Margit’s early paintings are characterized by being done in watercolor (as opposed to gouache that Margit gravitated towards later) and being done on paper or parchment as opposed to canvas board. Most of her early work was done in the 1950s.

Even in her early work, balance to Margit doesn’t mean the “most important” thing is centered in the scene. Often people, placed off center, are contrasted with a building or other natural feature in another area in the painting. And shadows stretching across the scene stand in for things like trees that are out of the viewer’s gaze.

The people Margit drew are usually walking away, because she didn’t feel comfortable drawing faces. In time, people make fewer and fewer appearances in Margit’s work, as she was never satisfied with how they turned out.

• Early nature paintings
• Early church paintings
• Others — Some early paintings are discussed on their own:

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