John Monson

Before I even learned the word "artist," I've had a passion for art. As a child, making marks on paper with anything available was my joy in life. It's been an integral part of who I am.

After earning my Bachelor of Fine Art degree, I landed a job as a computer artist. I got to create lots of images, and it was exciting for a while. However, I didn't feel like an artist. Computers and programming were challenging and seductive, but I missed the joy of working with physical materials and following my own artistic vision.

Then I became an art director & program manager for a large software firm in 1992. First as an art director then a program manager. Digital imaging and software development was intellectually stimulating and seemed very important at the time, yet I still had a yearning that wouldn't subside.

Finally, at the turn of the century, I left my job and returned to my given place as an artist. A changed and changing person. With the life I have left, I'm determined to grow as an artist. I don't want to just be satisfied with a career change. I also hope to change art and minds by blurring the lines between painting, sculpture, and architecture.

I live somewhere between intention and discovery, finding my own way.

I hop...

BFA Studio Art, Western Washington University

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2015 Sundance Gallery, Seattle, Washington

2011 Form/Space Atelier, Seattle, Washington

2010 Form/Space Atelier, Seattle, Washington

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2016 "Call of the Clouds" Blakely Hall, Issaquah Washington

1982 Puyallup Art Fair, Puyallup, Washington

1981 Bellevue Art Fair, Belleview, Washington

1980 Bellevue Art Fair, Belleview, Washington

1979 "Monson & Dahlgren" Western Washington University

1979 "Works on Paper", Gonzaga University

1979 "Nine" North Seattle Community College