Today we’d like to introduce you to Monica Deatherage.
Hi Monica, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve loved painting since I was a little kid and dreamed of being a professional artist when I grew up. As a young adult I worked a lot of different jobs from waitressing to cookie decorating, trying all the while to get work as an artist. I sold prints in the restaurant I worked in, painted signs for the florist shop where I delivered flowers, sent illustrations off to dozens of book publishers, hoping for the break that would launch my career in the arts. That big break did not happen!
While working as a secretary, my oldest sister told me she knew someone looking for an artist to paint windows for the holidays. I took on the job, painting in the evenings after tucking my baby daughter in. The windows were huge, and I was exhausted and covered in paint! And I was so happy! I found myself consumed with the idea of painting murals. I spent the next year in agony deciding whether or not to quit my stable, good-paying job as a secretary to become a full-time painter. It felt like a childish dream, but I couldn’t stop thinking about it! Eventually I decided to take the plunge and started my mural painting business, Brushworks LLC. At the time I had painted a few windows and one mural in my daughter’s bedroom, but I had to give it a shot! I am now in my fifth year of business, and while it has been a rollercoaster, I couldn’t be happier with my decision!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
From the day I decided to plunge into the life of a self-employed artist until now, it has been a rollercoaster! The highs are high, and the lows very low! It I’ve often felt like I have no idea what I’m doing, but I just keep trying! I spent a good deal of time painting the windows and walls in my own house to practice and build my portfolio. Slowly I was able to find more and more work. One nice thing about painting murals and windows in public is that my customers often find me!
I’ve had failures that left me crying in my van in parking lots. and victories that have me jumping with excitement!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My work consists primarily of painting murals and windows. Landscapes, wildlife, and people are my favorite things to paint! All of God’s creation is my inspiration! I consider my style to be “whimsical realism.” I paint realistic scenes, but I like to exaggerate color and light. My favorite murals are landscapes teeming with native animals, plants and insects. I love art that is both beautiful and educational, so painting scenes, plants and animals that are native to an area is important to me. One of my favorite murals is on a sidewalk in downtown Coos Bay. The mural is a river that winds along the sidewalk, illustrating the lifecycle of Salmon with a plethora of plants and insects native to the Oregon Coast. Kids love it! They can hop along the river rocks learning about the wildlife where they live! While I did the design and painting, the mural concept was thought up by Alexa Carleton at Coos Watershed. She always helps me out with her knowledge of local wildlife!
Another of my favorites is part of Healthy Klamath’s Wing Walk. The wings I painted are made up entirely of wildflowers native to the Klamath Basin. It’s bright, beautiful, and educational!
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
This seems to be a good time to be a muralist! In Coos Bay this spring and summer there have been murals being painted all over town! Despite the economy not thriving, people are still investing in art.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.brushworksllc.com/
- Instagram: brushworks_llc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1FK1sLotDH/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Youtube: @Brushworks-LLC
