Meet Mallory Ann Caloca

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Mallory Ann Caloca. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Mallory Ann below.

Mallory Ann, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?

The biggest push to overcome being stuck with an inner dialogue of doubts and shortcomings is to actually sit and listen to others that don’t feel alone. That is powerful. If able to, go to the local art show or weird movie that you’ve been thinking about – do it. The craving to be curious is essential.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’ve loved art since I was able to scribble. Specifically, there was an impressionable and kind gentlemen (husband of my 1st grade teacher) that was assisting in drawing. I wanted to draw a woman but didn’t know where to start and showed me how to draw the curve of the neck. That was it. Something simple became my life to explore, intricately.
For many years, I used black and white dry media for portraits and not much else.
I realized once I entered Cal Poly in 2007, I wanted to be in the art department, but again, I was stuck in my own way of creative thinking and subject matter. (Just portraiture) was becoming tedious or it felt like the learning process of something new and exciting to happen was not happening. I’m forever thankful to a friend and teacher or Adrienne Allebe that guided the small little scribbles I would do in-between a final image, the little bits became significant in my portfolio and I continue to blueprint and improvise away from just portraits and venture into making hybrids of natural, organic forms juxtaposed with geometric lines and images.
I continue painting and drawing or primarily with water based mediums. Crafting mindful and overall intricate images anyone else can interpret and attribute to themselves. I love extending my practice for commissions as well, I’m happy to be inclusive as possible.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

First off, be receptive to criticism as a light guideline. Being an artist is your own journey to share, if you choose to, and it’s a constant reminder still. A second thing that comes to mind is to try your best to set a studio space aside from the living space, or trying not to sleep in the same space with supplies. Creating is exciting and daunting so all of that energy is required. Rest is for rest, no exceptions. And especially, experiencing loss whether it’s a break up with a loved one and or friend? Navigating hurt grounded my skill set and forced me to focus much more clearly and concisely. That’s the magic, or, life isn’t always good and beautiful but you can sure as hell create something from it.

Anyone early with an art journey is too be ok with bring uncomfortable. That is an indication of welcoming unpredictable skill sets.

All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?

Marketing! What a struggle for my brain. I truly desire to share the small, weird little details and tendrils away from everyday living. Lately, I have sharing more often my works of what I’m doing.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mal.makes.magic/