Daily Inspiration: Meet Monica Tookes

Today we’d like to introduce you to Monica Tookes.

Monica, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Raised in an Air Force military family, my childhood unfolded between my mother’s roots along the Mississippi Gulf Coast and in New Orleans and my father’s family from Oglethorpe, Georgia, where he lived in Atlanta. Before my parents’ separation, we lived in Atlanta until I was about five. Visits to my grandparents’ farm in Georgia taught me patience, the rhythms of rural life, and the value of hard work, while the city of Atlanta pulsed with energy. Atlanta has remained a constant presence in my life, shaping who I am and the path I would ultimately take.

From the age of four, I began seeing and learning the art of business, riding between carpet rolls in my father’s van as he ran his own carpet contracting company with my uncles. I watched them work in countless homes, inhaling the sharp scent of carpet glue and freshly cut fibers as each job was completed with care. I would sit on the floors with my Little People house, singing and absorbing as much as my young mind could understand. These memories remain vivid. I was being shown the value of diligence, work ethic, and taking pride in your craft. Today, those lessons live in every project I undertake and in the entrepreneurial spirit I carry as a professional visual artist.

I returned to Atlanta to attend Spelman College, arriving in a city where my story and legacy were still unfolding. The year before, I visited my grandfather at his bedside. This would be the last time I would see his face or hold his tired, working hands. He had shown me so much in our brief time together, and I felt his love deeply. He transitioned quietly, and that day remains a vivid memory and a guiding reminder in my journey of bridging the gaps between both sides of my family’s ancestry. One year later, I received the devastating news that my father had also passed away quietly in his sleep at the age of forty four. This loss profoundly shaped my journey upon arriving in Atlanta. It was a defining moment that called me to step fully into myself and begin discovering who I was, who I wanted to become, and how my gifts could one day become my voice. This experience offered me the choice to stand in my faith or fall beneath my fears. I chose to stand.

My father and I shared conversations prior to my arrival in Atlanta that were filled with questions, excitement, plans, and laughter. To lose my father suddenly challenged my faith and trust in God’s timing. It stirred a deep anger and resentment during my freshman year of college that could have derailed me. It nearly unraveled everything my family had instilled in me. Instead, with therapy, love, and support, it became fuel. It pushed me to fight harder for my purpose and clarified the calling I had already begun to feel. Time and the unwavering love of my mother allowed me to press forward. Her strength guided me through grief and helped me find meaning in continuing the journey she encouraged me to take for myself. It was in my father’s absence that I began fighting for my own purpose in life. He had already planted that seed, taking me to work as a child and showing me the value of honing your craft. Those memories etched a lasting vision into my story, and my mother’s steadfast love, hard work, and many sacrifices shaped the woman I am today.

My childhood was rooted along the Gulf Coast, where the foundation of my identity was formed, while my adulthood began when I returned to Atlanta for college. The grounding of rural life, the depth of my military family upbringing along the Gulf Coast, and the heartbeat of Atlanta shaped my life, teaching me to honor the past while boldly claiming my future. More than three decades after first living in the beautiful city of Atlanta as a child, Atlanta is no longer simply a place from my early years. It is the home and birthplace of my career, the pivotal stage of my growth, and the center of my work as a professional artist, storyteller, and entrepreneur. My journey stands as a testament to resilience, purpose, and the work forged through every challenge and triumph along the way. The colors and strokes I use in my work carry experience, courage, and the stories of my past and present. They live through intention, hard work, and practice.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My freshman year of college was a time of discovering who I was and who I might become, yet I was already facing the loss of a part of myself in my father’s passing. I didn’t know how I would navigate that grief or grow into the woman I hoped to be, but it became the quiet force that pushed me to find my voice, claim my path, and step fully into my potential. I realize everything about my journey as a professional artist starts at this pivotal moment in my life.

Every hardship in my journey has been a lesson in resilience, persistence, and the courage to trust my own gifts. Loss, doubt, and the unknown tested me, but each challenge became a guide, shaping me, clarifying my purpose, and strengthening my voice as an artist. Life is filled with so many challenges. I no longer fear them the way I used to. I try to confront them and learn from them. I don’t hide or try to navigate things alone anymore. I am grateful for the many mentors I have gained through each obstacle, who have guided me toward my purpose and supported my dreams over the years. One thing I remind myself of often is that I am not alone. I am only as alone as I allow myself to be when I don’t speak up and ask for help.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a professional visual artist, muralist, art consultant, and curator with over thirty years of experience creating, collaborating, and elevating spaces through art. My work spans abstract painting, large-scale installations, murals, and site-specific projects in galleries, homes, offices, public spaces, and elevated brand environments. I specialize in bringing bold, emotive color, texture, and energy to every space I touch, whether through commissioned artworks, installations, or curated experiences.

I have been fortunate to have a career deeply rooted in Atlanta, where I opened three galleries early on and have since completed large-scale installations for private collectors, including celebrities, as well as public art projects that bring creativity to the city’s streets. My work has also been used to support meaningful causes, from fundraisers for scholarships at my alma mater, Spelman College, to nonprofit campaigns that inspire giving through poster art.

I am known for blending fine art with collaboration, whether designing posters for non-profit organizations, creating live paintings alongside Grammy-winning musicians and corporations, or partnering with major hospitality brands like Rémy Martin, Hendrick’s Gin, Stoli Vodka, Hennessy Cognac, Grey Goose Vodka, as well as collaborating with major retailers like Bloomingdale’s. My work reaches beyond traditional walls, appearing on murals, office spaces, signal boxes, bike racks, and even wrapping a food truck for a business I co-own with my husband.

Above all, I am committed to using art as a vehicle for connection, inspiration, and transformation, whether it’s through public installations, immersive brand experiences, charitable projects, or mentoring the next generation of creatives. My career is a reflection of curiosity, persistence, and the belief that art has the power to shape spaces, stories, and lives.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I grew up in Biloxi, Mississippi, surrounded by family, community, and a love of learning and creativity. From a young age, I was always active and involved. I participated in throwing beads yearly in Mardi Gras parades, cheerleading, softball, track and field, yearbook staff, French club, arts programs, creative writing, talent shows, dance, and so much more. I loved outdoor activities like hunting, fishing, crabbing, boat riding, tubing, and skeet shooting. This was normal where I grew up and being outdoors was our favorite place to be. I embraced leadership roles, serving as president of multiple clubs and my senior class. I was honored in my high school as most likely to succeed and was part of homecoming court and debutante traditions.

There were some challenging moments growing up, including experiences with race and bullying, but the support and love of my friends and family helped me persevere. I did not let those challenges stop me or define me. I was a young leader who loved helping others. I challenged myself and encouraged those around me to live fully. I loved giving back through community service, food drives, and creating gifts with my family to share with others. I was always busy, never idle or bored, thriving on activity, creativity, and connection. Most importantly, I loved spending time with my friends, learning, exploring, and building the foundation for the woman I would become.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.shopmonicatookesart.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/MonicaTookesStudio

Image Credits
Rea-vaughn Lucas, Monica Tookes