MONIQUE MARIE LONG...This is my latest piece in my "I Am..." series of empowering and encouraging messages based on my life's lessons and journey. It's never been enough for me to paint pretty pictures, my goal has always been to have a collection that makes a statement and difference in other peoples lives. My hope is that they resonate with one of the images and remember it and its message when they are going through difficult times. For instance, "I Am...Enough" or "I Am...Strong & Courageous." All my work is completely original and conceptual from beginning to end. These pieces sometimes take weeks to complete as they evolve during the process. They are somewhat graphic because of my background in illustration working as a designer in film and fashion. I didn't want them to be photo real because they can resonate more with the viewer than an actual photograph of someone else. I love a variety of mixed media and using unconventional items and techniques that are not traditionally used in fine art and feel that's what makes my work so bold and unique. I like texture, and objects that give dimension with a variety of applications over them. This piece is made with a mix of impasto, metal, swarovski crystal, and layers of colors and thicknesses of acrylic paint. It represents a freedom, with her head flung back, hair flowing and a renewal and light that comes with that freedom, as seen through the sun and rays behind her.