Margaret Preston by Elizabeth Butel is a lively biography and art study of one of Australia's most influential twentieth-century artists. The book traces Margaret Preston's long and innovative career, exploring her evolution from realist painting to Post-Impressionism, modernism, printmaking, and her incorporation of Aboriginal-inspired motifs into a uniquely Australian artistic style. Butel examines Preston's determination to achieve artistic and financial independence, her travels in Australia and overseas, her outspoken views on art, and her lasting impact on the development of modern Australian art. The book portrays Preston as a bold, energetic and often controversial figure whose vision helped shape a distinctly Australian artistic identity.