I met Molly for the first time at a signing of her Dr. Sketchy’s Rainy Day Coloring Book, the artist was dressed in a busty black number, like a delirium vision from the Victorian age.  Since then Molly has continued to show the world a kaleidoscopic vision of itself—from illustrated portraits of transgender strong men to paintings of contortionist floozies. Recently, Molly whose work has been called “disgustingly wonderful” by the elusive Warren Ellis (Transmetropolitan) has been sketching the incredible variety of people joining the Occupy Wall Street movement in New York.  She shared some of these with us along with her reflections on the movement’s success so far.  —Tana Wojczuk

MYOO: What was it like at Occupy Wall Street (in New York)?

Molly Crabapple: I live about half a block from Liberty Plaza.  It was formerly a pretty desolate place where I’d grab some halal chicken at 2am. It’s now become a thriving mini city with a library, soup kitchen, sophisticated media center, childcare, even a “comfort station” (free area where you can get clothes and blankets donated by supporters.) Occupy Wall Street has created an amazing infrastructure and is just a happy, welcoming place where you can meet people from all walks of life.

MYOO: What motivated you to go?

Molly: I’ve been visiting Liberty Park since the first day of the protest.  Its an extremely inclusive protest, not at all “fuck the rich!” or “fuck the cops!” but rather one with a powerful message against extreme economic inequality.  I’d been waiting for this sort of populist movement in the US, and when Occupy Wall Street was formed, I knew I had to support it.  I’ve become increasingly impressed by what the movement has built.

MYOO: What is the role of art in protest movements like these? Or what specific role has it had in Occupy Wall Street?

Molly: Visual art has two important roles in protest movements.  I don’t believe that art is important to political change when used for it’s own sake—self expression isn’t the same as building a soup kitchen or leading a boycott, and it’s self-indulgent to think otherwise.  Art is however an absolutely kickass tool for both fundraising and persuasion. Whatever one thinks of Shepard Fairey, its indisputable that his HOPE poster got many liberal but apathetic people off their asses and to the voting booth.  While I’m skeptical that art can change deeply help convictions, I absolutely believe that it can motivate passive people to action.

MYOO: What was the most surprising thing about being at the protests?

Molly: I love that the OWS protests are so welcoming to people who aren’t  versed in “activist culture.”  I’m not a professional activist, though I do my best on the fundraising front, and activist scenes can sometimes be incredibly obsessed with ideological purity, and thus very intimidating for new people to join.  I’ve never gotten this sense at OWS.  It has this beautiful, “all are welcome to pitch in,” “create the world you want” vibe that I was pleasantly surprised by, and that I deeply admire.

-Molly Crabapple is an artist, author, and the founder of Dr. Sketchy’s Anti Art School.  See her work at http://www.mollycrabapple.com