Today we’d like to introduce you to Monique Downs
Hi Monique , so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I had a love of art, specifically drawing and painting, since Junior High School after a beloved teacher encouraged my talent. One of my favorite Saturday morning shows was Bob Ross. The Joy of Painting. I still love watching his shows on You Tube.
After graduating from high school, I did not draw or paint again for 40 years during which I established a career in the federal government. Shortly before retiring in 2019, I decided to paint again for relaxation and my go-to peaceful hobby, Well the number of paintings started to stack up in the house and friends told me I will have to start selling them or something. Thus, MADXpressions started with no expectation other than to have some fun and maybe make enough money to buy more art supplies, which started to become quite expensive.
My friend who was forming a successful fashion business of her own at the time, gathered me under her wing and showed me the ropes of showcasing work at events and here I am, moving and grooving in the DMV for a third full year. I have certainly met my goal of relaxation and fun.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has been a little bumpy over the past four years, starting with COVID shutting down my first year after my very first showcase in Silver Spring, MD. Everything was closed…no festivals, no events, no nothing. But I used the year and a half to create, learn, grow, plan, figure out how business taxes work, and of course learn social media. I’m still horrible at social media, but my daughter, who is a professional Photographer and Editor, is also an emerging content creator (@femme.phco) and she has drastically improved my social media content over the past few months, because she saw I was struggling.
I think my biggest frustration has been learning my audience and having to accept that I have to occasionally waste much money by participating in events that are not my potential customers. I paid for and participated in events that clearly were not meant for what I offered. Basically, I had to learn how to be highly selective and accept that I’m not for everyone.
The frustrations have been few overall I think because unlike many people starting businesses, this is not a sole source of income, so there is less pressure to produce so I don’t become stale or boring. I must be honest and say that because the pressure is self-imposed, the challenge is to stay focused and participate in events more often. My time does compete with my volunteer work, so I try to stay balanced while still learning and improving my skills and growing the business.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Most of my art has been abstract and freeform images painted on canvas and home decor items such as accent furniture. As I’ve grown in my skillset, I expanded into more detailed portraiture and images that have themes or tells sometimes a complicated story about love or history.
I’m most proud of a commissioned painting I did for a good friend who trusted me to reproduce an image from a famous artist that she loved but couldn’t afford. It was huge, 60 x 40 canvas, and it took me five months. She cried tears of joy when she saw it (I was worried it wasn’t joy for a second LOL) and her happiness made my whole world.
What sets me apart from others I believe is what I do with home decor. I can take a TV table or serving tray and turn it into a functional art centerpiece or conversation piece even for your home. I think people love that they can put on their kitchen table a lazy susan that you cannot get anywhere else…they have the only one in existence because I created that and that alone.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I had a balanced approach to risk management in my federal government career which served me well when I started this business. The biggest advantage I have now is that I have the time to consider the risks more thoroughly compared to the split decision type of risk taking I had to do before.
My biggest risk by far was stepping out into the world to even start this business.
I was scared to death for all the reasons you can imagine. My daughter was a huge inspiration because she took on her own risk of stepping out to sell her beautiful photography. in 2019 I was so impressed with her bravery and determination, I willed myself to jump out there and get started. I most recently took the risk of applying for Artscape, one of the biggest art events on the east coast, I had all the same negative thoughts I try not to have and I know others struggle with…that I’m not good enough. When I got accepted, I was beyond thrilled to be listed as an emerging artist.
Pricing:
- Pricing for art varies with the products. My home decor items range between $10 and $200. My canvas art pieces again vary with a much larger range between $25 or $1200+
Contact Info:
- Website: https://madxpressions.com
- Instagram: https://www.facebook.com/MADXpressions
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MADXpressions
