We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Monserratte Hidalgo. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Monserratte below.

Alright, Monserratte thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

As an artist, my journey began during my middle school years at Southwood Middle School, where I was part of the magnet fine arts program. My mom recognized my passion for art early on and encouraged me to audition for the program. During the audition, I was given a few drawing tasks that helped determine my acceptance into the program, and I made it in. Those three years were pivotal for me. I explored a variety of mediums and techniques, including charcoal, still-life, portraiture, acrylic paints, oil pastels, colored pencils, shading, and drapery. Feedback played a key role in our learning process, as my classmates and I shared critiques to help each other improve.

In high school, I attended Palmetto Senior High School and took regular art electives. My teacher noticed my potential and kept advancing me to higher-level art classes. This was where I saw significant progress in my work. I experimented with various projects, some turning out better than others. I particularly excelled in stippling, acrylics, and charcoal, but I struggled with face portraits for a long time.

After graduating, I continued creating art on my own. During this period, I started receiving requests for customized paintings from peers who had noticed my work. I vividly remember a friend asking me to create a painting of the late rapper Juice WRLD. That piece was a turning point for me—it was the first time I successfully executed a face portrait, and it turned out amazing. From that moment, my portrait skills improved dramatically.

Looking back, I don’t think there’s much I could have done to speed up my learning process. Great things take time and patience, and rushing the journey often doesn’t lead to the best results. However, if I could change one thing, it would be dedicating more time to my art. I believe focusing more on my projects early on could have accelerated my growth.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Monserratte Hidalgo, but most people know me as Monseh – or “Monseh the Creator.” I was born and raised in South Miami, Florida, where my passion for art began at a young age. My early drawings caught the attention of my teachers, who encouraged me to develop my talent further. This support led me to the magnet art program at Southwood Middle School, where I honed my skills and discovered my love for fine art. I continued pursuing art through high school, where I gained recognition for designing senior crowns, creating custom sneakers, and working on commissioned pieces.

One of the most pivotal moments in my journey came when I attended the Rolling Loud festival in Miami. The art installations and vibrant atmosphere of the festival inspired me to merge my love for music with my creativity. That experience led me to create unique, brightly colored portraits of my favorite rappers. This combination of art and music became my niche and has been a driving force in my work ever since.

Currently, I create in multiple forms, including murals, tattoo designs, and custom paintings. I’m also in the process of launching a clothing brand inspired by rappers and concert culture. Each piece I create is infused with emotion and personality, whether it’s a mural for a business, a custom tattoo design, or clothing that tells a story. I aim to solve the need for creative, meaningful, and personalized art that resonates with people on a deeper level.

What sets me apart is the authenticity and passion I bring to everything I do. My work isn’t just about art; it’s about connection. Whether it’s through a mural that transforms a space, a tattoo design that holds personal significance, or a clothing piece that sparks excitement, my goal is to create work that speaks to people and brings their vision to life.

One of my proudest achievements has been taking the leap to pursue art full-time. It hasn’t been easy, but seeing the impact my work has on others keeps me going. I’m especially proud of the support I’ve received from the Miami community, which has played a huge role in my journey.

For anyone following my work, I want them to know that everything I create is inspired by the world around me—music, pop culture, and the people I meet. My goal is to keep growing, collaborating, and reaching new heights, whether through murals, tattoos, or fashion. Art is my passion, and I’m excited to keep sharing it with the world.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Absolutely, my creative journey is fueled by several key goals. One of my biggest ambitions is to work with Rolling Loud. The festival played a huge role in helping me discover my true passion for my art. Back in middle and high school, my art projects often focused on traditional subjects like plants or still-lifes. While they helped me develop technical skills, they didn’t excite me creatively. I’ve always been deeply connected to rap music—it’s what I listen to mostly while I create. Attending Rolling Loud was a transformative experience for me. I was captivated by everything: the energy of the rappers, the vibrant scenery, and even the architecture. It was that environment that inspired me to start painting portraits of my favorite rappers, which became my creative niche.

Another major goal of mine is to launch my own clothing brand that combines my artwork with inspiration from rappers and the culture of concert-goers. I envision creating a line of wearable art that resonates with fans of music and streetwear, reflecting the raw energy and excitement of live shows. This is my ultimate dream and a driving force behind everything I create. I’m working hard to refine my craft, connect with my audience, and build a brand that feels authentic and impactful. My hope is that this brand will not only showcase my art but also create a deeper connection with people who share my love for music, art, and individuality.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

A lesson I had to unlearn was depending too much on my resources and connections. For a long time, I believed that knowing the right people or having acquaintances in the right spaces would help me get to where I wanted to be. I knew several people who worked for Rolling Loud and assumed that reaching out to them would help me connect with the individuals I needed to talk to in order to work with the festival.

However, I quickly realized that I wasn’t getting responses or the help I expected. It became clear that I couldn’t rely on others to create opportunities for me. Instead, I had to take matters into my own hands. I had to figure out a way to grab the founders’ attention in my own unique way. That’s when I decided to create a beautiful, personalized art piece for the founders of Rolling Loud, showcasing my skills and passion.

This experience taught me an invaluable lesson: if you truly want something in life, you have to go after it yourself. You can’t depend on others to advocate for you, because they might not have the time, the interest, or the ability to help. Ultimately, your success depends on your own efforts, creativity, and determination.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.monsehthecreator.com
• Instagram: @monsehthecreator
• Youtube: Monsehthecreator