Artist Statement

Hello everyone!  My name is Mallory Curtis. I am an art creating enthusiast from Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Painting with oils is my true passion, although I am also known to spontaneously change course and have the ability to transform a multitude of different Medias into masterpieces.  I have experience with ink, fabric dye and wax, acrylics, charcoal and the list goes on.  For the most part, whatever I can get my little hands on; my brain can visualize its beauty.

I took my first oil painting class when I was 7 years old and I was hooked!  When that first class had ended, I knew art had to be part of my life and I was far from being done.  I started taking adult classes at the age of 8.  Needless to say, I was the messy kid in class and most times came home with more paint on myself than on my canvas but the end result was comparable to the more advanced adult paintings.

My grandma and I started a shop in her garage on Drummond Island, Michigan when I was 10 years old.  We named our operation Knit and Sew.  It was a great place to begin selling my art work and start learning the business aspect of the trade.  This was an excellent opportunity for me, especially at such a young age. A few years later, I had the chance to meet a little boy on Drummond from the Chicago area who wasn’t able to take art in school due to the lack of funds.  That summer I took him on as a student and we did onsite painting. It was a learning experience for the both of us that I will forever be grateful for.  

In 2014, I was accepted into my dream college, Kendall College of Art and Design.  I majored in illustration, however, I was mostly interested in the fact that I would be exposed to different mediums, the wisdom and guidance of experienced professors and the chance to gain knowledge of the craft, as well as being able to improve and refine my skills as an artist.  I learn best by doing things hands-on and therefore, KCAD was the best place for me to expand my knowledge and further my education.  After a few years at Kendall, I decided it was time for a change.  I made up my mind that I was going to start my own business.  I enrolled in the business course at Grand Rapids Community College.  It was an excellent program that prepared me to spread my wings.  In 2019, I accepted the offer to manage an art gallery in the Mackinaw Crossings that later ended with the season.