About Monica’s Journey As A Fine Artist.

Monica's art can be described as emotional realism. Inspiration for her work comes from her beloved coastal town of Wilmington, NC, the majesty of Western North Carolina mountains, and her life experiences. Her pieces are intricate, and her watercolors are extraordinarily detailed, evoking emotion that feels both intimate and expansive.

Born into a large farming family of third-generation Wilmingtonians, In 1982, Monica’s parents started Five Oaks Nursery, planting the seeds of her horticultural passion. Monica's middle school teacher was the first to notice her talent. However, art took a backseat to other hobbies, like softball, which led her to meet her husband. Monica graduated Summa Cum Laude in Business Management and was driven to be successful in business. Through the purchase of Five Oaks Nursery from her parents in 2005, Monica was able to combine her creative talents and her love of farming with her business knowledge, which cultivated a successful career in horticulture and landscape design, continuing the legacy of her family.

It wasn’t until 2018, after Monica’s husband received a cancer diagnosis and sold the nursery, that Monica made a poignant return to her artistic roots. Art, which remained on the back burner most of her life, became her therapy, a painted language beyond words, capturing the emotion she sometimes struggles to convey with words. Some projects stand as testimonies of her emotional journey - 'Transitioning Through the Pane' emerged amidst the shadows of the pandemic and her struggle with the impending loss of her husband to colon cancer.  'Resilience,' another significant piece, embodies her search for strength and healing, signaling a renewed focus and determination toward the future. 'Papa Bear at Rest' began with the simple intention to create art for the family’s cabin in Bryson City, but soon intertwined with the sorrow of her father's passing.

Monica’s artistic process, entirely self-taught, blossomed organically from her experiences and emotions. Monica remains humbly connected to her roots, finding joy in gardening, boating, and hiking—activities that mirror the vast serenity and natural beauty she captures through her art. Monica's work speaks volumes, touching those who encounter it with its authenticity, depth, and feeling. Monica's art serves as a window to a world where personal experiences blend with the colorful spirit of nature. She aspires to create a narrative within her pieces that resonates in the hearts of those who see her art.