There are many things to love about Mollie Green and La Familia Green. These include her whimsical drawings, the way all La Familia Green cards are born (they are originally handcut collage, drawing, or print made in Mollie’s studio), the way the company celebrates rescue pets, and of course, their commitment to make choices that do not affect the environment in the most adverse of ways. From this intro alone, I’m sure you already like Mollie Green. But we have a treat for you. We have an interview here that will make you huge fans of this creative lady and her labor of love, La Familia Green:
Top 5 things that inspire you.
5. Daily life. Local news, softball games, rock shows, traffic…
4. Folk art and ethnic textiles. My studio and home are filled with my collection (from Poland, Mexico, Scandinavia, and France) and treasured pieces passed on to me by my grandmother.
3. Food
2. The places that I love – Chicago, New York, Paris, Santa Fe, and West Texas
1. My Family. My dog Stickers, cat Lemur, and boyfriend Pete
Favorite spot in your studio.
I love when my cat and dog hang out in the studio while I work. So wherever they are lounging is my favorite spot.
A tool of the trade that you think you cannot live without.
A tape dispenser.
Music you like to listen to while making cards. Or if you don’t listen to music, a movie or TV show you like to watch.
I listen to music, public radio (WBEZ) and podcasts while I work. My boyfriend works with me, and he is a DJ for CHIRP, a local internet radio station. So we listen to CHIRP, as well as new albums. We both like talk, too. Our favorite podcasts are Fresh Air, WTF, The Unloading, White Dad Problems, Very Special Episode, and Doug Loves Movies. We also love to watch Gilmore Girls reruns in the morning.
Luchador and Friends cards from La Familia Green
What is your ultimate favorite from your collections? What is your best seller?
My all-time favorite card is the “Friends” card, featuring real-life frenemies Stickers and Lemur. The luchador cards are my classic best sellers.
What is the most memorable thing that a customer has ever said about your products.
It’s always a treat when a customer asks me to make custom invitations or announcements. Because I only take on custom work by request, I’m flattered when a customer likes my work and shares my sense of humor and taste enough to ask me to design their wedding invitations.
Who are your current favorite artists/designers?
I adore Jim and Albert of The Found. I’m really drawn to clever cards like theirs. I’m currently digging Left Field Cards and Fancy Seeing You Here. And I always love Two Trick Pony, Fugu Fugu Press, Smitten Kitten, Pie Bird Press, Egg Press, Hello! Lucky, and Hammerpress. Also! If you aren’t already, follow designer Jill Bliss (@jill_bliss) on her nature sabbatical. Her drawings are beautiful, and she’s on an amazing journey this year.
If you could send a card to somebody famous, who would the recipient be? What would the card say?
Oh! This is so hard to narrow down! I would send the new Good Game card to Andy Roddick on a career well done. (To be honest, I would send him the “I Love You” mixtape card!)
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Thank you, Mollie!
