How were you introduced to art?
To me art is a way of life. All of us hone our early beautifully messy creations with skill over time, but some of us choose to stop. That’s why if you ask an adult to draw something, you quickly find out right where they left off—sometimes it’s a 6th grade doodle, and others improve their detail, shading, composition their whole lives. Introductions to art feel like they happen every day, I’m always learning new tools, and techniques. But those skills are just a vocabulary; I believe everyone at every level has something unique and interesting to say. Although for me art and design has always been a way to return to the present moment. I started designing more seriously when I realized that the flow state and sense of inner peace it gifted me was exactly what I had always sought.
Who/ what inspired you to start creating?
My artistic inspiration often comes from that mysterious unknown when sitting silently after reading inspiring words of others. For instance, Alan Watts once said, “This is the real secret of life — to be completely engaged with what you are doing in the here and now. And instead of calling it work, realize it is play.” I close my eyes and ideas and images suddenly start popping into my mind. I take mental photographs of words and situations that I want to remember, and then make pieces about them. I often make them in order to bring to reality ideas and thoughts that sometimes only exist in my mind, in an attempt to merge those two worlds and find myself in a place that actually makes sense.
Who/ what are you currently inspired by?
I love the geometry and colors of Yayoi Kusama, and the bold graphic design of Paula Scher. I also draw so much inspiration from writings. My favorites are Alan Watts, Carl Jung, Aldous Huxley, Kahlil Gibran, Ram Dass, Joseph Campbell, George Orwell, and Osho. Their words have always helped me feel that a certain emptiness that always lingers is actually a beautiful space, and that it doesn’t need to be filled with anything but passing thoughts.
Any advice for aspiring artists?
Don’t conform to what the “trends” are even if people are telling you that is what is best for your career. Try your best not to compare yourself to others. I think it’s really helpful to have people to look up to, either because of their artistic style or life choices, but don’t let their successes make you feel any less than what you are. Just keep going, keep doing what you love, and always remember why you started creating in the first place. And never forget that your insecurities and never ending imposter syndrome will serve you, keep you humble and continue to push you to pursue what you love.
When you’re not creating, what are you up to?
I’m your consummate home body and not ashamed to admit I love the peace and coziness of a quiet environment and spending hours in nature. You can generally find me sitting in my studio chair, lost in the world of Procreate, Illustrator and Photoshop. I love being really present with my girls, who are often part of the scenery even while I’m making things. Showing them the importance in pursuing what I love is something I value deeply. I am also Art Director for the Alan Watts Organization, which is the ultimate privilege and dream come true for me. Most of my day is spent creating in one form or another, and there isn’t time for much else (which is how I like it), but I always make time to take nice long walks and sit in piazzas to watch people.
What inspired you to start this collection?
I’ve painted plants and flowers forever. I love revisiting this natural territory because, like the plants themselves, the art seems to transform and evolve over time. I hope to encourage people to surround themselves with nature as a way of healing, the art is a reminder to embrace the natural world.
"I'd like Ciao Zen to be a reminder that maybe the magic isn't in the big moments that we anticipate as life changing, but is actually the small things- in the acts that we least expect have the ability to change us."
Photos by Monica Bond
Check out more of Monica's work here
Shop the collection here
