Today we’d like to introduce you to Monica Lyles
Hi Monica, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I remember loving art as far back as elementary school. I loved drawing, and this love of art was recognized by my parents. I had an opportunity to enroll in an art summer course where I learned a different art medium each day. I couldn’t have been older than 12 but I still remember the excitement from that summer. I continued to enjoy art, in high school I began having fun exploring photography. An art teacher at my high school introduced developing my black and white film in the dark room and I found that so interesting to use the camera to capture beautiful things.
Although I loved art, I didn’t pursue it in college and completed my Bachelor of Science degree at Hampton University. After college I moved to the DMV area, worked for a number of years for various contractors and got married. Over the years I still loved art but found it challenging to find a way to take affordable art related courses and work full time. Through my searching for classes, I took a pottery class after work at Art Works Now, a community art center. I enjoyed learning pottery and continued to watch the adult courses offered at the community art center. In 2020 when the pandemic started, I noticed they were offering a midday adult online collage class. I loved having a chance to connect with other creatives online and it sparked my interest to try other art forms including classes offered like landscape painting and other online evening courses. The art classes helped to keep me focused on art instead of the stress/uncertainty of the pandemic.
I showed several family members and friends my art and some were interested in purchasing my art. In 2021, I was given the opportunity to sell my artwork at the 10th anniversary of the local art center where I took classes. I started my art business in July 2021 and have enjoyed the ability to create daily like my business name, Monica Creates Daily.
Some of my favorite things about my art is having the ability to share it with others through pop-up events, art festivals and galleries around the area. I get excited to hear comments on the colors I put in my art. I love hearing ladies share how much they love my hand painted earrings, and how their “wearable art” were noticed by their colleagues or that someone has mailed my art designed greeting card to their loved one. It makes me so happy that I have a chance to share my art and that the gift God has given me can be enjoyed by others.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It wasn’t a smooth road, mainly because I definitely didn’t take a direct pathway to following my dream of being an artist. There have been a few struggles along the way including family health concerns and a recent 25-year career ending due to budget cuts. But all of these life changes have helped me to be grateful for having a chance to fully pursue my passion for art today. I’m also thankful that I’ve had a very supportive husband, family and friends throughout my art journey.
My current struggle is learning how to manage my schedule with my new art business and make sure I turn many of my ideas into projects that will positively affect my business. My goal is to continue to attend events that I enjoy, like art gallery shows around the area and weekend events like the Gateway Farmers market where communities can have access to local farmer produce and enjoy local small businesses. I believe my goals are being realized each day that I bring more beauty into the world through each of my painting creations.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I create art as a way of sharing God’s gift with others and a way to bring joy to them through artwork. I specialize in collage and fluid art. I really love bringing vibrant color combinations together in an abstract form. Creating abstract art is exciting for me because each person can see their own beauty in the design. Abstract art causes you to use your imagination. I may see a peacock feather and another person may see something totally different.
I’m most proud of taking a leap of faith – I tend to be very practical; I like structure and plans. But my creativity is the opposite of structure. For me, creating art is freeing and without rules. When I make art, I want people to feel joy and the freedom I have when I am creating.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I love the diversity of the city. Being a native of NC when I grew up, I didn’t see a lot of diversity. The town I grew up was very much divided into sections. I love that in this area there are several nationalities and races – the DMV area is a melting pot.
I’m a foodie and have slowly been trying to learn how to make some of my favorite dishes from NC. I’ve found a lot of great restaurants in the DMV area. However, I’ve yet to find a really good chopped barbecue place, so that would be the thing I like the least about this area.
Pricing:
- Hand painted earrings 25.00
- Drink Coasters 9.00
- Coffee Mugs 20.00
- Greeting Cards 9.00
- Art Originals/Prints starting at 35.00 and up
Contact Info:
- Website: https://MonicaCreatesDaily.com
- Instagram: @MonicaCreatesDaily247
Image Credits
Monica Lyles (personal photos)
