This piece is part of our COLAtoday Q+A series. Do you know someone we should interview? Nominate them here.
You’d probably recognize her art before her face, but today we are sitting down with local artist, Cait Maloney — aka a Columbia-based designer, illustrator, and macaroni + cheese advocate. She’s done everything from murals to beer can designs, illustrations, stickers, menus, logos, posters, and more.
Speaking of her work around town, check out Cait’s latest mural work, revealed earlier this week. She calls the work “Float” and was painted at the new, soon-to-open Cambria Hotel in the Vista, sitting on the corner of Park + Lady Streets, set to welcome guests this spring.
We asked Cait 13 questions about her art, Capital City favorites, and recent work — we bet you’ll recognize a lot of it. (Read time: 4 minutes.)
Describe your perfect day in Columbia.
I would start my day with a river adventure. Afterward, I’d be hungry, so order onion rings and a pimento cheeseburger at Rockaways Athletic Club, take a nap, go to an art show (either my own or someone else’s) and finish my day by going to The Whig for mac and cheese and wine.
Who are 2-3 other local artists you’re inspired by? Why?
All of them. I love to see what everyone else is doing and love to visually feast on anything I can find. The student art section at the SC State Fair is my favorite because there’s so much fun stuff in there. They don’t worry about anything and there’s so much freedom in what they create.
What were the last 3 things you did locally?
Workwise:
- 20th anniversary SC Education lottery’s scratch off tickets
- St. Pat’s posters
- SC State Fair branding
Physically around town:
- Went to WeCo Bottle and Biergarten
- Went to The War Mouth
- Went to Columbia Design League’s Event at Steel Hands Brewing
What’s your go-to Cola meal?
I cook a lot and we try to be “healthy” (“boring”), so If I really want to jam out — Pasta Fresca (order the loaded bread and pesto) and I really love Village of India in Northeast Columbia. It’s in a strip mall with Big Lots, there’s loads of parking, the people are nice, and it’s so good.
How did you get your start in Columbia?
Dre Lopez gave me my first shot in town with a Circus group called Alternacirque that performed around town. During a First Thursday event I designed some trading cards for two performers and the cards were shown.
Where’s somewhere you’ve always wanted to design, draw, or paint in Cola that you haven’t yet?
I do see walls sometimes that pique my interest. One thing I think would be cool and was inspired by COVID — is when there’s an old building with boarded windows. I’d like to paint a mural on them for as long as they are there to add some color for a while — just until they are taken down.
What’s something that every Soda Citizen should know about?
- Affordable art exists, it’ll make your life better, and you probably won’t find it at Soda City Market. Attend art events and educate yourself in local artists around town. Art doesn’t have to be “fancy” all the time.
- There are all these crazy resources at the Richland Library — like a wood shop. It’s nutty and more people need to know about it.
- I’ve noticed a lot of fairy gardens around town that I think are really cool. Look for them in neighborhoods.
What do you think Columbia will be known for in 10 years?
Being cooler than Charleston and Greenville. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want traffic to be impossible, but it’s so cool to see how much Cola has grown since I moved here in 2008. I think locals have started to change their mindset about how they view Columbia too. Columbia is getting there, and will soon overtake other SC cities. [She added while laughing] — I want people to know this, and visit — but also, you have to leave after visiting.
What’s been your fave local project and why?
Lady Vista on the side of Boku. I did an interview for a company in Canada and one of the questions on the interview was, “what would your dream gig be?” and I said, “to do branding for a mac and cheese restaurant or do a bitc**n mural.” The Vista Guild saw my interview and reached out to me. I didn’t know what the hell I was doing and it was so gratifying when it was done. There were times I had to google “how to paint a mural.”
If you weren’t doing art, what would you do?
I’d either be a ballerina or a bartender. I got really into ballet growing up and my focus shifted to art later, but I also dabbled in some catering in college — and it’s just fun to talk to random people.
What medium do you work in the most / what’s your favorite?
Drawing using a sh**ty pencil and a sh**ty piece of paper, and I’ll probably throw some ink on it at some point. There’s just no pressure or feeling like “Oh, I’m going to ruin my good paper.” I have a hoarded drawer of good paper, but I like “can’t use it” because that’s my good paper. It’s like having stickers. I have a drawer of stickers, but don’t stick them because it’s too much pressure where to put them.
What’s one thing you want locals to know about you or your art?
I don’t want to be famous, I just want to make cool sh*t. I barely sign my work. I want everyone to enjoy it, but I don’t need the recognition. I’m shy and I REALLY just want to make cool stuff. I’m just a doer and want to make things.
Is there a piece of art or design that means the most to you?
I kind of hate everything. Art’s a process. You’re like, “I have this crazy idea” and you start doing it, but then it never comes out the way you pictured it — but that’s also kind of ok. And then you have to share it with someone. Art needs an audience to be art. It has to live among people. I love to see a response of any kind (good or bad), but then some come back around and I’m like, “Ok, I liked that,” and then other times I’m like, “What was I thinking?” The most meaningful pieces I’m still marinating on — but I’ll probably hate them when they come out too.
Cait’s possible future projects:
- Doing a line of graphic t-shirts of places that don’t exist anymore.
- A local guide or map of weirdo stuff around town like a fairy garden or a cool mural that’s forgotten about or stuff that’s there that goes unnoticed.
