While following a science path for college and career that led her to many fascinating experiences, Monica Hokeilen (pronounced HOE-ki’len) found herself pursuing art at every opportunity and eventually shifted her focus completely. She is mostly self-taught as an artist, enjoying the opportunity to study with other artists when possible, and has exhibited her artwork for over 10 years in festivals, group shows, and now as a member of SYNC Gallery in Denver’s Santa Fe Arts District. She also has experience curating exhibits with the Del Ray Artisans in Virginia, teaching art classes with Denver Art Days in Colorado, mentoring young artists, and volunteering with artist organizations, including the Women’s Caucus for the Arts in Colorado. She lives in Aurora, Colorado with her family where she creates contemporary paintings in oil on canvas in a variety of subjects that reflects who she is and the path she has walked in life, with a current focus on wildlife of the western United States. Her art can be seen at SYNC Gallery in Denver’s Santa Fe Arts District, at the Falcon Review Gallery inside 32nd Ave Books, Toys, and Gifts in the Highlands Square neighborhood of Denver, at various group exhibits throughout the year, and in homes around the world.
Artist Statement
I believe that the beauty and hope in this world outweighs the despair and hate, and that I can share this optimism through my art. I feel passionately about climate change and related issues, and my art provides an avenue to start conversations about these topics in ways that we can hopefully connect. Through my oil on canvas paintings of landscapes and wildlife of the western United States where I live, and of places in the world where I have traveled, I seek to reflect the world beyond our daily lives and to open the viewer to a broader scope of life on Earth. And, occasionally, to think about all that exists in our solar system beyond the rocky shores of our own planet.
My artwork can be divided into three collections: DOWN TO EARTH includes my landscapes and wildlife paintings, MOMENTS OF STILLNESS contains my still life paintings, and WHAT LIES BEYOND holds my Mars landscapes (aka MarsScapes), Mercury landscapes, and other space-related paintings.
Catch up on the latest news about me and my art
Check out my “News” page to read blog posts about my artistic experiences and sources of inspiration, and to see where I’ve been exhibiting this year. Or sign up for my newsletter below.
Contact Monica Hokeilen
I’d love to hear from you! Contact me via the link above or join me on facebook and instagram (@HokeilenArt) for more information about what I am currently working on, where I am exhibiting, and to inquire about purchasing my artwork.
