TWWP x Wall of Art

A portait of: Madelen Möllard

The artist MADELEN MÖLLARD's life has just changed forever. Lilly-Ann, six weeks old, has been born. And it is a bit on her terms that art is now created in the apartment in the old post office in Stockholm. It is among great shapes and a lot of color that we meet Madelen for a conversation about painting as a way of traveling, the creative expression, and about being friends with oneself. Madelen is up to date with his fantastic colorful works at Wall of Art.

TWWP X WALL OF ART

INTERVIEWED BY KAROLINA BORG, PHOTOGRAPHED BY MIRA WICKMAN 

"My style is big shapes and a lot of color."

Hi Madelen, how are you today?
- Now after a couple of cups of coffee, I feel very good considering that I have been awake from 04:30.

Oh, life with baby! Congratulations to your wonderful daughter, how does it feel to have become a mother?
- Thanks! It's wonderful, scary and very fun. I have such a hard time accepting that I'm someone's mother - it's completely crazy. I could never imagine how emotional and amazing it would be! When I was younger, I thought I would not have children, but look how it turned out! Unbelievable.

Lilly-Ann, six weeks old and already absolutely wonderful.

Do you want to tell us about your background? What does the road to your current artist life look like?
- I grew up in Karlshamn, a small town in Blekinge and I must admit that I spent much of my childhood dreaming to leave this place. Painting became a way to travel. In my family, painting and creation have always been very present and whether I was at home with mom or dad, I always had a drawing pad nearby. My grandfather was a great picture restaurateur and artist who encouraged me and my siblings to paint every time we came to visit. It definitely contributed to me choosing to study and have a creative profession today.

How would you describe your expression in art?
- Large shapes and a lot of color.

And what does your artistry mean to you?
- It means a lot. My brain would not have survived without it. It often goes at full speed and creation is undoubtedly crucial for using the energy for something constructive.

Where do you find your inspiration?
- For me, it's a lot about mood and environment. I start with interesting color combinations and flower discounts as well.

Who were you as a child?
- I was shy and imaginative, loved Marabou milk chocolate and literally watched the movie Grease so the tape in the VHS cassette broke.

Have you always known that you wanted to be an artist?
- Yes, at least that I would have a creative profession. When I was 13, I wrote a future letter to myself as a 23-year-old in which I told how I lived in New York as a clothing designer.

Wonderful! Tell us about the collaboration together with Wall of Art.
- It's so fun! We have an ongoing dialogue about new works, projects and ideas. It really feels like my works can live out with them. Incredibly positive and nice people to work with who create new fun concepts together with us creators.

What is your personal WoA favorite?
- Wow, becomes far too analytical and self-critical to be able to give a sensible answer, but "Blue marigolds" and "Walking towards spring" were cozy to paint.

"MY GRANDFATHER WAS A FANTASTIC PICTURE RESTAURANT AND ARTIST WHO ENCOURAGED ME AND MY SIBLINGS TO PAINT EVERY TIME WE VISITED."

"I am my biggest critic, but I have become better at being happy with who I am and what I do."

What are you afraid of?
- Getting older and regretting things I have not done.

When do you feel most like yourself? 
- There are many answers here, but in summary I can say that I feel most like myself when I am asleep, drink coffee and get to be creative. And when I am with the family too of course!

What are you working on right now?
- Creates a lot on canvas and works on a larger scale than before. Above all, I let most of the time go to my daughter right now and the creation I do when she allows.

Are you friends with yourself?
- Well, okay! I'm my biggest critic, but I've gotten better at being happy with who I am and what I do.