Meet Cassidy Poe | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cassidy Poe and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cassidy, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I was born and raised in Columbus Ohio! I have lived here my whole life and I really love Columbus because it truly is such an art city. My mother is an artist and taught me to draw at 6 months old hand over hand with crayons, as I grew up she supervised me with painting and markers until I could do it on my own.
As I grew up I really became interested in painting. We had a professional acrylic painter who lived across the street from me when I was 10 who my grandma asked to mentor me and I studied acrylic painting under her from ages 10-12. I really learned a lot from her and gained a lot of the knowledge I still use in my work today!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

I’ve been making art for as long as I can remember. I started at a really young age and always had encouragement from family members and friends to grow and keep trying with my art.
I started to blossom in 2020 during the pandemic when classes all became remote while I was studying at Columbus State Community College. I ended up turning my bedroom into a small studio and I spent the beginning of the pandemic hiding away and painting until late hours of the night. I was determined to find my style as an artist…and I did! I started using bright colors and making all kinds of whimsical colorful creations with rainbows, butterflies, flowers, space/galaxy and all kinds of funky things. My imagination just came to life on canvas!
In 2021 I told my husband I wanted to be a full time artist and work for myself, so I did and he encouraged me every step of the way! I decided to go back to working in 2022 due to some family matters in which I became a caretaker for my younger brother who has Cerebral Palsy. But! That didn’t stop me. This year, while working 40 hours a week as my brother’s caretaker I also managed to attend 35 Art Markets all around Columbus selling my artwork. I can’t say it was easy, because it was NOT. But it was extremely fulfilling and
I found a part of myself I didn’t know. Turns out I love meeting new people, connecting and growing. I also learned that a work life balance is extremely important, so be kind to yourself. If you think you need a break, give it to yourself and remember this is the only life you got so do what you love and never look back!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

If you were in Columbus for a week, I’d take you to OtherWorld, which is a really cool interactive art exhibit in Reynoldsburg. Then North Market and COSI which are both downtown! North Market is a market with all different types of cuisines that which is a really interesting unique food spot! COSI is a science center for kids, but adults can have fun too. There are all different kinds of exhibits to explore. We’d probably also hit up Studio 18 and do the Splatter Room and splatter some canvases, and Graeter’s Ice cream in Old Worthington!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am currently shadowing/interning at Studio 18 Art Gallery in Clintonville! Shoutout to my lovely friend Tayler Brady who owns the gallery and gave me that opportunity. I’d also like to give credit to Valerie Dunning-Edwards, who taught me to paint at ages 10-12 and my lovely husband Zach who has encouraged me and loved me throughout every step of my artistic business journey.

Website: www.MoxieBeanArt.com

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