As the co-owner of two real estate title and closing companies for the last 20 years, Paula J. Maloney learned the hard way how to “pencil in” time for art. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Maloney grew up in the small town of Murphysboro, Illinois. She graduated from Southeast Missouri State University with a degree in Communications and Marketing and worked for two decades as a journalist and publicist in Southern Illinois before joining her husband, Scott, in the family business.

With a passion for the arts since childhood, Maloney has used her downtime for painting and drawing as a creative outlet. She currently dedicates her time to many organizations, and among them, “Miss Paula” serves as a volunteer art teacher at a private school.

Her love of painting and all things artistic has allowed her to host and teach many classes for adults. She has also developed a market for selling her creations.

Volunteerism is in her blood, and she proudly serves as lead chairman for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life in Jackson County, Illinois. She has worked as a volunteer with ACS since 1985. As a philanthropist, over 90 percent of her art sales and lesson fees have been donated to various charitable organizations.

Additionally, Maloney serves as a dedicated volunteer for many other groups, including the Murphysboro Apple Festival, Murphysboro Main Street, and the Revitalize 62966/Public Art Committee.

Maloney loves to travel, bake, and entertain. She is the mother of two grown children. As the eldest of six, she has always been dedicated, family-oriented, and driven. She is also a recent breast cancer survivor. Her personal motto is: “Make your life happen and never let life happen to you.”