Molly McCracken

Molly McCracken is an Arlington, Virginia based artist, who works in mixed media collage, assemblage and acrylic painting. Often the sentiments expressed in her work refer to current events such as racial justice, the climate crisis or women’s issues, other times they point to a deep inner reflection on her place in this world, her personal history or her day to day emotions.

Molly shares, “Personal Stratigraphies is a series of abstract mixed media collages exploring color, shape, the environment, and family history through invented geological maps. As this series has evolved, I have used different “maps” (simple line drawings on vellum) and transferred the image to the paper substrate using carbon paper. Each iteration is different and with every use, the “map” is slightly altered, just as the geology of our earth changes over time through weathering and erosion. My paternal grandparents were both geologists and, although I never met my grandfather, my grandmother instilled me with a love of rocks. From her, I also learned to look closely and appreciate color and shape, which are skills that I use daily as an artist. I build upon the initial drawing with layer upon layer of collage, paint, gesso, graphite, Tyvek, glitter glue and other materials until the personal stratigraphy map reaches my determination of completion. Each map is unique and reflects the moment in which it was made.”

Follow Molly on Instagram @mollys.art.stuff.