Monique Parker

Painting, for me, is an act of worship that allows me to be a conduit for the unpredictability and magic of creating something from emptiness while exploring the limitless possibilities of color. I find the artistic process to be a deeply personal, intuitive act of mining my interior dimension. Much like Tibetan prayer flags that release holy prayers, my paintings are a way for me to offer blessings to the world. Although I work in a variety of styles and mediums, most of my paintings are bold and colorful expressions of landscapes, people, animals, and the many forms of the Divine. My vision is to inspire those who see my work to experience the innate joy and beauty that surrounds us, and to slow down and reconnect with nature as a reflection of our inner world. My process relies heavily on my intuition and connection to nature and spiritual energy. I am inspired to paint in unexpected and serendipitous ways that allow me to challenge myself to constantly try new techniques. I work primarily in acrylic because it’s synonymous with the Southwest in its unforgiving nature when it comes to drying quickly, the vividness of colors, and its willingness to be manipulated into different textures. My approach is to create diverse layers of energy like the elements that shaped this landscape and its people.

Monique grew up in San Jose, CA, and relocated to Taos, NM in 2003, to dedicate herself to teaching, writing, spiritual studies, and now, art. As a self-taught, late-blooming artist, Monique took an intriguing turn late in her career when she picked up a paintbrush after her yoga therapy studio closed during the Covid pandemic. Monique has an MFA in Creative Writing, a BA in Mass Communications, and advanced teaching certifications in Vedic chanting and yoga therapy. She has worked as a graphic designer, copywriter, editor, massage therapist, marketing communications consultant, professor of English Composition and Creative Writing, yoga educator and therapist, Vedic astrologer, and teacher of Vedic chanting. Her paintings are inspired by her many immersive pilgrimages to India and holy symbolism, as well as living rurally in Northern New Mexico for the past two decades where the rugged landscape and shifting light have deepened her perception and sensitivities. Her paintings have been exhibited in the following exhibitions: 3x-Taos Banner Competition, Art Moziak Santa Fe, Harwood Museum of Art, Taos Center for the Arts, Taos Fall Arts Festival, Questa Studio Arts Tour, Millicent Rogers Annual Miniature Show, San Fernando Valley Arts & Cultural Center, Las Laguna Gallery Laguna Beach, CA, The Studio Door San Diego, CA, KBM Art Gallery Riverside, CA, Tubac Center for the Arts Tubac, AZ, the Taos Abstract Artists Collective, & the Spanish Peaks Arts Council La Veta, CO.

2-D, Writing