The Islander: Malia Quinn Art Business Incubator Graduate
|
| |
(Photo: Courtesy of Malia Quinn) |
|
|
Malia Quinn is among the six artists graduating from the Art Business Incubator (ABI) this year and one of four planting art roots on the island. Due to her father’s military background, Quinn grew up in several states ranging from Hawai’i to Georgia and different cities in Texas. “I lived in Texas for 20 years combined back-and-forth.”
Drawn to fine arts, Quinn excelled at visual art and became a graphic designer. “Back then, if you were living in this time as an artist, you really kind of just needed to bite the bullet and be a graphic designer.” Most modern artists, according to Quinn, worked in the graphic design industry on computers, and soon she would complete a three-year occupational, technical degree in San Antonio for commercial art. “I thought I couldn’t be a painter.”
Her degree led to 20 years of self-employment in publishing bridal magazines throughout the country. “It was really fun,” says Quinn. Although when the pandemic struck, it canceled weddings, and publishers stopped publishing. “All our clients went out of business, and they were freaking out.” |
|
|
Summer Sky & Shore, Malia Quinn. |
|
After many paintings of mountain scenes in Colorado, Quinn decided to give Hawai’i a visit with her family. Bringing outdoor paints, Quinn decided to start tackling seascapes. “Seascapes are amazing because it’s fun to try to capture something that’s moving. And it’s just beautiful. Something about the water that has a lot of emotion.” |
|
|
After the trip to Hawai'i, Quinn saw her future being near the ocean. Being familiar with South Padre Island after her time in Texas led to a Google search that changed her life. Looking for galleries to hang her art before the moving process, she found what she was looking for, a gallery to hang her art and train her to become her own boss.
The ABI gives freedom to artists to let the creativity flow, hang their work, and run a gallery together. Quinn found it helpful as it offers artists the ability to feel like they are running a gallery. Malia explained that once you’re in the program, you’re allowed to hang your art, price your art, and are free to paint anything. “Nobody comes and says, ‘I don’t like that. You can’t put that on the wall.’ You have all this freedom, and you’re running a business, in a sense.”
Before the ABI, Quinn experienced the luxury of being a private artist and having her own space. However, since her residency, she’s discovered an appreciation for the business relationship between an artist and their customer. “It was a really good experience, and it taught me that I like selling and that I was pretty good at it.” |
|
|
Gathering artists from multiple mediums benefitted Quinn greatly. “Especially on how to handle events. The marketing aspect is probably my weakness.”
Having a shy side as a creative, an unaddressed lesson Quinn picked up from the ABI and her fellow friend/colleague was going big. “People want giant pieces.” Her mantra this year personified consistent courage to continue to show your work. “Surrender it out there despite maybe not liking it.”
|
| Summer Storm, Malia Quinn.
|
|
|
Describing her art as abstract realism, Quinn paints a messy fresh look, “I want it to look like I haven’t killed it to death. And I hope that shows me figuring out that aspect.” Her show, Water and Air, symbolized the elements of the oceanside. South Padre Island is not like other islands that she’s been to, for example, Hawaii or California, where there’s more rock formation.
Once the opportunity fell in her lap, she grabbed it. “There was one small spot for a gallery, and I was the only artist that would fit in there for what my dreams were and what I could afford.” Quinn plans to have paintings, sculptures, classes, workshops, and jazz nights at her gallery. “Quinn Gallery” plans to offer sketch portraits. “It’s going to be a very touristy element for SPI.” |
South Padre Splendor, Malia Quinn. |
|
|
|