We recently connected with Monique Edwards and have shared our conversation below.

Monique, appreciate you joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

I took a significant risk by leaving behind a stable and promising career as a realtor in Toronto, as well as stepping away from studying for the MCAT and applying to medical school. These are paths that would have likely guaranteed financial security and a clear professional future. Instead, I made the bold decision to move to New York and pursue a Master of Fine Arts, a path that comes with high financial costs and no guaranteed income. Despite the uncertainty, I chose to follow my passion for art, storytelling, and representation, believing that the pursuit of purpose and creative fulfillment was worth more than the safety of a conventional career.

Monique, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m a Jamaican-Canadian painter and multidisciplinary artist currently based in New York, where I’m pursuing my Master of Fine Arts in Painting at Pratt Institute. My journey into the arts wasn’t a straight line. I originally worked as a realtor in Toronto and was preparing to apply to medical school, driven by a deep curiosity about science and the human body. But ultimately, I realized that my true passion lay in storytelling through visual language especially stories that center the lived experiences of Black women, which are too often marginalized or flattened in mainstream narratives. Leaving behind a more conventional and financially secure path to pursue a life in the arts was a leap of faith, but one rooted in purpose.

My creative practice blends representational oil painting with themes from science, mythology, and Black diasporic histories. I explore how the stories we tell whether religious, scientific, or cultural shape societal structures, and I challenge visual norms by reimagining Black women as powerful, central figures within those stories. My paintings are vibrant, layered, and rich with symbolism, drawing from my Caribbean heritage and deep love for both inquiry and aesthetics. I do not create work that exploits Black pain for commercial gain; instead, I focus on images of dignity, empowerment, and speculative futures.

What sets me apart is the way I merge scientific inquiry, cultural critique, and visual storytelling. I don’t just make “pretty pictures” I create work that asks questions, invites dialogue, and provides counter-narratives to the dominant images we’ve been taught to accept. I’m most proud of staying true to that vision, even when it meant choosing uncertainty over security. If there’s one thing I want people to know about my work, it’s that it’s made with care and intention to affirm, to challenge, and to imagine new possibilities for who we are and who we can become.

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

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the ability to create images and narratives that didn’t exist before especially ones that center Black women in powerful, nuanced, and imaginative ways. Growing up, I rarely saw myself reflected in art in ways that felt true or affirming, so being able to fill that gap and offer representations that challenge harmful stereotypes is deeply meaningful. Art allows me to explore big questions about identity, science, history, and culture.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

One goal that is driving my creative journey is reclaiming time and autonomy. I never wanted a traditional 9 to 5 life where creativity is sidelined or compartmentalized. Pursuing art full-time is my way of living on my own terms doing what I love with intention and heart, even when the path is uncertain or unconventional. It’s not just about making paintings, it’s about building a life that aligns with my values, where passion fuels purpose and where I get to define success for myself.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @moniquekevitaedwards