Address: Chicago, IL

E-mail: Art_MjB@yahoo.com

BFA, Otis College of Art and Design

Monica J. Brown received a B.F.A. from Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles. Her artwork has been displayed at the National Black Arts Festival (Atlanta) and the Indianapolis Art Center. She has exhibited widely throughout Chicago, including the Hubbard Street Mural Project, the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago State University, the University of Illinois at Chicago, and the Hyde Park Art Center.

Much of my artwork is inspired by the beauty and mystery of nature. The "Creation" paintings contain one of the recurring symbols in my artwork: the spiral. It represents growth and transition as in nature’s seasons and cycles of rebirth: the phases of the moon, the rising and setting of the sun, the year rings on a tree – the infinite cycle of creation.

The "tree" literally embodies this cyclic nature of life as it transitions through the seasons: naked, budding, clothed in summer leaves, or in autumn’s royal raiment. Walking among the trees in autumn and collecting leaves is a beautiful inspiration. These leaves add color, texture, and dimension to the mixed-media "Spiral Tree" paintings. The “Naked Tree” series is a celebration of the organic abstraction and asymmetry of limbs, branches, roots and veins.

One color that seems to bring itself to all of my paintings is a bright red/orange. This color has always stood out for me. There is something soothing, yet stimulating about it. Maple leaves in autumn wear this color. It is the color that can be seen while looking at the sun with your eyes closed. It brings to mind warmth and protection, the vibe of the womb. It is a blend of the first and second chakras. I have learned that my eyes need to see this color in order to keep me spiritually balanced, grounded, and creatively and aesthetically inspired.

2008
Her Mark 2009, publication and exhibition, Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, IL
Black Creativity, Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, IL

2007
Venus Envy, Bucktown Center for the Arts, Davenport, IA
The Cycle and the Search, solo exhibition, Visiting Artists Series, African-American Cultural Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, IL

2006
Falling Leaves, Presidents’ Gallery, Chicago State University, Chicago, IL
From There to Here, Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, IL
Spiritual and Cultural Arts Connection's Black History Month Exhibit, Reher Gallery, Moline, IL

2005
Chicago Artists Month: Hubbard Street Mural Project, Feather Building, Chicago, IL
Women of the African Diaspora, Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, IL
Paper Cuts, Acme Art Works, Chicago, IL
Soul of a Woman, South Shore Cultural Center, Chicago, IL
Hot Images for Cold Times, Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago, IL

2004
Spiritual & Cultural Arts Connection Exhibit, Reher Art Gallery, Moline, IL
The Hormone Show, Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery, Grand Marais, MN
Hubbard Street Mural Project, Hubbard/Racine, Chicago, IL

2003
Hubbard Street Mural Project, Hubbard/Racine, Chicago, IL
Around the Coyote, Acme Art Works, Chicago, IL
Making our Mark, Christopher Gallery, Prairie State College, Chicago Heights, IL

2002
Wish You Were Here, Wood Street Gallery, Chicago, IL
Black Creativitiy 2002, Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, IL

2000
Uptown Multi-Cultural Art Center Exhibition, ARC Gallery, Chicago, IL
Woman Made Members' Exhibition, Gourmand Gallery, Chicago, IL

1998
Potluck, Hyde Park Art Center, Chicago, IL
Black Creativity 1998, Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, IL
The Way of the Goddess, Indianapolis Art Center, Indianapolis, IN

1997
Xposzur '97, Makaar Studios, Chicago, IL

1996
Halcyone Productions: Women's History Month Celebration, Chicago Historical Society, Chicago, IL

1995
Emerging Artists II, M. Hanks Gallery, Santa Monica, CA

1994
Freedom Rag, magazine, Cover art, Fall Edition
Tree of Life, Second Presbyterian Church, Chicago, IL
African-American Arts Exhibition, Norris University Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
Feminine Visions: Black Women's Perspectives, Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, IL
A Celebration of Poetry, Art and Music, Serengeti Cafe, Chicago, IL

1993
Without a Vision, Triple B Productions, Backdrop design, Kewanee, IL

1992
Black Artists Expo, Los Angeles, CA