We recently connected with Molly Pearce and have shared our conversation below.
Molly, appreciate you joining us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.
I got a new part time job in a workshop making designer books and it was in this large studio building with lots of different creatives working there. I had been a painter doing art events in Atlanta for over ten years already but although it was my passion, I didn’t think it could be my career. Then I saw this studio space and thought what about a studio? I thought maybe that could help take my art to the next level! So even though I didn’t know if I could afford it, even though the only spot I could maybe afford was like a closet, I took a chance and got myself a studio space. In the months following, I accomplished more than I could ever imagine. Within a year and a half, I had a second larger space in the building, was throwing large art parties hosting 20 plus Artists with installations and live music, making regular sales of large artworks, and had even traveled to Miami to have a solo show and to participate in a group show at an established gallery. My business has had its ups and downs but I remain still so thankful I took a chance and rented that little closet years ago.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I have been an artist since childhood, creative to the core since art lessons in elementary school. I completed a BFA in Photo, minoring in Art Ed, at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York and soon after got really into painting in Atlanta, GA where I grew up. I discovered live art in Atlanta’s underground party scene in the early 2000s and have been doing it ever since. I have live painted and shown art at countless venues and events in Atlanta over the years- thoroughly enjoying the interaction and energy that this brings. Around 2011, I started having my curating and promoting my own events to bring in other artists. I became a studio artist a few years later and was able to do bigger projects and artwork and create a few really amazing themed art events- Lifelines, Signs of life, and Mark Me are some of these. I have been through several studios by this point and wherever I end up I continue to put out unique and thought provoking art work and to do whatever I can to unite fellow artists and encourage the output of fresh art.
My art is personal, vivid, and direct. It’s always coming from an emotional and intense inner place. It is precisely this factor that makes it relatable to others I think. I am interested in the connections between us as humans and shared experience. Themes addressed in my unique artwork are love, pain, beauty, simplicity, complexity, conflict, chaos, balance, the future, the feminine, and more! I use bold color, line, text, and a variety of media to express myself. I make different sized paintings, designer book sets, and furniture for sale and have jus embarked on a mission to create and sell patterned textiles and clothing with a unique design process that is all my own! I also offer my services as a live event artist and as a muralist in the Atlanta area. In the past 3 years, I have created a great portfolio of murals at local Atlanta businesses and residences.
What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?
When I made the commitment of renting a studio space and then later expanded to a second larger space in the same building, it really took my career to the next level. I found this space at the Art’s Exchange in Grant Park (has been moved at this point to east point). I finally had a space dedicated to my creative pursuits where I had the room to be productive and to work as big as I liked- many of my bus art ideas were allowed to become a reality! And I was able to easily share them by inviting clients or having events! Now a studio workspace is a necessity and I can’t imagine life without it.
Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?
My original business partner was a friend and former roommate of mine, Alabaster Jax, who went off to California for work and then showed back up right at the time I acquired my first art studio space. She helped with a variety of tasks and admin, which is not my strong point, and never stopped promoting me as an artist. Her belief in my work made me me believe and gave me strength. It was a huge blow when she suddenly passed away of cancer a few years back. I’ve had to build myself as an artist back up slowly and learn how to do more things for myself.
The possibility of someone new to partner with has been constantly on my mind. Recently, I have been blessed to find a new business partner in my boyfriend who has all the business skills I lack. I believe together we can take my art biz to the next level!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mollymoll.com
- Instagram: @mollymoll30
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MollyMollRhodes?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Twitter: @mollymollp