Daily Inspiration: Meet Molly Box McCarty

Today we’d like to introduce you to Molly Box McCarty.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I graduated college with a degree in Political Science and a minor in Art. After a brief stint in Washington DC, I decided that the political lifestyle was actually not a good fit. While I loved the intensity and urgency, I am someone who has a need to connect with on a people on a personal level, and that was nearly impossible in that atmosphere.

After returning home and starting work as a policy advocate at the Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce, I began taking over the website, social media, and basic graphic design. I was hooked on doing anything creative and did an apprenticeship with a local graphic designer to learn more. From there, I worked for various agencies, corporations, and nonprofits until I became a full-time Graphic Designer for the Taco John’s Corporation. While there, I began taking on freelance jobs in my spare time and building websites for friends and family. My side jobs just kept increasing and expanding until it became a part-time jobs. I realized that the options for marketing/design services for most small businesses and nonprofits are to hire a frequently bored employee, an expensive agency, or a cheap amateur. Not good options! I decided to fill that niche and started Prairie Sage Creative as an à la carte creative services company, employing my skills as everything from an illustrator to a graphic/web designer to a social media manager.

Throughout this time as well, I continued with my artwork. I slowly combined my passion for art with my love of the outdoors to begin growing into a contemporary wildlife artist. I do both oil paint and mixed media drawings of local wildlife and fish/fly-fishing themes. I began applying for regional shows, selling work, and even winning awards.

I have now been a full-time freelancer/artist for years, running Prairie Sage Creative Studio, and couldn’t be happier. It allows me to have a flexible schedule to build my career and spend time with my family. My artwork can now be found in many shows, galleries, and museums in the region.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I would say that it has been a long walk down an occasionally bumpy road.

The biggest challenges I have faced have been dealing with the ups and downs of freelancing, along with my own insecurity about being successful enough.

Freelancing and running a business can be tough. I have had to learn the hard way to have a business plan, contracts and enforce late fees. I have had clients ghost or reject me, even when I felt I did my best work. I have some epic stories about some difficult to downright scary clients. I have had to learn how to do business accounting and taxes and constantly keep my skills up to date. I had to learn how to market myself as an artist and put a price tag on things I created.

The biggest challenge though has been getting out of my own way. I was a single mom for many years, and I was always worried about making enough income on my own to be able to support my daughter. It felt selfish to pursue being an artist. I kept accepting part or full-time jobs that were offered to me when my heart wasn’t in it or I didn’t really need the money, just to reassure myself that I could be stable. After essentially being forced into following my dreams by circumstance and my incredibly supportive husband, everything just took off. I still sometimes have to force myself to take a breath.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I have this quote on my website, “I believe very strongly in observing your environment and creating art based on your surroundings and experiences. I grew up in Wyoming and reside in Colorado, so I naturally have a love for the West and interest in the wildlife. I’m an avid angler and outdoorswoman. I also believe that the American West is young, new, vibrant, colorful, and ever-changing.” I have become known for my unique mixed-media drawings that depict the traditional themes of wildlife and outdoor recreation in a contemporary style. I still enjoy experimenting and mixing everything from pencil, pen, ink, paint, mylar, markers, paper, etc. together in a single piece. I did an article for the January 2022 edition of Wyoming Wildlife Magazine, in which I explained my creative process and did a drawing tutorial. I enjoyed that so much.

Prairie Sage Creative is unique in that it serves an unfulfilled market. I love being able to provide high-level and professional services to places that need it and couldn’t otherwise afford it, like animal shelters or authors. Nothing makes me happier than passing a billboard that I designed, seeing a book cover I illustrated, or spotting someone in a shirt with a logo that I created.

Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Without a doubt, my favorite childhood memory was visiting Yellowstone National Park. My parents had a tourism marketing company, and we were always able to go there for a trip in the summer or fall from the time I was a toddler to a teen. We visited family friends who worked (and still work!) in the park and were able to have so many unique experiences.

Once, I remember we were all fishing on the Firehole River and saw a herd of bison slowly coming over the ridge. They were between us and our cars, so we had to pack up and get out of there immediately. We quickly got back and into our vehicles, but by then, the herd completely surrounded us. We all sat quietly, watching the herd dynamics as they made their way around us and through the valley. We saw mothers and babies, young obnoxious bulls, and large males keeping an eye on everything. It was incredible to see and experience nature and wild animals in that way.

Pricing:

• $375 – Logo Design (includes designs, revisions, and all files)
• $65 – 5″ x 7″ pet portrait
• $65/hour for all design and marketing services

Contact Info:

• Website: www.prairiesagecreative.com; www.mollyboxart.com
• Instagram: @mollyboxart
• Facebook: /PrairieSageCreative