We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Monica Duymich a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Monica, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

I have been able to pursue my dreams of being a full time artist for the past 5 years or so. Being able to do what I love every day and provide for my two children has been the most amazing experience. I will be the first to admit it isn’t always fun and/or easy, but I am determined to be able to live my dream of a creative life and be an example to my kids that your dreams can come true if you are will to work hard and adapt. It took me years of fighting my fears and doubts to finally be ready to put it all on the line and give myself a chance. Thankfully for me, I have continued to grow and learn and adapt with all of that and make a career out of what I love. What I have noticed in the past few years is that you can never become complacent or stop challenging yourself. Everyday I reassess my goals and business (Ikaros Art) to keep moving forward. I also have found how important it is to continue to create for me, because even though I am an artist, it is easy to loose the creative flow and fall into the “this is a job” trap. I will continue to work on passion projects and learn new artist skills to keep the excitement of my creativity alive and thriving. I never want to take my artist life for granted or lose the creative inspiration and passion!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I have been an artist for as long as I can remember… art is a part of me! But at the end of 2019, I finally took the steps to make my art business (Ikaros Art) a full time career. I began by creating small nature oriented paintings on reclaimed wood to sell at local coffee shops, gift shops, and farmers markets. In 2020 I had the opportunity to create a beer label for a brewery in Pittsburgh, Hop Farm Brewing Co. Since then I have been able to create countless beer labels for multiple breweries, design logos for companies, paint murals in clients homes, offices, hotels and restaurants, work along side interior design companies to create original paintings for their client’s remodels and so much more.

I create art with impact! Meaning I create artwork that makes a statement, completes a space, positively impacts the environment. I love to work along side my clients, building a relationship and creating paintings that speak to them, capture who they are or what they are looking to put forth into the world. I work mostly with acrylic paints, but also create digital work with Photoshop and Illustrator. I am also pursuing a way of connecting my artwork to the animal/nature world through conservation efforts and travel. I get most excited when I am challenged creatively, whether that is through a beer label design (which I hand paint), a mural, or a custom original painting for interior design companies. My goal is to make the world a more beautiful place through art with impact and ensure each client is heard, connected to, and ecstatic with the final painting. I offer free consultations so each client can talk through their creative ideas and visions which allows us to create the ideal art with impact!

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is living the life I have always wanted, being the person I was meant to be by painting and creating each day! All the while it allows the space for me to be the mom I want to be for my two amazing kids. I have the chance to make my schedule and plan my work day around what makes sense for me to be as present with my children as I have always wanted. With that it allows focused time with each client and project I have the privilege to work with. I also love the opportunity to create something meaningful for my clients and truly get to know and connect with each person!

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I create art with impact! I have always wanted a way to make my art mean more to the world than just a pretty painting. My goal is to connect my artwork to nature/animal conservation organizations and allow my art to have a larger positive impact on this world. Linking two of my passions to one project.

I also love the fact that I can show my children what persistence and following your dreams and passions can look like. How many times did you hear “you can be whatever you want when you grow up”? I am so grateful to be able to live my dreams for my children to see. They are definitely my driving force in creating this amazing artist life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ikarosart.com
• Instagram: @ikaros_art_pgh
• Facebook: @Ikaros Art

Image Credits

dinosaurs in space can photo- Brian Kaldorf Photography

Painted hands and Monica painting on floor- Jessi Adams Photography