Above: the MOTH,  an exhibition space on the property, that Molly's husband, Dave built for her paintings.                   

In 2000, Molly and her husband hosted their first salon - a gathering with food, libation, art.  This was born out of an experience after her husband's mentor and dear friend, Northwest architect Edgar Smith passed away.  They held a memorial at their house in Portland to celebrate his life.  All those who knew him were invited.   This experience led them to open their home to friends and acquaintances they had met during their involvement in local political campaigns and volunteer efforts.  The gatherings evolved to include artists from other disciplines: musicians, poets, writers - often, those who have directly influenced Molly's work.  This also turned out to be the beginning of what Molly learned later, was a continued family tradition of hosting salons, dating back to the early years of the previous century, events hosted by her great-grandparents that melded music and the spoken word.

Above: In March of 2006, Molly held a salon in NYC, after the reception for her exhibition.  Scott Poole read poetry and Amelia
played their music.
 

Center:  Scott Poole reading his ironic poetry at a summer salon in Portland, part of Oregon Public Broadcasting's salon series.

Far Right: between texture & light reception and salon, Autzen Gallery, Portland State University, summer '06.

 


Right: In January of 2008, Molly and Dave hosted a small literary salon for Kurt Andersen, author, and host of public radio's Studio 360 
 

Far Right: Kristin Hersh debut of Paradoxical Undressing, London, March 2008 with Molly's paintings projected as the visual presentation 

 Some of the past salons:

• Literary salon, Portland / with Kurt Andersen, author, and host of public radio's Studio 360 - January 2008
• Art and literary salon, Portland State University, Autzen Gallery / with author Michael Rips, poet Scott Poole - July 2006
• Artists' salon, Portland / in conjunction with Oregon Public Broadcasting's Cornerstone Society, with Linda Tesner, Director of the Hoffman Gallery of Contemporary Art, Lewis & Clark College - June 2006
• Gradisca Vino e Cucina, NYC  / with Poet Scoot Poole, music of Amelia - March 2006
• Various art and literary salons in Portland / with Poet Scott Poole, author and Oregon Book Award winner (2005) Marc Acito, Oregon Book Award winner (2003) Cai Emmons, essayist Stacy Bolt, Gideon Freudmann and his electric cello, the music of the band, Amelia - since 2000
• High Desert Museum, Bend, Oregon - December 2003
• Palms Hotel, Borrego Springs, California - November 2003
• Broken Top Club, Bend, Oregon - August 2003
• James Opie Soiree, Portland / with Persian ensemble Damam - December 2001

Over the years the salons were well attended.  As Molly has evolved as an artist and her work deals with more personal themes,  she spends more time painting.  Her husband built a gallery, dubbed the MOTH, on the property and where she  hangs her completed work and where she continues to host occasional literary salons. 

In what seems a natural progression - from inviting those artists who have influenced her work, the circle has widened and includes new venues and means of collaboration.  In 2008, Molly was approached by the American Indie singer songwriter Kristin Hersh (Throwing Muses) about using her work as the visual presentation to Kristin's spoken word and musical performances of her memoir, Paradoxical Undressing. 

Molly was introduced to Kristin Hersh in an interview on NPR in 2001 and she has been painting to her music since.  Through her board work on Live Wire!,  a radio theatre show based in Portland, Oregon, she met Kristin, when she performed on the show in 2006.  Soon after, Molly began to send Kristin imagery of work that was influenced by her music.  In March of 2008 Paradoxical Undressing debuted in London and Glassgow and the the stateside tour began in June at the DIA in Detroit.