by Monika Blichar
I love seeing artists emerge in our community because it shows me that one more person is being courageous. Being an artist takes a lot of self confidence and risk not only because they don’t know when they will sell something or be commissioned, but also because they put work out there for the world to react to. Some people will fall in love with what they do, many won’t. Some people will support the arts, but many won’t know how to respond to creative works.
What I have noticed over the years is that many people don’t realize the hours and hours of work it takes to be an artist. From working on pieces in between jobs to spending each weekend at markets and shows promoting your own work. Being an artist not only takes courage, it also takes persistence, determination and motivation to continue despite fear, failure, or hard work. For these reasons, I am always so proud of emerging artists and creators. Today, I catch up with Celina Miller of MoonLight Studios whose work is often created in the moon light hours while her family is sleeping, but who also prides herself sharing her passion with her family and now, with the art world.

Honestly, everything inspires me. The colour of the leaves, the waves of the ocean, the swimming of an orca, the wings of a bird flying, the blades of grass, the different colours of sand on a beach, my husband, my daughter, my dogs, I honestly find inspiration everywhere I look!

I would love to be doing this full time, having my own studio, my art in a gallery, my name out there in the art world. I’m excited for all the things to come for me!
My dream vacation would be Europe. Greece, Italy, France, the art, the culture, the food, I would love it all!

Monika Blichar is an Entrepreneur and Artist. She is owner of Monika’s Art Boutique-Studio & Gallery in North Vancouver and producer of Art World Expo and Painting Dreams International Art Tours. She is always pushing boundaries as an artist and creative entrepreneur. Her love of the arts has been a part of her life since childhood.