Today we’d like to introduce you to Charlotte Hacker-Mullen.
Hi Charlotte, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My journey as an artist was not so much a choice as it was a calling. In my early 20s, I embarked on a cross-country adventure from my home state of South Carolina with a vague dream of life in California on the back burner. Along the way, I busked on street corners, sold artwork in cities, slept under the stars and met people from all walks of life. Eventually, I arrived in Los Angeles with a whole lot of enthusiasm and not much else. To be honest, LA life was not easy, however, I found a few hustles including a gig as high stakes poker game hostess, some bartending gigs, and work on a campy horror film set. I staked out a spot on the Venice Beach boardwalk and managed to sell some paintings and befriend a whole lot of lovable weirdos. I began wheat pasting large scale drawings at night as Sludgepony and fell in love with the process and thrill.
Eventually, I moved to Oakland and was very much inspired by Oakland’s creative community. In the bay, I was able to have my first solo art shows and work on large-scale commissions. However, in March 2020 everything changed. The pandemic greatly impacted my ability to work. That is when I decided to pack up my Honda CRV and head down to Baja indefinitely. An opportunity presented itself in which I was able to do the repairs and finishes on a space in exchange for rent. This space because my Magik Vortex. The Magik Vortex is my gallery and studio, located in Todos Santos. It is my very own portal into the everyday magic that surrounds us, and it brings me joy to create and share work in this space.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has not been smooth at all, however, all oppositions only brought me closer to knowing that my magic power is my creativity.
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?
I am primarily a painter and illustrator. My work is colorful, silly and psychedelic. Interconnectedness is the primary theme. I am most proud of the gallery and studio I have created in Todos Santos, Baja Sur. I want visitors to have a truly immersive experience in my humble space. Other projects I am proud of include an installation in Oakland’s Bonsai Garden featuring arranged reincarnated objects, Community mural projects, countless show flyers and painting a life-size Oakland Athletic’s Stomper Mascot to be displayed downtown.
What makes you happy?
Working collectively on creative projects, drawing, dreaming, surfing, nature, life on the road, buttery popcorn
Pricing:
- Digital Custom portraits starting at $100 USD
- Custom Hand drawn Portraits starting at $200 USD
- Custom painted portraits starting at $300 usd
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Sludegpony.com
- Instagram: @sludgepony @magikvortex
