Today we’d like to introduce you to Mallory Cash.
Hi Mallory, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have been an artist all my life with various artistic ventures. My training began in middle school when I was accepted into Bak Middle School of the Art for Visual Arts. A magnet program that fine-tuned individual artistic practices.
I then was accepted into Dreyfoos School of the Arts for high school and finished my formal artistic training at the Maryland Institute College of Art. I graduated in 2010 with a BFA in Textiles and two minors in Printmaking and Book Arts. Quickly after graduating, I started a toy company called MalsPals. I created hand-felted colorful animals with patterns inspired by Central Asia. It was a short-lived success that had to come to an end due to the quickly evolving arthritis that developed.
I then worked various jobs for a number of years trying to fulfill my vocation. I was a photographer for Lifetouch, a muralist for Climb Zone, a builder for the National Aquarium of Baltimore, and many more odd jobs all working for someone else. I did not feel fulfilled until I started working for myself in 2015. I have been a proud solopreneur of Mallory Cash Art for eight years. In the beginning, I started painting custom pet portraits with oil paint. Which still remains my main income and medium.
In 2020, I felt the need to create something different. Thus I started painting vibrant landscapes. It has quickly become a successful side hustle that has me limiting how much time I should spend on either business. I have limited this year to 100 pet portraits so that I can focus more energy on creating vibrant landscapes. As of the writing of this interview, I am currently at 36 pets for 2023. That number has been jumping weekly!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It certainly has not been a smooth road. With everything, there is an ebb and flow. With every low and high comes the possibility for growth and the chance to pivot. In my first business adventure, MalsPals, I let the pain of developing arthritis overcome the chances to pivot. I cannot say where that business would be today had I had the proper business coaches to guide me.
In my current business, Mallory Cash Art, I have had bumps in the road. Those bumps were much bigger in the beginning. From clients not paying upon delivering the work, to clients terminating a project hours before the project should begin. These were harsh lessons on how to conduct business. The longer I am pursuing the path as an artist the bumps become lesser. Setting up a proper business strategy and constantly thinking of ways to grow or pivot my business has aided in a smoother venture.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am an oil painter that has two different subjects. I paint custom pet portraits and vibrant landscape paintings. I have painted well over 7,000 pets as one stops counting after 7,000. As of last year, I have started doing live pet painting events at local businesses. It is fun for the community to watch an artist in real-time and see their pet become a masterpiece before their eyes. I do create custom pet portraits in my studio and ship them to those who are unable to attend the live painting events. I have shipped to all US states, Canada, the Virgin Islands, and Africa.
The vibrant landscape paintings are from real places I have traveled to. I once lived and traveled out of a self-converted van where I draw most of my inspiration from today. One of my paintings has been accepted for the Pianos About Town project in Fort Collins, CO. This project will allow visitors and locals the opportunity to enjoy art in a unique way.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best?
I love listening to podcasts while I am creating in my studio. “The Art Biz” by Alyson Stanfield is my favorite. “The Artist Academy” by Andrea Ehrhardt is my second most listened-to podcast. “Beyond the Studio” by Amanda Adams and Nichole Mueller is a joy as they graduated from the same college as me. Other than that I enjoy “Hidden Brain” by Shankar Vedantam. It is not an artist-focused podcast but rather gets one to think about their thoughts and actions in a deeper light. Finally, “How I Built This” by Guy Raz is one I listen to on long car rides.
Also, not a podcast focused on the arts, but one any entrepreneur or solopreneur can gain a wealth of information. Outside of podcasts, I have a team of business coaches that assist in the unique path of being an artist. Not all business advice works for all businesses. Which is especially true for artists.
Pricing:
- $5-$65
- $85-$450
- $450-$1,800
- $1,800-$4,000
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mallorycashart.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mallorycashart/ & https://www.instagram.com/mallory.cash.art/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mallorycashart
