Just who is Jen Monson?

I love to draw. I have been drawing since I was a little tyke who picked up a crayon and drew on my first wall. Now, as a 40-something woman, I still find new things to work with.

What are my favorite things to work with? That changes all the time. Currently it is watercolors. In fact, I’m trying to find new surfaces to do watercolors on! New things to watercolor paint too.

What are my favorite things to paint? Let’s see. Koi, most definitely. My goal is to become the #1 Koi Artist in Sacramento, then the world! I enjoy painting people’s pets. Painting faces of love is a huge cure for depression! Then there are birds, horses, cats, trees, mountains…

Where do I get my inspiration? From all around me. Nature, animals, people, the oil stain on the blacktop. I tend to paint things that help me feel peaceful. I battle anxiety and depression daily, so those things I surround myself with help give me a safe place. I listen to all kinds of music as I work. Different moods are felt by different songs. Oh, and the color green is so inspiring to me.

What am I excited about right now? I have been working hard at losing weight and building my stamina. I want to have the strength to keep going to conventions! I have been pretty successful do far,

What People Are Saying

“Jen is amazing at capturing our pets so perfectly! We recently had this portrait done for our friends and we gave it to them as an early Christmas present! They love it and it’s hanging in their home. Jen captured Dawg perfectly!”

— Beth Higgins

“I love my four paintings Jen has created of each of my pet babies! I have had my 2 cats and 2 dogs done and she has a definite gift of recreating their unique personality and likeness in each individual painting. I am amazed how she can take a photo and transform it not only into a beloved keepsake, but a beautiful piece of art as well.”

— Robin Duggan

“SO excited by how beautiful this watercolor portrait of Roxi turned out. Jen is an amazing artist, so go check her stuff! Also, I may be an extra dog mom but at least I admit it and embrace it”

— Rachel Alverez