Just who is Jen Monson?

I love to draw. I have been drawing since I was a little tyke who picked up a crayon and drew on my first wall. Now, as a 40-something woman, I still find new things to work with.

What are my favorite things to work with? That changes all the time. Currently it is watercolors. In fact, I’m trying to find new surfaces to do watercolors on! New things to watercolor paint too.

What are my favorite things to paint? Let’s see. Koi, most definitely. My goal is to become the #1 Koi Artist in Sacramento, then the world! I enjoy painting people’s pets. Painting faces of love is a huge cure for depression! Then there are birds, horses, cats, trees, mountains…

Where do I get my inspiration? From all around me. Nature, animals, people, the oil stain on the blacktop. I tend to paint things that help me feel peaceful. I battle anxiety and depression daily, so those things I surround myself with help give me a safe place. I listen to all kinds of music as I work. Different moods are felt by different songs. Oh, and the color green is so inspiring to me.

What am I excited about right now? I’m working on illustrations for a children’s book for the first time! I’m also looking forward to seeing what 2021 will have in store for me. It can only go up after last year!

What is A Peace of my heART? It started out with me wanting to convey how I feel about my art. For me, it brings me a sense of Peace in a turbulent time. I have had a lot of anxiety and depression since I was a little kid, and Art was always a way to help manage it. I love that now I can use the internet and local shows to show others where this love is. It comes from my heart. Every piece I paint or create is imbued with my love for it, and my hope that it will be felt by whomever views it. And I love that right there in the word Heart is ART. Oh yeah, and now it is a newsletter! Once a month I’ll send out something to convey that love of art. You can sign up here if you haven’t already.

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