A Colorful Life: Inside the Studio of Middle Tennessee Artist Molly Gleason
As a designer, I’m always looking for new ways to add depth and meaning to the spaces I create. Art plays such a key role in that—and recently, I had the joy of sitting down with my friend and local artist Molly Gleason, whose work I absolutely adore. Based here in Middle Tennessee, Molly paints both abstract and impressionist pieces, often inspired by nature, light, and memory.
I’ve started painting a little myself, and I find myself drawn not just to Molly’s vibrant use of color and texture, but to her way of seeing the world. Her joy for creating is contagious. I wanted to share our conversation, both to introduce her work to others and to reflect on how art, like interior design, can shape and enrich our daily lives.
A Childhood of Color and Wonder
Chatting with Molly is like being immersed in a fresh passion for life. Her excitement about beauty is contagious, and her studio radiates the warmth and playfulness she brings to her work.
Molly considers herself a colorist by nature—she’s always been deeply drawn to color. Growing up, her family spent a lot of time outdoors, and her mother had a habit of pointing out little moments of beauty: the way sunlight hit an object, the colors of a blooming tree. It was a childhood steeped in wonder, and it shaped Molly’s eye for the small, glowing details.
Even when her subject matter is more subdued, Molly instinctively brings color into it. She appreciates tonal works, but it’s not her natural way of seeing or painting. “I don’t believe there is a color that is man-made,” she told me. “I think every single color has been in nature first, in Creation first. And I think that’s just so exciting!”
From Canvas to Composition
When I asked Molly about composition, I was struck by how similar it is to what I consider when designing a room.
“Okay, it depends on what I'm doing. If I'm doing something more like a still life, then I might spend some time setting it up, making sure I have a good light source, fooling around with it. Asking myself how the viewer enters into the painting? With composition, you want to just find a way to enter the painting… You want the way you enter into it to lead you throughout the painting to your focal point.”
In the same way, I think a well-designed space should draw you in. The lines and layout guide your eyes. The colors and textures invite you to stay. Like a great piece of art, a great room tells a story.
Molly also works with a limited palette—a decision that keeps her work feeling cohesive and fluid. It reminds me so much of interior design, where sticking to a consistent palette across a room brings everything together with ease and intentionality.
The Power of Light, Contrast, and Color
Molly’s understanding of color and value resonates deeply with me as a designer. She talks about the importance of variety—how a viewer finds satisfaction when there are values of light, dark, and everything in between. In the words of one of her past instructors:
“You have to have the dark in order to have the light.”
That hit home for me. Every room needs contrast. It’s what keeps a space from feeling flat or unfinished. Whether it’s through color, texture, or shape, contrast brings life and depth. It’s why I always encourage clients to consider something grounding, like a touch of black—even in a soft, neutral space.
Molly also shared how warm and cool tones need to live together in a painting, how they balance one another and make the work more interesting. And again—I was nodding along. That’s exactly what makes a room feel alive. Too warm, and it can feel overwhelming. Too cool, and it lacks coziness. A thoughtful mix makes all the difference.
“Genevieve”
Art as Healing, and the Light That Follows
I asked Molly if painting helped her work through emotions. Her answer was both deeply personal and incredibly moving:
“Totally. When I was going through a very, very dark time with an unwanted divorce… I would go down to my basement—before I had my studio—and paint, and paint, and paint… Sometimes till the wee hours of the morning.
I would listen to all different kinds of music. Sometimes it was music that helped me focus on God and His goodness… Sometimes it was country music where people are ‘stinking mad’… But God used that experience to begin me on my healing journey. My art did not heal me, but He used it, because He is the ultimate healer.”
Later, she shared how a solo show at a local coffee shop following that time led to the sale of 27 paintings—and helped give her the confidence to pursue a studio of her own. It’s a beautiful example of how creativity and healing can go hand in hand, and how light follows even the darkest seasons.
A Life Reflected in Paint
Molly paints what she knows and loves—scenes from her flower garden, her family farm, her travels. A bookstore in Boston. Sheep from Scotland. A dilapidated barn in the Tennessee hills. The places and moments that stir her heart are the ones that find their way onto her canvas.
Her abstracts, especially, feel playful and spontaneous. She told me one of her pieces, “Flock of Fun,” started as a random splash of paint—until a friend looked over and said, “That looks like a chicken.” The resulting piece is just bursting with motion and joy. (pictured above)
Starting (or Starting Again)
Molly didn’t fully dive into painting until her 40s, after moving back to her hometown. She took art lessons for a time, then set her brushes aside for over a decade. It wasn’t until her mid-50s, encouraged by a friend, that she picked them up again. Now, she paints as often as she can—sometimes daily, even if only for 30 minutes.
It’s a reminder to us all: it’s never too late to start something new, or to return to something that brings you life.
Bringing It Home
One of the things I love most about Molly’s work is how much room it leaves for the viewer to enter in. It’s layered with emotion, story, and soul—but it also invites your imagination. That’s the kind of art I love to place in a home. The kind that brings warmth, color, and curiosity. The kind that feels like it belongs.
As you think about your own home, consider the art on your walls. What colors and shapes pull you in? What stories do they tell—or spark? And are they helping create a space that reflects who you are and where you’ve been?If you’re ready to explore a few pieces that might do just that, I highly encourage you to check out Molly’s work. You can find her on Instagram and see more of her available pieces @ Molly Gleason Studio..
Whether you’re filling a blank wall or simply want something beautiful to pause in front of each morning, her paintings offer something rare: joy, honesty, and a deep celebration of life.
A special thanks to Molly for sharing her story and her art with the world!
If you find yourself stuck in your home design and in need of some direction, reach out! I’d love to chat with you about ways I might support you.