December 17th, 2025Artists of the Central Highlands
Art comes in many varieties. Artist Margaret Morgan’s father studied violin at the Melbourne Conservatory and her mother had her learning ballet with Jennie Brenan before she realised her daughter had two left feet. Her father would play his grand piano for hours for relaxation. Margaret was taught painting at school by Mrs Zieker who would have the class painting to music, getting the students thinking outside the square. Mother Marcella would take the class on walks throughout the garden, taking in the beautiful purple shadows cast by the cypress trees. Fast forward and Margaret has just received an honourable mention in Teravarna’s 15th Abstract International Juried Art Competition for her work Lake Nagambie. She chatted with Donna Kelly.
Donna: When did you realise you were an artist?
Margaret: I have always loved painting and took oil painting lessons from Ron Reynolds and Marion Bruere when my children were at kindergarten. My first painting with Ron was Beethoven’s death mask. Ron would have us paint tonally from black and white photographs. An en plein air excursion every four weeks was beneficial to development. I spent many years between baseball, basketball, swimming and poodle breeding when the children were at home. I took up painting when they left home, having watercolour lessons from David Taylor.
Donna: What is your preferred media – and subject?
Margaret: I will say watercolour, I find it exciting and challenging. One has to work out systematically how the pigmentation will lay on the paper, however, the same applies to silk paint and acrylic pouring. I poured on a guitar recently (pictured below) and am itching to paint another with a schmear effect. The mind has come up with how I would tackle it, drawing outlines with gutta. I enjoy pouring acrylic paint, mixing pigmentation and working with a blow torch to create cells.
Donna: You have won many prizes, is that still a thrill?
Margaret: Always. Recognition is wonderful.
Donna: Can anyone be an artist? You used to hold classes at Woodend.
Margaret: I am not taking classes at present, but yes, anyone can paint. What I have found interesting with students is that so many people don’t think outside the square, have never painted a subject with paper upside down or held a finger on a watercolour brush and rubbed along paper to form a broken line.
Donna: Where can we see your work?
Margaret: I have an exhibition at Heathcote Winery. The paintings will be hung on the morning of December 16 and remain until February 9.
Donna: What drew you to life in the country?
Margaret: This is interesting, I bought in Kilmore East (daughter was in Lancefield, one son in Pheasant Creek, another son in Montmorency). Kilmore East was central to all of them. I often drove a school friend to Kerang, we would stop in Kilmore on the way home, fish and chips, a brandy and toilet break. I used to say ‘I would love to live in Kilmore’ not believing that one day I would. I have great uncles buried in Heathcote Cemetery, some relatives were born in Bylands, my maternal grandfather was born in Woodend. Perhaps an attraction to an area. I grew up in East Rosanna as a young child and the first house I bought when I married was in Montmorency – both rural years ago.
