We recently connected with Isabel Francis Bongue and have shared our conversation below.

Isabel, appreciate you joining us today. We love asking folks what they would do differently if they were starting today – how they would speed up the process, etc. We’d love to hear how you would set everything up if you were to start from step 1 today.

If I were to start over today, knowing what I know now, the biggest lesson I’d carry with me is to take myself more seriously, and criticism less so. Your desires are valid and important, and trusting in your own perceptions is key. If I could go back, I’d emphasize these truths, allowing them to guide my decisions.

I’ve never had anyone who is truly supportive and wants me to succeed give negative feedback- constructive suggestion yes, but always with an understanding that my path is uniquely my own and should be tailored to what truly works for me, and brings me joy.

I think that especially for young women, it’s crucial to learn to identify unsupportive relationships- I wish I’d broken up with my college boyfriend ( and to be honest another partner or two ) much sooner than I did, and I think it held me back a lot. Likewise, I have made the mistake of interpreting diminishing feedback from peers or supervisors that did not have my best interests at heart as well intentioned advice..

Your desires are valid and important, and trusting in your own perceptions is key. If I could go back, I’d emphasize these truths, allowing them to guide my decisions.

Isabel, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Isabel Francis Bongue of Mona Isa Designs, a multidisciplinary artist and designer.

One facet of my work is muralism. I’ve created large-scale murals such as the Glen Echo Bird Tunnel mural, Third Way Cafe, and Mayahuel, which was named the second most impactful piece of public art in Columbus in 2022. My current work blends the human figure with distortion and natural elements to create surreal artworks that delve into themes of nature, ecology, community, and the complexities of belonging and place.

My journey into the world of art and design has been profoundly shaped by my unique upbringing as a Colombian American raised homesteading in Amish country. Growing up, I learned to cook everything from scratch—my mother was determined that I wouldn’t lose connection with my food, believing that many Americans had. This attitude extended to nearly every aspect of our lives; everything was recycled, reused, or fixed at home, and as her oldest daughter, I was expected to be resourceful. This upbringing instilled in me a very practical creativity. The culture shocks of growing up in a South American household surrounded by Amish and evangelical neighbors sparked a lot of questions and deepened my exploration of identity, place, and the connections we build with our environment.

In addition to muralism, I have a strong background in landscape design, custom fabrication, set design, and fine arts, which allows me to approach each project with a diverse skill set and a unique perspective. What sets me apart is my ability to combine technical proficiency with a deep, introspective approach to design. I’m proficient in CAD, Rhino, and SketchUp, as well as several architectural rendering programs, which enables me excel in troubleshooting design processes and finding innovative solutions, ensuring that each project not only meets but exceeds the client’s expectations.

I’m most proud of my ability to create art that resonates with people on a personal level, sparking conversations about identity, place, and belonging. I strive to create work that is meaningful and thought-provoking, inviting viewers to reflect on their own relationships with the world around them.

For potential clients, followers, and fans, I want them to know that my work is driven by a genuine desire to make a positive impact. I believe in the power of beauty—I think it makes the world a more bearable and understandable place.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I almost stopped making art altogether. After I graduated, I didn’t really know how to turn my passion into an actual career, and it felt selfish to even try. So, I joined an AmeriCorps crew, built trails, learned to use a chainsaw, and did manual labor. I worked in a crisis youth shelter and eventually burned out. Around that time, I came out as queer and in my baby queer naivite, was immediatly sexually assaulted. This was followed by the loss of a friend and roomate and a heartrending breakup. I felt completely lost—like I didn’t know who I was anymore and had no sense of identity.

In that difficult period, I began to draw again. I started painting in the street. I felt like a mess and a failure. I was feral and self destructive, but through art, I started forming friendships with people who pushed me to create and to share my work. Slowly, I began to get my life together and shifted my coping mechanisms to creating. In many ways, art became the web that allowed me to knit all the disjointed parts of my life together, creating a whole.

Looking back, I think I became an artist because it gave me the resilience I needed to survive. Art helped me reclaim my identity and gave me the strength to keep moving forward, even when everything else felt like it was falling apart.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

The mission driving my creative journey is rooted in my belief in the power of beauty; I think it makes the world a more bearable and understandable place. I believe that art is a powerful tool for education, community building, and empowering expression. At the same time, I just want to spend my time doing work(and getting paid to work) that I genuinely enjoy and that satisfies my need for complexity, understanding, technique.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.isabelfbongue.com
• Instagram: @la.mona.isa
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isa-francis-bongue/