I’m a Colorado-based artist, and my work lives where storytelling, identity, and technique meet. Through painting and drawing, I mix modern art and abstraction with everyday themes to capture emotion and narrative. I lean into bold color, expressive marks, and layered textures to create pieces that feel alive and in motion.

Most of my inspiration comes from daily life, personal experiences, and the shifting nature of identity. Memory and transformation show up again and again in my work. Sometimes directly, sometimes hidden in the layers. I want each piece to hold space for both my story and the viewer’s, opening up room for connection, reflection, and discovery.

Mónica Maldonado is currently based in Colorado but was born in Panorama City, California. With a strong background in both music and visual arts, they approach creativity through an interdisciplinary lens that blends teaching, studio practice, and community engagement. After completing a Bachelor of Music in Music Education in 2014, Mónica returned to their childhood passion for painting and later earned a certificate in painting and drawing in 2021.

Their path as an artist has also been shaped by a lifelong practice of taekwondo, which instilled discipline, perseverance, and a growth mindset that continues to influence their approach to art and life. Over the past fifteen years, Mónica has taught art and music in schools, led workshops, taught martial arts, and developed online courses that make creativity more accessible. Their work has been shown in community exhibitions throughout Colorado, and they remain dedicated to creating spaces that celebrate identity, expression, and transformation.