Interview by Jimon

1-One word to describe Monica Perez?  Intuitive.

2-Where do you currently live and create?  Venice Beach, California.

3-Your first experience with art as a child:  I remember my grade school art teacher rolling his cart into our class with all kinds of amazing materials, paints, brushes, tools etc… He was very eccentric and I thought…he’s lucky to have such a great job. I could barely stay in my seat, I wanted to dive into his magical cart.

4-What book/film/work of art most recently captured your attention and why?  I am currently reading “ninth Street Women”by Mary Gabriel. There were many important women painters participating in the development of abstract expressionism in the US that were disregarded. Their work was not considered because of gender. Many chose to compromise relationships with their partners and children because they wanted/needed to be painting. I’m an artist, mother and wife and it’s challenging to keep the roles in check. This book is about impassioned women who dared to enter the male-dominant world of twentieth century abstract painting, not as muses but as artists.

5-The future is _________.  Unknown, be present.

6-What is your thought on the following statement; Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable!  I am not sure. Do I agree that art can heal, comfort the disturbed? Yes. Should art disrupt ordinary thinking or comfortable habits? Yes.

Personally I don’t seek to disrupt others but rather find I seek to disturb my own internal patterns. The art in turn may ripple out to others who are also navigating a similar frequency or pivoting their attention to that energy. Sometimes the work connects and that is important and moving to me.

7-You have a million dollars to spend on art, you buy…  I’d look at a Twombly or Basquiat.

8-Least favorite part of your day:  When I have to sleep.

9-Did you have any training for art or is it inherent?  I went to school for graphic design and worked as an art director, designer and lastly as a creative director/director. I left the commercial world and turned to paint full time 5 years ago. My work is heavily grounded in design and composition because of my training. Why I chose the path? I went into the commercial program in art school because I was anxious to work and make money, I didn’t come from a wealthy family so it was important for me to be financially independent. I knew I wanted to design and compose.  I did research and found out advertising would be the most lucrative start. I quickly moved towards design and art once I was in the field. I don’t think I was aware of the strategy but it was a natural turn towards honoring what was originally in my heart to begin with.

10-Do you remember the first piece of art that you created?  I’m not sure if it was the first piece of art I made but it was the first time I realized how lost I could get in the process. It was an abstract piece I did in my 12th grade art class, it was a tonal study. I had to mix about 25 or so values of black and paint them according to a mathematical system plotted onto my canvas. It took me all semester to finish it. I wish I still had it.

11-How would you like to be seen as an artist years from now?  I’d like to be seen as a brave, prolific and authentic painter. I’d like to think that my art is healing in a way that is palpable.

12-Do you have a place/person/thing that you visit for inspiration?  My process like with many artists is personal and therapeutic, a mediation. The best inspiration is usually there for me. Poetry, nature, water, trees, looking at and understanding other artists work also inspires me.

13-If you could have dinner with 3 artists living/dead who would be at your table?  Joan Mitchell, Lee Krasner, Louise Nevelson.

14-Name three things you can’t live without in your studio?  Music, rolls of untreated canvas, black gesso.

15-How would someone find you on social media?  Instagram @monicaperezart

16-Anything else you’d like to mention that I didn’t ask?  Painting can be a solitary experience but it teaches me how to be kind to myself while kicking ass.