Today we’d like to introduce you to Crystal Moll
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 am an artist and gallery owner. I am a plein air painter, which means I paint on location and most of my pieces have been created on the streets of Baltimore, I have been creating art this way since the late 80’s. I opened my gallery without a plan. Full disclosure! It was just a ‘happy accident’. The space became available due to the recession in ’09. The owner of the building asked for me to place a piece of art in the front window, as he did not want an empty store front for the holidays. I made a deal (paying him only in a percentage from sales) and opened up for a couple of months. We then signed a 4-month lease. I had 6 months to learn how to run a gallery and still paint. That was 14+ years ago. Since then, I have shown and sold the works of many fine artists. January of 2023, we moved the gallery to the Highlandtown neighborhood which is one of Baltimore’s Art’s Districts. It is great to be in an area that attracts art lovers. The area is colorful as we are supported by events such as First Friday Art Walks. I will say it has been a challenge moving the business to another part of our city. Many of our clients have yet to follow, of course we are meeting and developing new collectors, but that takes time. In addition to selling art, we offer custom framing which is a great service while helping to support the gallery. The ‘we’ includes my gallery manager, Day Watts, who not only free’s up my time so I may paint but handles all of our custom framing.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Of course it has not been a smooth road! This business has always been ‘feast or famine’. I am pretty used that, and it is expected and excepted. Of course, the pandemic was a game changer. We actually survived it pretty well. I think it has been more difficult since. Everything changed. More folks are still choosing to purchase art online. We are changing how we reach new clients and sell work. While a lot of the changes have to do with online/social media direction, I still feel strongly about having a main street store front. So, this ‘old dog’ continues to learn new tricks.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
When I first started painting, I was working on interiors, still lives. I was always interested in strong composition whose elements were bathed in light. After setting up the scene my goal was to capture the details and investigate what happened to those details as they were warmed by the light or cooled in color by the shadows. One day I looked around the Federal Hill neighborhood of Baltimore and found I could locate the elements which I wanted to paint, outside. The rowhomes and streets became my subject matter. I use the outdoors like a studio. I find a scene, work out a composition and revisit the location anywhere from 1-12 times in order to complete one piece. I usually have between 2-3 hours per session to work. The sun then has shifted enough for me to stop and move to another location. During the long daylight around the summer solstice, I can paint 10+ hours a day. When I first started working on location, I called myself an ‘urban landscape painter’. About 20 years ago, the ‘Plein Air’ movement began. “Plein air painting refers to the practice of painting landscape pictures outdoors, capturing the intense impression of the open air”.
So, I am now a Plein Air artist!
I am not your typical plein air artist, since I revisit my location many times. I also work on and complete the pieces strictly on location. No judgement here, artists work the best for them and their work. Many artists start works on location and then work more in their studio. My preference is to paint only on location and if it takes 10 visits to a site…it takes 10 visits.
As most artists, the best and most proud part of our work, has to be being honest with the work.
I’m lucky I have been supported over the past 3+ decades to continue working. Baltimore has provided most my subjects. Cool to think about all the scenes I have recorded in paint of our city. Thanks Baltimore!
What matters most to you? Why?
Wow, what a question. World peace! Family, friends, love, doing the best I can.
With regards to work. It is important to keep making art, keep supporting artists. Keep my gallery. I believe art feeds the soul.
Pricing:
- Original Oils $500-$15,000
- Prints $25 – $1200
- Art Gifts $4 – $150
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.crystalmoll.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crystalmoll/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crystal.moll.9
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CrystalMoll
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/crystal-moll-gallery-baltimore
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/CrystalMollGallery
