The Mop Mess Motivator
Artist: Carolyn Mara
Medium: Painting, Photography
Types of art you can buy: Large scale canvas paintings
Every artist knows that once upon a time you were told, at some point or another, that you can’t make a career around art. We were advised to choose a path that could make you money or at least maintain stability. It was as if art and music were classes in school that could only be extracurriculars, they were never really looked at as important. But as we all grew up, and as we ventured into these 9-5 jobs that are stable and do make us money, we find ourselves without the thrill and feeling of fulfillment that art once gave us. For most people, this year has led to losing that 9-5 job or maybe at least working from home. We now have more time to reflect on our lives and what is actually important. For me, being constantly inspired is what’s most important. The world isn’t one thing or another, life isn’t black or white, the answer isn’t yes or no…it’s so much more than that and thanks to people like Carolyn Mara we can clearly see why.
Carolyn is an artist, a photographer, a creative director, a visionary, and a motivator. Most recently, Carolyn has centered her business around large scale abstract paintings that she creates using a mop. With a technique that’s seemingly simple yet unknowingly complicated, she leaves the viewer with an almost Rorschach Test level of intrigue. She piques our interest and definitely sparks joy.
When I took a deeper dive into Carolyn and her work I found out she’s an extraordinary person through and through. She seems to be able to conquer any goals she sets, and has created an inspiring life. Her work through photography and expression has brought her to the point of her career where people are looking to her for guidance. People quickly find that she is not successful because she is a multimillionaire or because she runs a large company, but because she decided to do something and she didn’t take no for an answer. She is one of those people that you can immediately tell is not only currently great, but will continue to go to far reaching places in her work. Most places we can’t even imagine quite yet. I am excited to follow along her journey.
Amanda: Where in the world do you create your work?
Carolyn: My home has always been the base of my creative endeavors. I’ve used every inch of my indoor and outdoor space for my video, photo, and painting projects. From my backyard pool -- we live in sunny Miami where the weather is warm most of the year -- to my enclosed shower, no space is off limits in my home. But I create my mop paintings wherever I can find room, which at the moment is usually in my garage. While I’ll soon have a studio space where I can and create, I know I’ll never stop creating in my home where I’m surrounded by my children; it’s a way of life I treasure.
Amanda: What was the catalyst that pushed you to start this business?
Carolyn: There was this really large, empty space in the center of my home that needed a big piece of art to bring the whole room together. I was never able to find something that I loved so I just decided to make it myself. After having the frame built, and stretching the canvas, I had a conversation with a friend that led to the idea of using a mop as a huge paintbrush. The experience was so exhilarating and rewarding I decided I wanted to make more mop paintings.
Amanda: If you can do anything with your business, regardless of money, social media following, business location, or experience, what would it be?
Carolyn: If I could do anything with my business regardless of money, I’d want to use it to spread positivity through art. I’ve gotten so many negative comments about my artwork online, some of it really hurtful. But it has also attracted so much positive energy from other artists, and that’s what I want to focus on. Most of my life has been built around using art to help others express themselves and their creativity. From teaching people about their inner creativity, to using my photography to help others struggling through something. So if creating paintings with mops and love can make others happy -- or convince other artists to pursue their creativity -- then I’ll consider my business a success.
Amanda: What gets you out of bed in the morning?
Carolyn: My daughter, every day. My little bean wanders into my room in the morning for backrubs and breakfast. But if I’m being honest, the older I’ve gotten the easier it is to get out of bed. Now I’m often up before anyone wakes me. Also coffee! Lots of coffee.
Amanda: Are there any subjects or themes you return to over and over again in your art?
Carolyn: I always find myself returning to the theme of feeling unseen, hidden but not hiding. I began exploring this subject matter with my early conceptual photography and it has been woven into much of what I’ve done since, including my mop paintings. For example, with my paintings, I purposefully add my signature to the back of my paintings rather than the front. I want my perspective on my artwork to remain unseen because I don’t want my clients to be forced to hang my artwork in any particular way. It is much more powerful, and meaningful to me, to allow them to choose how their new artwork will fit into their space.
Amanda: What has your work taught you (about art, life, people, anything!)?
Carolyn: My work has taught me a lot since I began sharing it with the world online. I get a lot of criticism about how anyone could do what I’m doing. But it really isn't that easy. My artwork was refined over the last few years using a particular mix of paints and technique to achieve my desired results. Moreover, to actually transition my artwork from a fun, creative endeavor into a real business has taken a lot of work and perseverance. I’ve spent the last few years building a large social media following from scratch, finding vendors who can fill my very specific supply demands, and learning the ins-and-outs of shipping large stretched canvas domestically and internationally.
But more importantly I’ve learned that what I’m doing is inspirational for others. There is one particular message that sticks with me; it was from a young artist struggling to find her way. She was asking questions about how I found my direction and thanking me for being her inspiration to push forward with posting her own artwork. I never thought that consistently posting a positive message accompanied by my mop paintings would inspire anyone. I think that's what surprised me the most. No matter how many negative comments I get online, there are always those willing to come to my defense -- whether or not they like my artwork -- or those willing to message me about how I’ve inspired them to find their own creative path. In the end, I guess it's made me realize that building a business is tough, but rewarding -- and having an outlet for my creativity can help make the world a better, more positive place.
Amanda: Where can people find you?
Carolyn: You can find my artwork on my social media at Tiktok (@carolynmara) and Instagram (@carolyn_mara), and you can view my current and past mop painting selection on my website at https://www.carolynmara.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@carolynmara?lang=en
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolyn_mara/
Website: https://www.carolynmara.com/moppaintings
* Use code MOPMOTIVATOR for 20% off your purchase! *