Meet Molly Jo Schlenkerman

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How did you start creating?
I am an ICU nurse and worked doing open heart recovery for the last 20 years. After the pandemic, I wasn't able to work overtime anymore. I always worked a lot of overtime so I needed to supplement my income. I started flipping thrift store finds, that evolved into flipping furniture, and that led into furniture artistry. I had shown a friend of mine what I was up to, I had just found Brushed by Brandy and Crysdawna, and she showed me Dionne Woods pieces and I was in love with the whole process of furniture artistry. I was always creative but never considered myself an artist per se. So I got a small table, painted it creatively, and I tripled my profit margin on it...I was thrilled!!! I found something I could supplement my income with that was also very cathartic and therapeutic for me and I haven't looked back.
Favorite thing you have ever created?
Honestly I have a top 3 list of things I've painted, but my favorite thing I've created would have to be our business. My husband and I very recently bought a building where they sold and repaired lawn mowers. We had a vision and made it a really classy place for other creaters to sell their art, and we did it all ourselves. We're still ironing out some wrinkles but I think it's going to be pretty amazing. www.rmbsartsandantiques.com
Favorite Paint and Color to work with?
My favorite paint is DIY Clay based paint, and my favorite color is Bohemian Blue from that line! My favorite color as a general rule is yellow. 
Something most do not know about you
Most people don't know I play piano. I took lessons for 13 years and accompanied my middle school and high school choirs. 
Flashback to when you were 10 years old. What do you want to be when you grow up?
When I was 10, I wanted to be a missionary. I was pretty active in my religion and I liked the idea of an occupation where you could travel. My faith made me feel very safe when I put the work into it, and I suppose at that age, that was the only job I could understand that would feel fulfilling and be able to travel.
If you could choose anywhere in the world to live, where would it be and why?
If I was born anywhere in the world, I'd honestly want to live in the United States. If I could live anywhere that provided the same freedoms we have, I'd have to say Thailand. My husband and I spent a month in Thailand and it was just an amazing place. The people were extremely kind, it was inexpensive, the culture is deep, and it was just all around a fantastic place to be. 
Finish this sentence. On Sunday mornings, you can usually find me...
Working at the new store RMB's Arts and Antiques
How do you want people to remember you?
I want people's thoughts to go something like this. "That Molly girl she's something. Her artwork is beautiful! Ya know what else? She doesn't care! And not that she doesn't care but you see her and sometimes she's dolled up and other times she's covered in paint looking ragged and she's always the same person. She's really nice and will go out of her way for you but she will tell you exactly what she thinks so you know where you stand with her"