Artist Profiles: Fleta Monaghan

Fleta Monaghan grew up on the west coast of Florida, on the beautiful Gulf of Mexico. After living in San Francisco, Eugene, Oregon and Richmond, Virginia, and traveling around the United States, she settled in Asheville, North Carolina in 1981.

River's Edge Studio
at Riverview Station
191 Lyman Street #310
Asheville, NC 28801
828-776-2716
www.fletamonaghan.com

I have always been attracted to beautiful and historic places populated with interesting and artistically inclined people. After visiting Asheville briefly, I decided this was a perfect place to live and work. I enjoy the thriving arts community, and love working and teaching in a poetically timeworn 100 year old warehouse in the River Arts District of Asheville.”

Periwinkle Storm
Oil on Canvas
36 “ x 36”

Red Planet
Oil on Canvas
32” x 32”

Fireweed
Oil on Canvas
32” x 32”

Water Dance
Oil on Canvas
24” x 24”

The oldest of seven children, she began painting in oils and pastels at an early age. Her earliest works still in existence are pastel copies of Bottecelli paintings, executed at age twelve.

“I have heard it said that an artist only has to look at the art work they created as a child to see the directions and themes that will resonate in their adult work. That is certainly true with me. I experimented with all kinds of materials as a kid – marbling paper with oil paint, making handmade paper, drawing and painting and creating costumes and dressing up my siblings. I would read about some new technique or see some interesting art, and the next thing you knew I was trying it out. Naturally, most of my experimentation took place outside! I’m still working in oils and pastels, designing stage sets and trying new mediums that grab my interest.
I am always seeking an essence of thought and feeling when I combine imagery with materials. There is an unbroken thread that weaves through all my work, no matter want materials I use or which techniques employ. Living close to the Gulf of Mexico in the Florida wetlands strongly influenced my visual, spiritual and philosophical senses as have the Mountains here in North Carolina.”

Cool Fire
Oil on canvas
36” x 28” x 3”

Yellow Impulse
Oil on canvas
20” x 16” x 3”

April Parade
Oil on canvas
20” x 16” x 3”

Pandora’s Box
Acrylic on Canvas
25” x 25”

"In 2006 I began exploring the theme of change and the impact that heat, ice, water and changing environment is making on the living things on earth now and will in the coming decades. Contemplating the minute changes and vast repeating patterns in nature, and witnessing these things in a flash of time relatively so small and twinkling, is a humbling and overwhelming experience. In the past two years my work has evolved from symbolic abstraction to pure abstract paintings in oils on canvas. My paintings in the 70’s were in the abstract style and I have returned to abstract painting many times since then. Every year I do some work in a more realistic style also to stay in practice and to keep seeing skills sharp. And, I’m using oil pastels now as a means to develop compositions for larger works on canvas. This is great fun!”

Fleta, an educator with many years of experience, works in her private studio at Riverview station, and tutors adult students in art in her adjoining classroom. Her work can be seen by appointment at her studio and every day at Woolworth Walk Gallery. In June and July 2008 she will be exhibiting new work at The Front Gallery of AAAC in Asheville in a show titled “Blind Date”.

For class schedules, a complete resume and to sign up for Fleta’s occasional free newsletter, go to www.fletamonaghan.com.