My philosophy of art is about the process; how it feels to create and be creative. To me, this is the feeling of FREEDOM. I'm lucky to be doing what I love, and what I am most passionate about.
Hi! My name is Monica Alisa Norris. I am the mother of two charming and curious girls, who are the inspiration behind my studio - MON-ALISA.
One of the legacies I want to teach my daughters is the courage to follow their dreams, and to never lose the sense of wonder and awe that comes with experiencing new things in the world around them. To do this, I too aim to live a passionate and authentic life, doing what I love - expressing myself through my art. If nothing else, I hope to show my girls that being true to themselves will allow them to lead fulfilling lives and grow into strong, independent women!
Painting is a very sensory experience for me. I paint intuitively, without contemplating or planning the outcome. Each painting is a journey created in my studio, which is in the heart of my home.
I love to experiment with different types of materials, and use oil pastels, bleach, coffee, sand, acrylic paint, various textures and collage in my work. My style is expressed in the layering of colour, texture, forms and natural markings, with aspects of the initial layers coming through in the final piece. On close inspection, faces and figures can be perceived in what, at first glance, looks like an aerial view.
I mainly use a palette of soft earthy tones, which are deeply rooted in my personal experiences and surroundings and infuse my art with a sense of warmth and comfort.