Meet Maggie Bard | Pen and Ink Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Maggie Bard and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maggie, how do you think about risk?
I work in pen and ink, so the idea of permanence is built into my process- once something is on the page, it’s not easy to change. So risk taking is a regular practice for me, and often informs the work. The biggest artistic breakthroughs I’ve had were the result of taking risks, whether it was expanding stylistically because my interests changed, or deciding to leave the city that I spent years building a significant community in. It’s impossible to evolve as an artist and human if you’re afraid of making a mistake.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m most proud of the projects and exhibitions that I planned and implemented entirely on my own. When I was rejected by dozens of residency programs, I outlined and fundraised for one I designed myself tailored to my own goals. When I couldn’t get picked up by a gallery, I found non-traditional spaces to hang my shows. My alternative to feeling rejected from the art world has been to build something else, and I would encourage any artist who has been there to try to do the same. I’ve been a working artist for over twenty years, and it’s been difficult without much institutional support or financial backing. But the main objective for me has always been figuring out how to make my work without dying (nailed it so far.)

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
One of the things I enjoy doing the most in New Orleans is getting a cocktail and just walking around the city, but I spend the most time in the Bywater where I live, or the surrounding area. The bmike murals by the train tracks are one of my favorite parts of the neighborhood, along with Studio BE nearby. Crescent Park is a beautiful waterfront park that you can access by walking over a high arced bridge called the Rusty Rainbow. Euclid Records is an amazing record shop and Low Timers has one of a kind vintage clothing and housewares. Parlour Books has an excellently curated selection of used books. Bar Brine for dinner, St. Germaine for wine. And then there’s possibly the greatest dive bar in the world- Saturn Bar.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are far too many people who have supported and encouraged my work that I can’t name one without naming all of them. However, I will shout out to Alone Time Gallery for being the best DIY gallery space in New Orleans, and for supporting so many amazing artists around the city.

Website: www.maggiebard.com

Instagram: instagram.com/toomanyghosts

Image Credits
Jason White Eyoel Kahssay