Get to know... Mollywritings
Meet Molly, the 22 year old digital artist from New Jersey. Her work often takes from the 70s aesthetic - it's full of patterns and colours, as well as elements of nature. Her art is available to buy online on both Redbubble and Etsy.
How did your journey as an artist begin?
My journey began when I started learning 70s style lettering from a book. I enjoyed lettering a lot, and I wanted to continue making this type of art. However, I began to develop other ideas for art that I wanted to create. Despite being nervous, I created a piece and posted it, and I was given a lot of good reception, much to my surprise.
What has drawn you particularly to the 70’s era?
A big part of why I love the 70s is the aesthetics - I love the colors, the patterns (especially the florals), and more. I also particularly enjoy the culture - I love the hippie culture, as well as the progressive movements that took place, like the protests for the environment.
What are the biggest challenges you have faced as an artist?
One of the biggest challenges for me is my limited skills as an artist. Growing up, I never took many art classes (especially digital art classes) so much of my drawing is just my own skills. This can make it hard when I sometimes have a more complicated idea. Another challenge for me has been the lack of time. Balancing school, work, and creating art can be difficult but I try my best to make it work.
Would you consider this your full-time job at the moment?
Currently I work other jobs other than art, but I’m hoping to eventually make art into a full time job.
Do you have any advice or tips for anyone wanting to get into digital art? Perhaps where to begin, what tools you might need etc.?
I would suggest for any digital artist to definitely do their research on the apps they use, as well as any other technology. I use the app Procreate, as well as an iPad Pro, and I would definitely suggest getting both of these. Although it may be expensive for some, this is the most expensive part of digital art, and good tools can last a long time.
Where do you see your career and art going in the next couple of years?
Ideally I would like to eventually create a successful shop with my art, and be able to be well known as an artist online. Although I have had much success this year, I have some progress to make before I could consider it more of a job. Outside of art, I have been studying to become a therapist, so it will be interesting to see where life takes me.
While we all are inspired by the 70’s, we are surrounded by the modern world daily. Do you ever find inspirations from the contemporary?
In today’s world, we can find that much of art is in fact inspired by the 70s, as well as other decades. So oftentimes, I find that the contemporary is very similar to me, and can inspire me easily. Posts on Instagram and Pinterest inspire me often in making new pieces, in ways you may not expect.
What are you listening to at the moment?
Currently I’m not listening to any podcasts, but I have been listening to music like Arcade Fire, the 1975, and Tame Impala.
Molly’s current fav tune…
If you could take someone, dead or alive, to a dinner, who would it be & why?
I would definitely like to go with Vincent van Gogh. I went to his immersive experience in NYC, and I had not known much about him, but I learned that we are rather similar in a lot of ways. We both are inspired by nature with our art, and so I believe we could have some interesting conversations. I would love to know even more about his life.
Check out Molly here ♡