Monique Carr, a French-Canadian visual artist, creates captivating seascapes and landscapes with a palate of brilliant turquoise, soft-white clouds and splashes of lush greenery. Each painting brings the viewer beyond the horizon, removes boundaries, and transports them to the sub-tropical verdant environment of Florida’s Treasure Coast.
Carr recently opened the Monique Carr Fine Art & Atelier, a new gallery and studio on 14th Avenue in the Downtown Vero Beach Art District, where her art can be viewed during each First Friday Art Stroll where she will personally greet patrons, as well as during weekdays when the gallery is open.
Carr’s work is a superb blend of abstract and impressionistic art which she labels Turneresque, a positive nod to 18th century British artist J.M.W. Turner, whose style of paintings were a kaleidoscope of colors and who continues to influence modern artists. Indeed, Romanticism is evident in the colorful emotions Carr expresses in her paintings.
Carr says the fertile seed of art was planted within her when she was just a schoolgirl, and her mother recognized her daughter’s talent.
“Even as a child I always wanted to create the best artwork from the class,” she explains with a charming Quebecoise accent.
“I’ve felt creatively inclined for as long as I can remember; I had a deep desire to become an artist. It’s always been a natural part of who I am, though my parents encouraged the more practical side of art. So, I studied graphic art at the Old Montreal College in Quebec.”
Carr traveled to the Cayman Islands shortly after college graduation, where she carved out a successful graphic arts career at a retail store. She also immersed herself in a vastly different environment compared to Quebec.
“This is where I learned English and met my husband, Hank, who was a scuba diver instructor.
He recognized my talent, and I am incredibly grateful for his encouragement and belief in me,” Carr says with a smile.
“Without his support, I wouldn’t have been able to pursue my dream of becoming a professional artist.”
The two married and, soon after the arrival of their son, returned to the United States, residing in his hometown of Johnson City, Tenn. They made Tennessee their home for 26 years while raising their son and daughter.
There, Carr enjoyed an in-home studio where her talents grew as she worked, took and taught art classes, and fostered friendships with students and other artists.
“One of my most unforgettable achievements was my first gallery showing at a delightful gallery in Valle Crucis, North Carolina. I was both thrilled and nervous. It was such a memorable experience and a big milestone in my journey as an artist.”
The couple moved to Vero Beach when they became “empty nesters” and embarked on life’s next chapter.
Carr’s art career blossomed over the years through the use of a variety of media, tools and techniques. Carr has employed everything, including oils, acrylics, cold wax, small and wide brushes, and scraping implements, as well as patience, time, and her love for the plein air vistas.
According to Carr, a journey of a thousand miles may begin with one step, but an artist’s journey takes innumerable steps and never ends.
“A young artist isn’t necessarily a youngster though. When I say young artist, they can be 30, 50, 70 years old. It is when they have begun their journey. And the journey of art doesn’t have a destination. As an artist, I keep going forward,” she emphasizes.
Several years ago, while on a mission trip to Peru with Compassion International, an organization which helps release children from poverty, Carr taught youngsters to design and paint cards which they could sell to tourists to raise money.
“This was a personally gratifying experience. In fact, it is the same way I feel when any of my students today discover the joy of their own creations.”
Students from Peru, the Cayman Islands, Tennessee, Italy, France and, more recently, Vero Beach have had the privilege of participating in Carr’s painting workshops, where she takes artists to the next level of their own work while expanding her own techniques.
Carr’s joie de vivre spills onto her canvasses and is equally present during her workshops.
Sharing art and guiding others in their own artistic paths are two philosophical elements she embraces.
“Art brings people together, it’s neutral, not politics. It lends itself to discussion about life and feelings. My biggest dream has been to build a career as an artist and share my work with the world. To be able to do what I love and connect with others through my art and my teaching is incredibly fulfilling,” says Carr.
The future promises to be a creative adventure for both Carr and her students. She will hold classes at the Vero Beach Museum of Art in January, and is planning a 10-day painting workshop and sightseeing tour in Tuscany, where 12 lucky students will stay at a five-star private villa.
In her spare time, Carr remains active and creative by exercising at the gym, practicing yoga, kayaking, cooking, reading art-related books, and having peaceful walks with her two dogs. She explains that these alternate activities rejuvenate and refreshen her vision for her next paintings.
“I tell my students to be dedicated and don’t get discouraged by challenges. The artistic journey is full of highs and lows, and that’s completely normal. Avoid comparing yourself to others on social media; it can be disheartening,” says Carr.
“Instead, focus on your own growth. Take workshops, experiment with new techniques, and nurture your curiosity. Most importantly, put in the work to discover your unique voice. And don’t overlook the business side of art. It’s essential for turning your passion into a sustainable career.”
Photos by Joshua Kodis
