Maddy X On View Gallery

Q&A with Maddy

Q) Can you share how you chose the themes you did for the Pickle Palace mural and what inspired you?

A) When I first heard about Pickle Palace, what struck me was the scale of the place and just how fun it sounded. I knew this would be an amazing passion project to contribute to. In my mural designs, I combined Cedar Rapids with space! I'm constantly in awe of the vastness and wonder of our universe. Conveying how big and exciting space really is has always interested me. I felt this theme would be very fitting for these murals because Pickle Palace is big and exciting! Something new for folks to explore and enjoy.

I also love combining the fantastical with reality. By creating a new context for what's familiar, perhaps the viewer can see Cedar Rapids in an exciting new light. After walking through the murals, viewers can go to the roof and look out on the beauty of the river and Cedar Rapids against the night sky in person. When exploring the building for the first time, that view was very inspiring. I think it played a big part in the making of these pieces.


Q) In your experience, how do murals impact a business financially or what are the after-effects of how public art changes and shapes a location?

A) Public art can become iconic! It creates personality and identity. Something for people to talk about and connect with. To me, that's what makes public art so exciting. You're communicating with so many people over a long period of time. What a cool thing!


Q) Can you go into your process a bit? If possible, how do you approach a project, start to finish?

A) First, I ensure that the job fits me personally and my illustrative style. I delve into who the art is for and what message I want to send. I then conceptualize from there. I'm usually illustrating on my iPad to begin with. I build and edit the illustration as needed. From there, it becomes reality! Which is the most exciting part. Going layer by layer, I paint over what is usually a period of a few weeks until everything looks as it should. Seeing a piece physically sit in the place it was intended for is so gratifying. I also love to see how viewers interact with it.


Q) What is your one wish or hope for how people view or engage with your seek and search mural?

A) I'd love for these to be murals people can get lost in. Like entering a new world, but with little familiar elements. I want people to see these murals multiple times and notice things they didn't notice before. Especially for those local to Cedar Rapids. There are many paths for your eye to go through as well as easter eggs of other local businesses! There is also a sequential element between the three murals. See if you can find it!


Q) What is a dream project that you would love to work on?

A) I would love to create a huge mural in the downtown of a big city!