Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalia Malley.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My name is Natalia Malley, and I’m the founder, artist, and educator behind Peace Love and Paint, a creative business based in Fairfax, Virginia.
My journey began with a love of art and a desire to bring creativity and joy to others. In 2009, I started Peace Love and Paint, initially focusing on face painting and creative entertainment for children’s birthday parties and special events. What began as a small business grew through word of mouth into a much larger adventure, including art parties, paint and sips, mural painting, and art education and entertainment for schools, corporations, community events, and families throughout Northern Virginia, Maryland, and DC.
Over the years, I discovered that my favorite part of the business wasn’t just the “mirror moment” when a child (or adult) sees their face painting, but also working closely with kids to help them experience the joy of creating art themselves. That realization led me to expand into art education, where I could share my love of art in a more meaningful and hands-on way.
So I created Creative Kids Club, a hands-on, process-based art after-school enrichment program that runs at various schools in Fairfax County.
I also continue to work as a mixed-media artist and muralist, when time allows. In my personal artwork I explore themes of identity, resilience, connection, and the beauty of our shared humanity.
I’m incredibly grateful for how my journey as an artist has evolved into a creative career that allows me to bring art, imagination, and connection into so many different spaces. I’m still learning, still creating, and still finding new ways to share the joy of art with others.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road. Like many small business owners, I’ve had to learn as I go and adapt to all of the unexpected challenges that come with running a creative business.
The pandemic was especially difficult because so much of my work involved parties, events, and schools. I had to rethink how I could continue creating and connecting with people when everything shut down.
Another challenge has been balancing all of the different roles that come with being a creative entrepreneur. I’m not just the artist. I’m also answering emails, managing bookings, buying supplies, creating marketing materials, handling accounting and taxes, developing lessons, and cleaning up after projects!
Over the years, I’ve learned to embrace change rather than be afraid of it. I’ve learned that a creative career doesn’t have to follow a straight path, and sometimes the unexpected changes lead you somewhere even better.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Creativity and connection have always been at the heart of what I do. Through Peace Love and Paint, I work as an artist, educator, and creative entertainer.
One of the things I’m most proud of is my Creative Kids Club after school program. I love helping kids experiment with different materials and techniques, make their own creative choices, and experience the joy and confidence that comes from creating something themselves. I want kids to have the freedom to explore, problem-solve, and develop their own artistic voice, and to walk away feeling inspired, happy, and proud of what they created.
I’m also very proud to have had my own artwork featured in several exhibitions, alongside many incredible artists in Fairfax City. Seeing my artwork displayed in a gallery setting gave me the confidence to embrace that part of my identity and truly feel like a “real artist.”
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is to stay open to change and trust the journey. When I started Peace Love and Paint, I never could have imagined that it would grow into all of the different things I do today. There have been plenty of unexpected turns along the way, but I’ve learned that they can lead to new opportunities and sometimes even better directions. It’s really all about the journey getting there!
I’ve also learned that I don’t have to fit into one box. I’m an artist, educator, entrepreneur, and creative entertainer, and all of those parts of me can coexist. Following what I’m passionate about and finding ways to combine my creativity with meaningful work has been one of the most rewarding parts of the journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.peaceloveandpaint.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peaceloveandpaint/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Peaceloveandpaintfacepainting/
