Margaux Allard was born on 1965 in Regina, Saskatchewan on October 28. Shortly after birth it was discovered that Margaux had an under-developed optic nerve, this damage happened shortly after she was born. She is registered in Canada as legally blind. Margaux is blind in one eye and has about 10% of her vision in the other so she cannot operate a vehicle and would find it difficult navigating an unfamiliar city or traveling without assistance. She chooses to consider her impairment a challenge rather than a disability. She shares her visual impairment with the public not as a means to promote her artwork but instead as a way to educate and inspire them. With the use of a monocular and a handheld magnifying glass, Margaux was able to attend regular public school. Being surrounded by and keeping up with students who had regular eyesight was both physically and emotionally daunting for Margaux but her parents were very supportive and thought this would better prepare her to live in a world that was designed for sighted people. They felt a school for the blind and visually impaired would just shelter her. Even though attending regular public school could at times be very frustrating for Margaux she was happy with her parents choice because she feels it made her a much stronger person today and also in grade seven she met her life long friend and chosen sister Tracey whom she is still very close to today.
When Margaux was in her early twenties she discovered that drawing through a very strong magnifying glass allowed her to add far more detail to her art, dramatically improving the quality of her work. Of course this opened a whole new creative doorway for her.
Margaux has no formal artistic training other than the art classes she attended while going to public school. During her teens and twenties Margaux never saved her drawings she would draw them then throw them away. Unbeknownst to her, Margaux’s mother Margaret was retrieving them from the trash and framing them.
When Margaux was in her mid twenties she was working and training in Alberta as a graphic designer. Her mother called her and said that she and her dad Roy, were going to help someone at a craft fair and wanted to try to sell some of Margaux’s art. Her mum asked Margaux how much money she wanted for each piece and of course she had no idea. They eventually worked out a price and her mum called her up that evening and said that she had sold some of her work. This was such good news and this inspired Margaux to start taking her artwork more seriously. With the help of Thomas Slattery, uncle “B”, Margaux was introduced to various local businesses and she started displaying and selling her artwork in local galleries and weekend outdoor markets. As time passed Margaux’s artwork was receiving more recognition and articles about her have appeared in many magazines, papers and other publications. Margaux has sold both original art and prints in various places all over the world, she jokingly says she wishes she was as well traveled as her artwork is. It is her dream to go to Ireland, England, Scotland, India and Japan with her husband David. Which are some of the places her artwork has gone to.
In 2007 Margaux started her passion business called Krazy Kat Lady Studio and Gallery and her husband David built a home based studio where she could create and display her artwork. She says her gallery is her favourite place to spend her time! Her creative space was well received and she has even had various bus tours and groups come through. Even though Margaux works full-time as a graphic designer her passion business is still in operation and you can visit her gallery by appointment..
In 2015 Margaux and her husband David started a signs, graphics and printing business in Creston, BC called All Signs Graphics and Printing where her husband works as a sign writer and she is a graphic designer. Margaux loves her work as a graphic designer it is her dream job! You can find both her artwork and graphic design work on facebook with the provided links to those pages are provided below.
In 2019 Margaux’s mum got her an iPad Pro and her husband got her an iPen for her birthday, so she has started working in Adobe Fresco. This has added another level to her personal art and graphic design work. She has started using her iPad Pro to design her own vector files for her All Signs customers that she can incorporate into custom designed logos and other products. Also this has given her the opportunity to experiment with a new medium. Because the artwork is all digital Margaux doesn’t need to use her visual aids to draw because she can enlarge her work on the iPad screen, this has been an absolute joy for her. Margaux’s creativity is inspired by many things. First and foremost she adores cats and does a lot of cat themed art. She loves being surrounded by nature rather than being in the city. She loves 1920’s music, art and fashion, First Nations themed art as well as Asian, Middle Eastern, Indian and ancient European cultures, dark art, fantasy and surrealism. She is greatly inspired by artists such as Valentina Kallias, Tim Burton, Edward Gory, Queenie Black, Vincent Marcone – Creator of My Pet Skeleton, Christine McConnell – a gothic Martha Stewart who designed and created a 500 pound gingerbread house of the original Winchester Mystery House as well as many other delightfully creepy projects. When Margaux is in her studio she loves to listen to old time radio or vintage radio horror or mysteries, Anything Ghost, paranormal or cryptids stories podcasts. She listens to music by Voltaire, Rasputina, Dresden Dolls or Amanda Palmer, Johnny Hollow, Jakalope, Type O Negative, Marilyn Manson, Alice Cooper and Ozzy Osbourne and much more!
Margaux wants to teach people who don’t have disabilities to be respectful, and empathetic towards those who do. Because there are many amazing and talented people in the world who have to achieve their goals in unconventional ways because of their disabilities but this doesn’t make their accomplishments less valid or valuable! Margaux also wants to inspire people with disabilities of all kinds to think outside the box. Never allow anyone to set boundaries for you. Step outside your comfort zone and constantly challenge yourself to try new creative ideas. Do not allow the prejudice or ignorance of others to devalue your skills or define who you are. Never allow anyone to discourage you from achieving your dreams and goals! The last statement is for everyone whether they have a disability or not!
Photo above is me and my awesome husband David. I love him dearly and he has been such an inspiration and help to me over the years since the first day we met… Photo was taken at our place of business All Signs Graphics and Printing that we co-own.
Margaux’s message to everyone is remember, no matter what form of art you choose to express yourself with always make sure to HAVE FUN!!!!!
