Meet Mollie

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mollie a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Mollie, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

You don’t really overcome imposter syndrome, you just learn to live with it. The goalpost is always moving. You tell yourself, “If I can just reach this next milestone, I’ll finally feel like I belong,” and then you reach it… and the feeling’s still there.

I’ve talked with artists at every stage, from those just starting out to ones with work in museums and galleries across the world. It never ceases to amaze me how many still feel unworthy. That was eye-opening for me. It made me realize imposter syndrome isn’t a beginner problem; it’s a companion that grows up with you.

My best advice? Fake it ’til you make it… and then keep faking it. Because that feeling of “making it” never fully arrives. The trick is to keep showing up, one small step at a time, despite that voice telling you you’re not enough.

There’s a quote I think about often: “Courage isn’t the absence of fear, but the ability to act in spite of it.” That’s what imposter syndrome is to me. It’s fear dressed up as self-doubt. It’s always there, but how you respond to it determines how far you’ll go.

Being an artist isn’t for the faint of heart. The hurdles never stop coming, but you learn to clear them anyway, shaky knees and all.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I’m a full-time art fair artist, and one of the best parts of that life is meeting people face-to-face. Each show gives me the chance to connect directly with collectors and share the moment they first experience my work in person.

While art fairs are the heart of what I do, I’ve spent much of this year creating a new series for an upcoming gallery exhibition. I’m an acrylic painter working in the realm of Fantastic Realism, where imagination meets truth. My paintings are narrative and surreal, and each piece tells a story that invites viewers to look closer and find new meaning.

Recently, I’ve been expanding into interactive art experiences. At shows, I’ve built puzzle games and secret-society-style rewards that draw people deeper into my world. I’m also developing a series of interactive paintings that turn collecting into discovery.

Looking ahead, I’m continuing to grow my Endangered Animal Series and developing a new statement piece for exhibition.

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?

Resilience, curiosity, and pure stubbornness have gotten me this far.

Resilience or adaptability because nothing ever goes according to plan! You’ll have shows rained out, paintings that flop, and moments where you’re convinced you’ve made a huge mistake. You learn to roll with it, pivot fast, and keep showing up anyway.

Curiosity is probably what really drives me. I love diving deep into my subject matter and finding ways to keep things strange and interesting. Coming up with twists that still feel “right” isn’t easy, but it’s what keeps the work alive. Curiosity is the only thing that keeps you from burning out when this becomes your full-time life.

And stubbornness… well, I’m as stubborn as a mule. That’s probably the only reason I’m still doing this. You need that kind of hard-headed determination to keep going when logic (and your bank account) are both suggesting you quit.

The skills, the audience, even the opportunities come later. You just have to be tough enough to stick it out long enough to reach them.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

I’m always open to collaboration, especially with people who understand storytelling through visual art. I love working with other artists, writers, and creative businesses that want to build something immersive or a little weird — whether that’s an interactive exhibit, a themed show, or a crossover project that blends our worlds in unexpected ways.

I’m also interested in partnering with galleries, publishers, and brands that value originality and narrative. My best collaborations happen when both sides are excited to experiment and don’t mind blurring the line between fine art and play.

If you’re reading this and think our work might align, the best way to reach me is through my website’s contact page or by email. I’d love to hear what you’re dreaming up.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.molliechounard.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/molliechounard/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MollieChounardFineArt