Dierdre Molloy

Mixed Media, Painting, Printmaking

Artist’s Statement

I am a San Francisco born artist now living in Sonoma. I specialize in portraiture and work in various mediums, from acrylic paintings to Linocut prints to mixed media recycled art. For my recycled art I try to use materials that convey the subject. For example I use broken vinyl records to create portraits of musicians, torn book pages to create portraits of authors, etc. This technique allows me to get a very graphic 3 dimensional quality to a 2 dimensional work.

The Interview:
Deirdre Molloy, September 2026

NJM: Deridre, what brought you to Sonoma?

DM: My parents are Irish immigrants who came to San Francisco in 1963. I was born in the city and raised out in the Sunset. I moved to Sonoma two years ago and I love it here.

NJM: Do you think that moving out of the city to a more rural environment has changed your art?

DM: Absolutely. I'm now painting more landscapes in addition to the portraiture I usually create. The dramatic change in environment has changed what I want to make.

NJM: Tell me about your first art exhibit

DM: I'd been collecting old vinyl records and started cutting them up to make art. I hung my first adult exhibit with my Record Pieces at Pancakes & Booze in San Francisco and sold three the first night! That encouraged me to start showing at street fairs and at the Monterey Pop Festival, where my work continued to sell.

NJM: Were you born an artist or did you learn?

DM: Both. I think that everyone is born an artist. Little kids love to draw and paint. Some pursue it, some not. I just kept doing it. I practiced myself into being better.

NJM: Did you go to art school?

DM: I went to CCAC (CA College of Arts & Crafts) to refine my techniques and learn about art and the art community. So learning was a mix of school and picking up self-taught style.

NJM: How does color play a part in your creation of art?

 DM: I always leaned into black and white; pencil, charcoal, etc. So, the collaged record pieces just worked for me. My next show at the Arts Guild will be in full color acrylic, honoring women and horror from films.

NJM: When thinking about a new piece do you have the end in mind, or does it emerge in the process?

DM: I'm a planner. I always begin with the end in mind and always create a full-on detailed sketch. Every detail down first.

NJM: What do you hope people will take away from your art?

DM: I hope to evoke some memory of a different time with each piece. Fun and whimsey.

NJM: Has the style of your work changed over time?

DM: Yes. The work has changed as I attempt to embrace transition from black and white to color. Living in the full color of Sonoma has most definitely inspired me. I joined the Arts Guild in 2026.

http://nancyjmartinauthor.com/

You can find Tricia’s art on her
Instagram