We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Cheryl Molnar a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Cheryl, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

In 202o, right as the pandemic was beginning, I was awarded a commission by the Los Angeles Municipal Arts Council to create a large scale permanent public art piece for a hospital lobby. I created a scene out of mosaic tile in which viewers such as patients, visitors and staff can “get lost in” as they visually explore the piece. “Birds in Flight” was inspired by my experiences in the high desert region and surrounding area. I captured the warm golden light that intensifies the unique desert palette during the golden hours of sunrise and sunset. The desert also offers expansive vistas that conceptually reflect opportunity and possibility. Natural vegetation and wild plants symbolize growth and renewal.

Despite the challenges of creating such a large project while we all had limited time and resources, I worked with Miotto Mosaic Art Studios and Travisanutto his and a team of tile crafters in Italy who made my designs come to life. The entire piece was fabricated and installed back in LA while in lockdown.

Knowing it would also be a difficult time for the patients and hospital community as well, I created a supplementary coloring book from my drawings to use as tool for relaxation and meditation. Recently, I had received a message from a young girl who was a patient of the hospital to let me know that she was really inspired by the mural and working on the coloring book at the hospital helped her though a difficult time. She plans on continuing to create art as she goes through the healing process.

Cheryl, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a creative brand consultant, artist, curator, and educator with a life-long interest in the intersection of fine and commercial art. My strength is pushing the envelope and making strong visual statements that pack a lot of meaning. I bring all my creative resources to the table in every project that I touch. I take pride in creating things that are visually thoughtful and engaging to the audience.

Bringing a skill set achieved with years of experience stemming from roots as an Art Director at Martha Stewart and an Executive Creative Director and Brand Steward for J.P. Morgan Corporate and Investment Bank, I work with clients from initial creative briefing to final design implementation to achieve personalized design objectives that have a lasting impact. I create cross-channel designs including public sites, marketing collateral, product branding, social media, video, and event content. My creative ability and relationships with professional fine artists and curators allow me to create customized, unique visual solutions that have a deep connection to my clients and their objectives.

As a visual artist, I am represented by C24 Gallery in Chelsea New York. I’ve been awarded commissions from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs as well as the County of Los Angeles. Currently, I am member artist at the Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts (EFA) and have been an artist in residence at Cooper Union, Wave Hill, Smack Mellon, Weir Farm and Watch Hill National Parks. Most recently, I have had my curatorial debut co-curating an exhibition for the SPRING/BREAK Art Show in New York and Los Angeles.

I hold a BFA from Rhode Island School of Design in Graphic Design and an MFA in Painting from Pratt Institute.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

With my newest curatorial endeavors, I aim to bring attention to artists who’s work is visually compelling and evoke various emotion that resonate with the audience. As a seasoned design consultant, I aim to make the connection to clients seeking distinctive imagery with which to tell their stories—and build their brands.

In addition, I am creating a digital gallery for artistic sustainability through commercial symbiosis, a marketplace where the work of creators—fine artists, illustrators, graphic designers, brand artists, photographers, videographers—will be commissioned, licensed, curated, and showcased at fair prices, by corporations, agencies, media companies, collectors, and otherwise. It is called IMG Projects. https://imgprojects.com/

Have you ever had to pivot?

Having my daughter and being a mom changed my artistic and design practice. When I had her, I was reaching successful points in both my studio and my career as a creative director. I have become much more efficient with my time and resources while still being ambitious with my various projects.

Even though it is difficult to maintain a busy schedule, I think it is important for my daughter to know me for all of my creative projects and see how it all shapes who I am. I hope to be a good role model for her.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cherylmolnarprojects.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cherylmolnarart/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylmolnarart/
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/cheryl_molnar_projects/ https://www.instagram.com/imgprojects/ https://imgprojects.com/

Image Credits
Images of the collage exhibition shot at C24 Gallery are by Daniel Krieger (there are 3 of these) My portraits: Yann Chashanovski The worlds fair mural: Etienne Frossard The Birds in flight mural: Steve King The image of the man standing on the black and white checker floor: Qiaosen Yang