Today we’d like to introduce you to Cat Mallard.
Cat, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve always had a love for nature, and all things gothic and spooky. I spent a great deal of time at the main library downtown as a child, I was very much inspired by Beatrix Potter with her whimsy and love the natural world. The black and white illustrations of Edward Gorey and EH Shepard also enchanted me. I also loved Creature features on Saturday afternoons, The Munsters and reading Poe. I attended Valencia and UF majoring in Art and Art Ed. I absolutely loved teaching and had the opportunity to work with kids from kindergarten to AP High School in my teaching career. I always continued my own art and eventually started “Darkling Woods” my Etsy shop back in 2007 while still teaching art full time. Until last year I mostly sold online only but in the past few years I’ve started doing in person shows, wholesale and licensing.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
finding your audience is so important with art. I’ve definitely had markets and events that were crickets because it was a more general art show. Once I focused on Halloween markets then Oddity and Horror shows things took off for me.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m know for cozy sometimes humorous gothic ink drawings. (and bats!) I’m most proud when people who collect my work feel connected to the images, that it brings them joy, or a feeling of being seen.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I don’t think most people realize how much artists invest that are doing shows and conventions. I think you have be a bit of a risk taker and a realist. A show can not do well for a variety or reasons, not the right market for you, weather, traffic etc. You have to look at it objectively which for artist can be difficult.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://darklingwoods.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catmallardart
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/darklingwoods
Image Credits
cat mallard
