Goward House

The Artist’s Bio

Margo (Brisebois) Styan was raised on a farm in Saskatchewan. In her younger years she remembers fondly the times she spent drawing. After leaving home Margo worked her way across Canada. She enjoyed exploring and experiencing different lifestyles. When she arrived in the Yukon she knew this would be “home”. She soon met some Tlingit people and loved learning from them. Eventually she was given the honor of being adopted into the Johns family. She married Jim Styan in 1982 and they fostered and then adopted six wonderful children. In 1993 a “miracle” baby was born.

Even though all this activity took up a great deal of her time, Styan was able to fit in some art work in the family dining room. In 1998 the family moved to the Okanagan where Margo was finally able to focus and develop her own style of artwork. She now considers that as fulfilling one of her life’s dreams. Jim is truly her helpmate in this endeavor who has dyed many of the fabrics which Margo needs. She is a self taught artist and a pioneer among fabric artists. She is passionate of this medium and at first glance one thinks her art is a painting. Margo and Jim have lived on Vancouver Island since 2003 and now reside in the Saanich Peninsula. Margo has also taught many students over the years, both children and adults, the joyful activity of creating fabric art wall hangings.

The Artist’s Statement

“There is a great need for peace and tranquility in the world today. Every living being can testify to this. We must stop, look, listen, and meditate upon all the wondrous things that the Creator has provided for our well being and growth. My art is intended to help those who stop for a while to look and then listen to their own inner beatings of their heart which urges them to meditate and discover truth for themselves and help them “grow and develop and appear in the utmost beauty”. I believe we all have a gift that needs to be discovered and offered to this existence, and thus peace and tranquility can be found”.

Warm Regards- Margo Styan, Fabric Artist