all.

Q: Where is your work shown (a local gallery) or how/where can people view it?

A: My work is at the following and you can check out my website: MargoThomas.art

  • Vail Valley Art Guild – Eagle Gallery
  • Eagle Arts and ARTSPaCE – various events
  • Alpine Arts Center
  • Second Street Tavern (formerly Bonfire) – Eagle

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