As a mother of eight and grandmother to four, Margaret Mara’s (nee de Jersey) painting ability is obviously coupled with a talent for time management. Working around a busy schedule, Margaret produces a steady flow of paintings for scheduled shows. In 2005, after becoming frustrated and unsatisfied with painting realistically, Margaret found comfort with a more contemporary and abstract style.  Drawing inspiration from the immediate events in her life, Margaret reflects on many other areas for inspiration; the environment, family stories, living in the Cape, emotions and anything else that has direct effect on her as an individual. Belonging to an extremely creative family, Margaret’s desire to establish her artistic career as a full time profession seems a natural progression. After an unwelcome break from painting in 2008, Margaret’s passion was ignited again and with it came the reawakening of a striking and dominant, bold female figure that had lain dormant for over two years. Inspired and enthused,  her journey began and what unfolded has proved to strengthen her career enormously. The foundations have been set with notable features in several magazines as well as local joint and solo shows. Margaret also has paintings in many private collections both nationally and internationally, and in the collections of businesses such as Rio Tinto and the QLD Public Service Office in Brisbane.