We had the good fortune of connecting with Monica Echeverri and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Monica, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?

It’s crazy to me to even answer this question because I never thought I would start my own business! I’ve been painting for over ten years and have always treasured it as a hobby. I actually didn’t consider selling until a little over a year ago. I was getting my master’s in nutrition during the pandemic and working part-time but I wanted to expand my creative side. So I looked up nearby art fairs and ended up finding a little outdoor urban art market in Ventura County that runs once a month.
It didn’t feel like an ideal time to sell art at all, but it was December of 2020 when I took seven of my oil paintings with me to Ventura and set up my first art booth! That was the first time my paintings were out in the ‘wild’ so it was a little nerve racking to see people walk by and observe. To be honest, it sometimes still is! But every time I go it’s always so nice to meet people who connect with my art, and that’s what really encouraged me to keep growing. I eventually created my own website and started sharing my painting journey a little bit more on Instagram. That’s when things started to pick up for me. I received requests for custom paintings pretty frequently last summer, so I began to take on commissions. At that point I really felt my purpose expand. I was painting landscapes that held a meaningful story for other people and that gave me a sense of fulfillment that I had never felt with painting before. Now I am at a place where I feel so grateful to say that I am almost booked with commissions for the summer and will be working with a local gallery in the Fall for an upcoming exhibit! I am kind of just learning as I go and cannot feel more appreciative of every bit of support I receive along the way.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

I’m a landscape oil painter based in Southern California. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for my parents enrolling me in art classes when I was five years old. That’s where my love for painting started. I worked with pastels, watercolors, and when I made my way up to oils, I learned how to paint my first landscapes. It wasn’t until I finished those art classes seven years later that my dad bought me my first easel so I could paint at home. I remember feeling so excited because for the first time outside of those art classes, I had the freedom to paint any kind of landscape I wanted. I painted a tropical scene over the course of a few months at my grandma’s house in Colombia and it eventually won an award. I just feel like that piece really represents the start of my painting journey and now every time I look at it, I remember her and her enchanting home. I haven’t stopped painting since then. I’d have to say that I am most proud of myself for that – for always making time to paint. As simple as it sounds, the consistency has helped me build my skills and confidence as an artist more than anything else.
While there are so many oil painters in the world, I think what really sets my work apart from others is that it has a lot to do with connecting people back to specific moments in nature. A sunset watched with a loved one, an evening at a favorite beach, a waterfall hike, a proposal spot… these are the moments I love bringing to life for other people. I want viewers to feel like they’re actually there when they look at my work and that’s why I love details so much. Whether a landscape evokes a sense of peace or takes you back to a specific moment in time, I think it deserves to have a place at home. It’s easy to keep pictures on our phones, but there’s just something different about having something tangible and permanent like a painting that feels much more meaningful.
I think the hardest part about turning this into a business is knowing that its success entirely depends on me. That in itself can feel overwhelming at times, but at the end of the day it’s what keeps me going. Painting fuels my soul so much that I try and let the exciting moments outweigh the harder ones. I have never painted this much before, and I am so excited to see what the future holds for my artwork. I can only hope that my story inspires other artists and creatives to just keep creating! If art is something you love doing, keep doing it even if it doesn’t turn into a business. It’s pretty incredible but when you put your heart and soul into something you love, it really starts to take a life of its own.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
A drive up to Solvang. I have never had a better taco in my life than at the Peasant’s Feast. You would never expect to find great tacos in a Danish town, but they are truly one of a kind. Then a drive down to Santa Barbara would be a must. Their Botanical garden is booming with poppies in the spring and it’s absolutely stunning. Also couldn’t miss out on McConnell’s ice cream and some Low Pigeon coffee. Lastly, a drive down to Ventura to walk on Main Street and stop by paradise pantry for a turkey pesto panini. It is to die for!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I could fill this entire page with shoutouts. My dad, for always making me feel like my artwork deserved to be seen (he never failed to hang my best and worst paintings on the walls). My friends, for being the most incredible support system and always encouraging me to do what I love. The teachers from my childhood art classes (Mission Renaissance) who taught me the fundamentals of oil painting. And to all of the other professional artists who inspire me. They are the ones who help me visualize the kind of future I want for my artwork.

Website: https://www.monicaecheverri.com/

Instagram: @monicaecheverri

Image Credits
Monica Echeverri

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSocal is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.