Today we’d like to introduce you to Molly Mansfield.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I took my first oil painting class at Austin Community college when I was 16. It was love at first sight…or experience I guess you could say. In that first class, I was selected to be in the student show and while the show was up, my piece sold. That really encouraged me. At the time I knew that deep down all I wanted to do was to be an artist, but I had a lot of fears. Fears about whether or not I was good enough and fears about having to be the starving/suffering artist. But I felt the need to create so strongly, and I knew that I wanted my work to live in vibrant spaces with friends and families and memories, in homes. I followed my intuition and my passion and developed an (almost) daily painting practice. I still feel just as strong the need to create, if not stronger than I did 15 years ago and I have more ideas than I do time to implement them, but that’s a good problem. There’s a lot of suffering in this world but beauty ascribes value, it brings hope, it can cultivate conversation, and initiate change. I’m grateful that I get to spend my life making art.
Please tell us about your art.
I work in watercolor, gouache, and oils to make botanical and landscape inspired paintings. My work is a lot about memory. Abstract & Fluid. Moments running into each other. Not about the fine details but about the feeling and emotion of the experience. Though my artworks are inspired by a particular place or recollection, it makes sense that the viewer might find some familiarity in them. Then it becomes about human connection. My intention is to transfer an idea onto canvas that comes from my own story but then becomes yours.
Given everything that is going on in the world today, do you think the role of artists has changed? How do local, national or international events and issues affect your art?
Yes, there is a lot of darkness, a lot of sickness, a lot of suffering. The more light and beauty that we can put out there to change that the better. And beauty doesn’t have to be pretty. But it has meaning and impact, especially on our mental health. The world needs more artists. So be brave! Let your creativity find it’s place.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
Find me online www.mollymansfield.com
and on Insta: @mollymansfieldartist
I get to send the most meaningful emails filled with all of the artsy goodness to the loveliest people. Things like local exhibitions, new collection releases, and exclusive discounts. Signup via my website!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mollymansfield.com
- Email: mollymansfieldartist@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mollymansfieldartist/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mollymansfieldartist/
Image Credit:
Photos taken by Sasquatch Mansfield and Molly Mansfield.
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