Margaret Carpenter Arnett was born and educated in England and has lived most of her adult life in the western United States. Artist, therapist, teacher, writer, mother and grandmother, she is an accomplished and talented painter who demonstrates command of technique and narrative. Primarily a watercolorist, Margaret also works with pastel, mixed media and collage.
Her award-winning paintings are hanging in collections in England and throughout the United States.
She has participated in juried and invitational shows in the northwest and had many successful one-woman shows. In 1984 she published her first book, Seasons of Change, a thoughtful blend of words and watercolors. She is currently represented by galleries in Seattle, Eastern Washington, and Lake Tahoe.
Largely inspired by nature and the environment in which I live and travel, whether on land or boating, I enjoy trying to capture the essence and mood of what I see. Creating depth and a visual path, I want to invite the viewer to enter the image and rest awhile.
When not painting directly from nature, I like to begin with abstract washes and allow images or symbols to emerge or arise from the unconscious mind. These are images that I interact with as they grow and develop, one concept leading to another sometimes bringing quotes and phrases to mind, as in “The Many Faces of God”. (available as a giclee print).
This art is closely linked to my work in art therapy.
Margaret Carpenter Arnett, BSN, ATR, Art Therapist
Information about my work as an art therapist: I am currently semi-retired and working on a book as well as leading two art therapy support groups.
1998-present
Art Therapist, University of Washington Medical Center.
Living Well with Cancer support group. Supervision of Art Therapy interns, Antioch University program.
2009-present
Art Therapist, Skagit Valley Hospital Regional Cancer Center.
Cancer support group.
1991-2001
Art Therapist, Childhaven (day treatment center for CPS referred pre-school children), Seattle, Washington.
Staff education and support. Research Children’s drawings (published). Led art therapy sessions for abused and abusive parents.
1989-2006
Instructor, Heritage Institute, Antioch University, Seattle, Washington. One-day workshops and guided independent study on using drawings as a tool for communication in the classroom and counseling.
1986-present
Art Therapist (Private Practice), Seattle, Washington. Individual therapy. Consultation. Workshop leader (see list). Teaching. Specialty: interpretation of spontaneous drawings.
1983-2003
Art Therapist, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Memorial Hospital, Yakima, Washington. Individual therapy with patients. Staff training. Consult with psychiatrists on individual case histories. Included work with pediatric, pre-natal, cancer and terminally ill patients, and consulting with physicians and staff on patient care.
MARI Art Therapist. Staff support through Dept. of Organizational Health and Wellness, Memorial Hospital, Yakima, utilizing MARI evaluation system. 1995-2003 Private sessions available.
For further information about art therapy visit American Art Therapy Association.
Galleries
- Kirsten Gallery, Seattle, WA
- A.R.T. Fine Arts, Bellevue, WA
- Gallery One, Ellensburg, WA
- Ryrie’s, Tahoe City, CA
- Gallery Mac, Seattle, WA
Juried Shows & Awards
- Artists of Central Washington
- City of Yakima – Purchase Award
- Central Washington State Fair – Seven Watercolor Awards including Best of Show 1981
- Bellevue Arts & Crafts Show
Publications
- Margaret Carpenter, Seasons of Change, Coleman Publishing, New York (1984) – art/poetry
- Marky Daniel, Discovery Passage – illustrations
- Shields Bag & Printing, Yakima, WA (1988) – calendar
- Yakima Symphony Orchestra, Yakima, WA (1989) – poster
- White Pass Ski Area (1993) – poster
