Monica Dix
Ave Maria, FL
Professional artist and educator specializing in vibrant Florida landscapes and expressive portraiture. BFA from Carnegie Mellon, mother of five, based in SWFL.
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Origins and Education
Born in 1971 in Lincoln, Nebraska, Monica Dix developed an early identity as an artist in childhood when teachers recognized her talent and asked for her help with bulletin boards. This identity strengthened in high school where she took all available art classes, learned diverse media including analog photography and even welding. Her education journey included Columbus College of Art and Design and Carnegie Mellon, where she double majored to gain a Renaissancestyle education surrounded by writers, philosophers, and scientists. She ultimately graduated with a concentration in ceramic sculpture.
Rediscovering Art After a Hiatus
After a 15-year break running a coffeehouse and a pub and raising a family, Dix found her way back to art during a difficult pregnancy with hyperemesis gravidarum. When even watching TV became uncomfortable, she began creating pen and ink sketches of her family. This rekindled her artistic spark, as she realized that her "brain was still seeing things like an artist". In 2017, she committed to working consistently on her art through various projects and with the help of an art coach.
Technology's Impact on Her Artistic Practice
The iPad and digital drawing tools revolutionized Dix's artistic practice, allowing her to create portable art while managing family responsibilities. This technological shift enabled her to work anywhere—from car lines to airports— leading to greater visibility on social media and eventually a position as an art teacher. She has since joined artist groups to continue learning and find exhibition opportunities, with a recent selection to exhibit at a local botanical garden. Dix continues to work in traditional media, including oils, gouache, charcoal, graphite, and silverpoint.
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About Monica Dix
I'm Monica Dix, a professional artist, art educator, and mother of five based in Southwest Florida. With over 20 years of artistic experience and a BFA from Carnegie Mellon University, I divide my creative focus between landscape painting and portraiture.
Artistic Vision
My work is deeply influenced by the natural beauty of Southwest Florida—the water, palms, and dramatic cloud formations that define this landscape. While grounded in realism, my art incorporates vibrant colors and organic lines that create a sense of movement and energy. I strive to capture not just the visual elements of my subjects, but their essence and emotional resonance.
Landscapes
The natural world serves as my primary inspiration. I'm particularly drawn to cloud formations, exploring their ever-changing shapes and luminosity through paint. My landscape work celebrates the distinctive beauty of Florida while incorporating universal principles of composition and light.
Portraiture
In my portrait work, I blend technical precision with artistic interpretation to reveal the character of my subjects. Currently, I'm challenging myself through a “Great Americans” portrait series, continuously refining my ability to capture human expression and individuality while learning about history.
Background
Beyond my artistic practice, I teach at a classical school in SWFL, sharing my passion for art with the next generation. My diverse background includes entrepreneurial experience as a former coffeehouse owner. When not creating or teaching, I enjoy knitting, literature, and culinary exploration.
I welcome commissions and inquiries about my artwork or teaching. Let's connect!