Biography/CV
Photo by Leona Strassburg Steiner
Mollie Thonneson earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts at New Jersey City University in 2012. She studied illustration at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena from 1979-1981, but soon realized her heart belonged to painting rather than the world of commercial art. Thonneson's work has been shown nationally and internationally. Her current body of work is a continuing conversation that allows one artwork to inspire the next. She has been following this thread since 2013.
Thonneson is the inventor and owner of TAG the Art Game, an award winning collaborative game where players take turns painting, drawing, and collaging to create an abstract piece of artwork. TAG can be purchased online at www.tagtheartgame.com and in over 50 stores in the USA and abroad.
Thonneson is deeply involved in the community art scene where she serves as a board member for Pro Arts Jersey City.
Thonneson abandoned painting temporarily when she and her late husband, Joseph Franklin, founded Joseph Franklin Interior Accessories in 1990. The duo designed and manufactured high-end lamps, mirrors and accent tables that featured natural patinas on copper and handmade ceramic tiles. Their twelve year artistic collaboration ended after Franklin’s death in 2002.
As a child and an adult, Thonneson has lived all over the globe. She moved from Southern California to the East coast in 2007 where she now lives and works with artist Alan Walker and their daughter Tulsi Franklin. Whether she is painting, sewing, designing a lamp or game, Thonneson has a creative spirit that illuminates her life and her work.
EDUCATION
2012. BFA. New Jersey City University. Jersey City, NJ.
1979-1981. Art Center College of Design. Pasadena, Ca.
EXHIBITIONS
2020
Soothing Souls, curated by Jo-El Lopez, Akwaaba Gallery, Newark, NJ
Prayers for the Pandemic, curated by Anne Trauben, online and in print by Drawing Rooms, Jersey City,NJ
afloat, curated by Kerry Kolenut, online Artsy.net and Pro Arts Jersey City
Facets of Women, curated by Lisa Collodro, Casa Columbo Gallery, Jersey City, NJ
I Witness, curated by Juliet Martin, Noho M55 Gallery, New York, NY
Forged in Fabric, curated by Beatrice Mady, Saint Peters University, Jersey City, NJ
2019
Wander, curated by Masha maskina, Art Fair 14c, Hyatt Regency, Jersey City, NJ
Identity, curated by Deirdre Kennedy and Maria Ross, The Gallery Space, Rahway, NJ
Anti-Valentine, curated by Andrea McKenna and Javier Rodriguez, Art House Productions, Jersey City, NJ
Affordable Art Show, curated by Andrea McKenna, Art House Productions, Jersey City, NJ
Dulce, curated by Jo-El Lopez, EqualSpace, Newark, NJ
Salons 2019, Watchung Arts Center, Watchung, NJ
Cosmic Love, curated by Anne Trauben, Drawing Rooms, Jersey City, NJ
Solstice 2019, curated by Alpana Mittal, Rotunda Gallery, Jersey City, NJ
Secrets and Confessions, curated by Kristin DeAngelis,107 Bowers Gallery, Jersey City, NJ
HeArt and Soul, curated by Maria Ross, Barrow Mansion, Jersey City, NJ
2017
New Jersey and You, curated by Robinson Holloway, Village West Gallery, Jersey City, NJ
Alan Walker and Mollie Thonneson, curated by Greg Brickey, Rotunda Gallery, Jersey City, NJ
Solstice, Pro Arts Jersey City , NJ
Whatever, curated by Andrea McKenna and Javier Rodriguez, The Raven, Jersey City, NJ
She Speaks, curated by Jo-El Lopez, Gallery Aferro, Newark, NJ
Do Not Be Afraid, curated by Greg Brickey, Rotunda Gallery, Jersey City, NJ
The Raven Turns 3!, curated by Andrea McKenna and Javier Rodriguez, The Raven, Jersey City, NJ
2016
Dyad, Mollie Thonneson and Alan Walker, curated by Beatrice Mady , Saint Peter's University, Jersey City, NJ
Wearable Art, curated by Andrea McKenna and Javier Rodriguez, The Raven, Jersey City, NJ
Up In Arms! curated by Andrea McKenna and Javier Rodriguez, The Raven, Jersey City, NJ
Moment's Notice, curated by Jo-El Lopez , Newark Open Doors Group Show, Newark, NJ
What Do You Have To Say?, Pro Arts Members Show, Jersey City, NJ
Power in Fragility, curated by Eileen Ferara, Mack Cali business center, Jersey City, NJ
Untitled Group Show, curated by Maria Ross, Barrow Mansion, Jersey City, NJ
2015
Curators Choice 2015, curated by Jeanne Brasile, Jersey City Art Museum, Jersey City, NJ
Mostly Drawing, curated by Anne Trauben, Victory Hall Drawing Rooms, Jersey City, NJ
Solo Show, curated by Jo-El Lopez , 85 Market Street, Newark, NJ
A Show of Hands: The Fiber Arts, curated by Barbara Nair, Spectrum Gallery, Centerbrook, CT
Baker's Dozen, Lawrence Cappiello, Arts Guild, Rahway, NJ
Kinetic Color, Modern Sage, Jersey City, NJ
The Raven Turns 2!, curated by Andrea McKenna and Javier Rodriguez, The Raven, Jersey City, NJ
2014
Big Small Painting Show, curated by Anne Trauben, Victory Hall Drawing Rooms, Jersey City, NJ
Curator’s Choice 2014, curated by David Ambrose, Jersey City Museum, Jersey City, NJ
Interconnections, Tatiana Lopez, CitiLife, Jersey City, NJ
Same Difference, curated by Abby Levine, Willam V. Musto Cultural Center, Union City, NJ
Personal Perspectives, Maxwell’s, Hoboken, NJ
Reflections and Interpretations; works in paint and textile, curated by Eileen Ferara, Mack Cali, Jersey City, NJ
Dialogue Between 6 Painters, curated by Vince Salvati, Citilife, Jersey City, NJ
The Glass Chronicles, Solo Show, curated by John Fathom, GP’s Hamilton Park, Jersey City, NJ
ProArts Members Show, City Hall, Jersey City, NJ
2013
We 6, AlleyArts, Jersey City, NJ
Big Small Painting Show, Victory Hall Drawing Rooms, Jersey City, NJ
Rock Soup, TenMarc, Jersey City, NJ
Presence, ProArts Members Show, Jersey City, NJ
SJC+Art, Victory Hall Drawing Rooms, Jersey City, NJ
Four Word Process, City Hall, Jersey City, NJ
Celebrate!, RSI Bank, Rahway, NJ
We 6, AlleyArts, Jersey City, NJ
AWARDS
Curators Choice 2015, picked by Jeanne Brasile as a favorite portfolio following Meet the Curators portfolio review
Curators Choice 2014, picked by David Ambrose as a favorite portfolio following Meet the Curators portfolio review
ARTICLES and Reviews
Jersey City Times, "Art Review: Cosmic Love". October 18, 2019 https://jcitytimes.com/cosmic-love/
The Source, "Spectrum Gallery Presents First Show of 2015". January 22, 2015.p52
New York Times, Events in New Jersey, image. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/06/nyregion/events-in-new-jersey-for-april-6-12- 2014.html?_r=0
Hortillosa, Summer D. "Complementary Colors: Mollie Thonneson and Alan Walker Are Perfect Match in Art and Love"
Jersey City Independent. February 19, 2013. http://www.jerseycityindependent.com/2013/02/19/complementary-colors-mollie- thonneson-and-alan-walker-are-perfect-match-in-art- and-love/
Hortillosa, Summer D. “NJCU grad’s paintings find ‘gems among city’s chaos’”.
The Jersey Journal. May 5, 2012. p14
http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2012/05/jersey_city_painter_has_show_a.html
Tuchman, Laura J. “A Midsummer Melange of Brightness and Brooding”.
The Orange County Register. July 31, 1987. p28
2012. BFA. New Jersey City University. Jersey City, NJ.
1979-1981. Art Center College of Design. Pasadena, Ca.
EXHIBITIONS
2020
Soothing Souls, curated by Jo-El Lopez, Akwaaba Gallery, Newark, NJ
Prayers for the Pandemic, curated by Anne Trauben, online and in print by Drawing Rooms, Jersey City,NJ
afloat, curated by Kerry Kolenut, online Artsy.net and Pro Arts Jersey City
Facets of Women, curated by Lisa Collodro, Casa Columbo Gallery, Jersey City, NJ
I Witness, curated by Juliet Martin, Noho M55 Gallery, New York, NY
Forged in Fabric, curated by Beatrice Mady, Saint Peters University, Jersey City, NJ
2019
Wander, curated by Masha maskina, Art Fair 14c, Hyatt Regency, Jersey City, NJ
Identity, curated by Deirdre Kennedy and Maria Ross, The Gallery Space, Rahway, NJ
Anti-Valentine, curated by Andrea McKenna and Javier Rodriguez, Art House Productions, Jersey City, NJ
Affordable Art Show, curated by Andrea McKenna, Art House Productions, Jersey City, NJ
Dulce, curated by Jo-El Lopez, EqualSpace, Newark, NJ
Salons 2019, Watchung Arts Center, Watchung, NJ
Cosmic Love, curated by Anne Trauben, Drawing Rooms, Jersey City, NJ
Solstice 2019, curated by Alpana Mittal, Rotunda Gallery, Jersey City, NJ
Secrets and Confessions, curated by Kristin DeAngelis,107 Bowers Gallery, Jersey City, NJ
HeArt and Soul, curated by Maria Ross, Barrow Mansion, Jersey City, NJ
2017
New Jersey and You, curated by Robinson Holloway, Village West Gallery, Jersey City, NJ
Alan Walker and Mollie Thonneson, curated by Greg Brickey, Rotunda Gallery, Jersey City, NJ
Solstice, Pro Arts Jersey City , NJ
Whatever, curated by Andrea McKenna and Javier Rodriguez, The Raven, Jersey City, NJ
She Speaks, curated by Jo-El Lopez, Gallery Aferro, Newark, NJ
Do Not Be Afraid, curated by Greg Brickey, Rotunda Gallery, Jersey City, NJ
The Raven Turns 3!, curated by Andrea McKenna and Javier Rodriguez, The Raven, Jersey City, NJ
2016
Dyad, Mollie Thonneson and Alan Walker, curated by Beatrice Mady , Saint Peter's University, Jersey City, NJ
Wearable Art, curated by Andrea McKenna and Javier Rodriguez, The Raven, Jersey City, NJ
Up In Arms! curated by Andrea McKenna and Javier Rodriguez, The Raven, Jersey City, NJ
Moment's Notice, curated by Jo-El Lopez , Newark Open Doors Group Show, Newark, NJ
What Do You Have To Say?, Pro Arts Members Show, Jersey City, NJ
Power in Fragility, curated by Eileen Ferara, Mack Cali business center, Jersey City, NJ
Untitled Group Show, curated by Maria Ross, Barrow Mansion, Jersey City, NJ
2015
Curators Choice 2015, curated by Jeanne Brasile, Jersey City Art Museum, Jersey City, NJ
Mostly Drawing, curated by Anne Trauben, Victory Hall Drawing Rooms, Jersey City, NJ
Solo Show, curated by Jo-El Lopez , 85 Market Street, Newark, NJ
A Show of Hands: The Fiber Arts, curated by Barbara Nair, Spectrum Gallery, Centerbrook, CT
Baker's Dozen, Lawrence Cappiello, Arts Guild, Rahway, NJ
Kinetic Color, Modern Sage, Jersey City, NJ
The Raven Turns 2!, curated by Andrea McKenna and Javier Rodriguez, The Raven, Jersey City, NJ
2014
Big Small Painting Show, curated by Anne Trauben, Victory Hall Drawing Rooms, Jersey City, NJ
Curator’s Choice 2014, curated by David Ambrose, Jersey City Museum, Jersey City, NJ
Interconnections, Tatiana Lopez, CitiLife, Jersey City, NJ
Same Difference, curated by Abby Levine, Willam V. Musto Cultural Center, Union City, NJ
Personal Perspectives, Maxwell’s, Hoboken, NJ
Reflections and Interpretations; works in paint and textile, curated by Eileen Ferara, Mack Cali, Jersey City, NJ
Dialogue Between 6 Painters, curated by Vince Salvati, Citilife, Jersey City, NJ
The Glass Chronicles, Solo Show, curated by John Fathom, GP’s Hamilton Park, Jersey City, NJ
ProArts Members Show, City Hall, Jersey City, NJ
2013
We 6, AlleyArts, Jersey City, NJ
Big Small Painting Show, Victory Hall Drawing Rooms, Jersey City, NJ
Rock Soup, TenMarc, Jersey City, NJ
Presence, ProArts Members Show, Jersey City, NJ
SJC+Art, Victory Hall Drawing Rooms, Jersey City, NJ
Four Word Process, City Hall, Jersey City, NJ
Celebrate!, RSI Bank, Rahway, NJ
We 6, AlleyArts, Jersey City, NJ
AWARDS
Curators Choice 2015, picked by Jeanne Brasile as a favorite portfolio following Meet the Curators portfolio review
Curators Choice 2014, picked by David Ambrose as a favorite portfolio following Meet the Curators portfolio review
ARTICLES and Reviews
Jersey City Times, "Art Review: Cosmic Love". October 18, 2019 https://jcitytimes.com/cosmic-love/
The Source, "Spectrum Gallery Presents First Show of 2015". January 22, 2015.p52
New York Times, Events in New Jersey, image. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/06/nyregion/events-in-new-jersey-for-april-6-12- 2014.html?_r=0
Hortillosa, Summer D. "Complementary Colors: Mollie Thonneson and Alan Walker Are Perfect Match in Art and Love"
Jersey City Independent. February 19, 2013. http://www.jerseycityindependent.com/2013/02/19/complementary-colors-mollie- thonneson-and-alan-walker-are-perfect-match-in-art- and-love/
Hortillosa, Summer D. “NJCU grad’s paintings find ‘gems among city’s chaos’”.
The Jersey Journal. May 5, 2012. p14
http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2012/05/jersey_city_painter_has_show_a.html
Tuchman, Laura J. “A Midsummer Melange of Brightness and Brooding”.
The Orange County Register. July 31, 1987. p28