Meet Artist Molly B Right, an Elliotborough original

ArtLife

Mar 14

Written By

Yesterday I stopped by the Elliotborough studio of artist Molly B Right. Molly has been written about in a variety of publications, has been featured on HGTV and is perhaps one of the first wave of trend setters in the neighborhood. She and her husband, artist and designer David Boatwright (who painted the grits are good for you mural on the Cannonborough restaurant Hominy Grill) moved in to Elliotborough neighborhood in 2000. Molly was a new mom and her husband David had set out to find a lot where they could build a modern home in downtown Charleston Sc. David studied architecture before he focused on fine art and the couple is responsible for the first modern architecture in the neighborhood. They have strong roots in Elliotborough, and Molly admits a certain amount of nostalgia for the way things were. "The neighborhood was a bit quieter before the college students moved in", shares Molly, but she immediately gushes about a "new vitality". "The neighborhood feels like it is popping" she explains "things are about to really happen". She singles out the newly renovated Fuzzco building as a great example. "Before people were a little closed and fearful, but now we have buildings with glass fronts, and that shows a wonderful optimism and vitality that is incredibly hip." Molly's work is as fresh as her attitude. Her bottle cap portraits, a concept she stumbled upon in 2004 while working on a series of pieces exploring the concept of Jesus Saves. The artist asked herself the question and while working on a portrait of Jesus with a bottle cap halo, became inspired. Her next piece was a madonna portrait in bottle caps which she flattens and fastens to sheet metal panels. The rest is history, she moved her studio out of the home and went to work, mainly on commissions. She is currently working on several exciting projects including portraits of three children, for a family from out west. Lady Liberty, a commission for a couple in New York, and Carmen, for a couple from North Carolina. She is also excited about doing a portrait of congressman James Clyburn for the new building at MUSC. Her work is currently in the newstands in the latest edition of Southern Living. Molly's work is included in high profile collections and her piece Woman with a Turban, attracted national attention when it was featured in Coastal Living Magazine. Check out Molly on the web @ www.mollybright.net and her recent work atwww.gallery.me.com/mright. As always if you have an interest in knowing more about studios, commercial spaces or homes in downtown Charleson, Sc call me, Currie McCullough 843-853-2004.