"With most of my normal activities extremely limited, I had to find new ways to enjoy being in quarantine"

Finding my way back to art

The pandemic shut down many things — stores, restaurants, movies and so many more of life’s little distractions.  It turns out all of those distractions were holding me back from a longtime love I’d neglected for far too long.

With most of my normal activities extremely limited, I had to find new ways to enjoy being in quarantine, which led me to begin ordering art supplies online so I could do a few basic creative projects at home. Back in the fall of 2019 I took a few pottery classes at Art Works Now, a local community art studio.  With the extra time that the pandemic afforded me, I decided to build on those experiences and signed up for the newly offered virtual classes at Art Works Now. Fully enjoying the small art community experience, I took other classes that further rekindled my interest in art.

Artwork by Monica Lyles. From left to right: "Flow with it", "I'm not alone", "Ripped Rainbows"

Of all the classes I took during my pre-collegiate education, classes that focused on art were my favorite. Back then my dream job was to be an artist, but concerns about the financial viability of that career path led me to a more stable, less creatively challenging option. Nevertheless, the pull of art persisted and I considered taking interior design classes or graphic art design courses, but quickly got discouraged with the long-term financial commitment of pursuing classes while working full-time.

Although I wasn’t creating art any longer, I still appreciated it and regularly went to museums to see the latest exhibits. I was excited about seeing up close the color combinations, techniques and details in each design. Seeing Van Gogh’s famous pictures in the National Gallery of Art Museum and the recent President Obama (Kehinde Wiley) and First Lady Michelle Obama (Amy Sherald) art exhibits were definitely a highlight for me. Needless to say, I could never fully get rid of my desire to absorb and/or create art, and would therefore frequently go to shops where I could paint pre-designed pottery pieces, and I'd also take small workshops at shops like Color Me Mine and Amazing Glaze to create mosaic tables.

"I like that art can be interpreted different ways because everyone sees beauty in their own way. There have been times when I have created a piece and someone will see water or something totally different than I intended."

Taking the Collage Creations, Sketch to Paint and Acrylic Landscape classes at Art Works Now since May 2020 has helped remind me what I enjoy so much about the artistic creative process. My favorite style is abstract designs, since I can create a piece and it can be interpreted many ways. Abstract art is defined as “art that does not attempt to represent external reality, but seeks to achieve its effect using shapes, forms, colors and textures.” I like that art can be interpreted different ways because everyone sees beauty in their own way. There have been times when I have created a piece and someone will see water or something totally different than I intended. I’ve begun exploring making art of actual things like landscapes, flowers or the ocean, but I really prefer the freedom of creating a design that can be interpreted by the viewer. When I create objects or scenes it is often very limiting to me so I tend to make more abstract art designs.

My materials and process

I’ve picked up numerous tips and tricks through experimentation and by communicating with experienced artists on Instagram about their favorite materials and even paint brands. Generally, I paint with acrylic paint and use various metallic pens for precision details. I usually use canvas paper or canvas boards to create the paintings (ranging in size of 10x10 to 16x20), but I have a commissioned art piece that I will create on a very large canvas (36x40). I enjoy painting with metallic paints because it gives a nice shine when you display them with the right lighting. One of the bigger challenges I’m working on now is experimenting with the various thicknesses of paints to see how they layer differently from one another.

While it is not part of my regular routine to listen to music when I paint, I have discovered that ocassionally it helps me express different ideas. For example when I created “I’m not Alone,” I was listening to Inspirational Praise music and when I created the "Calming Sun and Waves" collage, I was listening to Classical music.

"There is a scripture that talks about burying your talent (Matthew 25:14-30) and in the past I’ve always been afraid that I was doing that in some way by not using my passion and love of art creatively."

Music or not, I generally either sketch my idea before I start painting or sometimes I just create as I go along based on how the design is taking shape as I'm doing it. Often times I have color schemes in mind that I want to try out and will make a design based on those envisioned color combinations. I enjoy being intentional about how I’m placing different color combinations in my creations while I'm taking something from my heart and transferring it to the canvas. There’s something so relaxing in creating something from my heart, and it’s been very encouraging to hear people describe my art as peaceful, calming or vibrant.

"Calming Sun and Waves" by Monica Lyles.

My ultimate goal is to use the gift God has given me. There is a scripture that talks about burying your talent (Matthew 25:14-30) and in the past I’ve always been afraid that I was doing that in some way by not using my passion and love of art creatively.

A few months ago, I took the big step of sharing my artwork on Instagram (@greatdailycreativity). I’m new to sharing on social media and it’s been fun showing my art to people who don’t have a bias of being family and friends. Eventually, I began sharing my work on Facebook and was encouraged by requests from friends asking if I was planning on selling my art. The encouragement and affirmations has been an important part of my desire to continue to keep pursuing my creativity through art designs.

As an additional way to share my art, I’ve created a website — http://Monicacreatesdaily.com. My goal is to share my art as my way of sharing my gift from God with others. I’ve even already started to get requests for prints and commissioned art work, which is very exciting.

"I mainly used crayons and markers to draw and doodle. As I grew, I began using pencils then sharpies. "

In the Beginning There Was Bob and Sharpies

- What it means to me to be an artist & why a create -

Being an artist to me is being a conversationalist without using your mouth to converse. It is a means of standing up for rights deserved, expressing a certain way of thinking, or explaining a lifestyle all through details within a piece of art. An artist can be likened to an author, except in artwork, a story or stories aren't woven together with pages that must be flipped through. Yet, the artwork is a novel within itself.

I was highly motivated as a child to create, because I found artwork to be a great spokesman for me. It has always been one of the best ways for me to explain something that words couldn't exactly describe. So many emotions and messages can be brought to the attention of those creating and enjoying art and I love the feeling that comes with being a part of that.

- How I got started drawing -

I started by being mentored/influenced by Robert Norman Ross who hosted "The Joy of Painting" as Bob Ross on the "Public Broadcasting Service". That show has been played repeatedly on my television both as a child and even now, and it felt like he was talking directly to me through his painting tutorials. As a child, I mainly used crayons and markers to draw and doodle. As I grew, I began using pencils then sharpies. It would be nice to say that a light bulb went off over my head giving me the thought of using sharpies, but I can't. I had a strong urge to create something on paper and all I had to use, besides pens and pencils were sharpies. It's what was around and readily available. I practiced and practiced, and with each piece, I grew to be more and more fond of the work.

Material Things Can Make You Happy

- The sharpies that I use -

I use many different tip widths including:

• "Sharpie Ultra fine": (0.2 mm)
• "Extra Fine": (0.4 mm)
• "Fine": (1 mm)
• "Chisel Tip": (53 mm)

In addition, I use 25+ color variations, but it's important to note that not all tips have all colors. All of the sharpies are quick drying and permanent on most surfaces, however.

- The drawing surfaces -

I primarily use big, medium, and small “Canson: 1557 Drawing Artist Series” on which to work out my art. This is acid free, medium tooth and suitable for final drawings.

Preach What You Practice

- The techniques I use -

My process involves first drawing my image with a pencil on my surface of choice. The primary focus at that point is to 'act' instead of overthinking. If my hands don't adequately produce the vision that I've created mentally, I can just erase any errors that occur - large or small. After getting everything down to my liking, I go over it with the different sharpies. It can be time consuming, but it’s a labor love so a rarely realize the time that has passed.

 "Music is certainly a motivator in art. It gives a jolt to create, but mostly, my art is simply heart felt and spiritually motivated."

- How I keep my skills sharp -

Besides watching YouTube for inspiration from artists I like or happen to find, I constantly stay in the motion of drawing. So, I'm either mentally working through concepts, visually reviewing inspirations, or physically implementing ideas. No matter how dull it may sound or appear, practice does make perfect.

How Great Thou *Art*

- How I get in the mode to create -

Music is certainly a motivator in art. It gives a jolt to create, but mostly, my art is simply heart felt and spiritually motivated. Early on, my pieces were more focused on cartoons and abstract works with hidden meanings. As I've matured, my work is now mainly religious, directed by the Spirit. I hope to do art pleasing to the sight of God and allow the Lord to acknowledge His message within it.  Here and there, I still do a few cartoon drawings or abstract pieces.

- The Blueprint: Examples of how I express thoughts in my art -

One piece that I named "2 Lips", has three separate tulips grown from one sprout. The two tulips on the outer sides are all white from the green leaves, and the top of the tulip in the middle is partially red, dripping to the rest of the plant. The red signifies the blood of Jesus the Christ received by the one, while being spread to the others. The middle tulip being the tallest also represents how God insures growth. The green leaves show how God remains within them, as His Creation, never diverting from His plan and direction, unlike man. Also, the use of tulips is meant to signify that you only need two lips to stand and grow through any good or bad weather. Through any past actions, redemption is still attainable.

"You never know which piece will be the one that touches someone and saves a life... or the world."

Another piece, "Blessings Run Over", shows how God’s blessings overflow. The whole piece is decorated in 4 separate colors - black, white, a bit of purple, and as Sharpie has named it, "brilliant blue". It includes three cups, to signify the Trinity. The upper right is set with clouds, colored black, white, and brilliant blue separately and outlined in black. Through the right corner of the canvas, an arm and hand is down pouring “Holy Water” in a jug type container. The arm, God’s arm, is likened to the clouds but not outlined in black. This was done to show how nothing binds God or has Him between the lines. One cup is filled by God which overflows to the other cups, as well as the whole table. Different patterns and colors fill the cups and table to represent God’s Blessings being an overflow. Only the Holy Water poured from God is colored purple to share similarity to Jesus the Christ’s robe during His Crucifixion.

Reaching Others

Farmville Community Arts Council Marquee honoring Author Michael Horne as Artist of the Month in 2018

- Where my art has been displayed/sold -

I have displayed and sold my art pieces at Farmville Community Arts Council located in Farmville NC, which I’m also a proud member of. In addition, I've had pieces in "The Emerge Gallery", and "Art Center", both also in Farmville, NC. I also displayed and sold art pieces in the "Charles County Art Fest", located in La Plata, MD.

- Advice I have for others interested in this form of art -

My best advice is to not hesitate but instead immediately begin creating once you decide it's something you want to do. Don't worry about mistakes or learning the perfect technique in the beginning, because the whole point of revising, checking over, and having rough drafts is for you to perfect the piece along the way. Just start. You never know which piece will be the one that touches someone and  saves a life... or the world.

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