We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dana O’Malley a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Dana , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

Recently, I had the opportunity to spend time in a dedicated studio space as the 2025 Winter Artist in Residence at Pink Noise Projects in Philadelphia, PA. Finding both the mental and physical space–as well as the time–to complete a large project can be daunting, especially as a parent working a full-time job. This opportunity allowed me to expand my practice in new directions which I see myself continuing to dig moving forward. Previously, I had been making sculptural assemblage paintings. This residency opportunity allowed me the space to push my practice into the realms of sculpture and installation. I have been exploring themes of early parenthood and the anxieties of a tumultuous world through paper mache and assemblage sculpture.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I have been making things since I was a kid. I have always loved to paint/draw and grew up near an artist supply store which brought lots of material inspiration. My environment and surroundings always deep into my work. I graduated with a BFA in Painting from RISD in 2009 and an MFA in Painting from the University of Iowa in 2016. My current practice involves the gleaning, assembling, and transformation of everyday found materials. I use paper mache and paint to build forms that investigate themes of balance, support, and early parenthood. Often, my pieces are on edge or off-kilter. This is intentional and feels pertinent.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Everything is worth investigating. I value the mundane. I think it is necessary to note that being an artist is often about the opposite of finding the grandiose–it can be about noticing what is overlooked.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Being an artist is constant and evolving–it is not about an end result. There will be weeks/years/decade(s) where less work is made and that is okay. Consistently showing up to your practice as an artist is key.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://danaomalley.com
• Instagram: d_j_omalley

Image Credits

Jessica Allard (Images 1-3)