Monisa Parekh
Monisa is someone who has truly dedicated her life to art. Originally from India, she brought that passion with her to New York, a city that welcomes all kinds of creativity. Her work shows a strong sense of craftsmanship and attention to detail. Every painting feels carefully thought out and intentionally made.
I met Monisa at one of my first art shows, the NFiniTe Art Show. Her work was displayed on the wall right next to my table. Each artist was given a certain amount of space, but she used every inch of hers. The wall was filled with carefully chosen pieces that showed the range of her abilities. None of the paintings were framed. Instead, they were pinned directly to the wall so the handmade edges of the paper could remain visible. She wanted people to experience the piece as a whole rather than as something contained within a frame.
The collection focused on New York City from different perspectives. Some paintings leaned toward realism while others moved into abstraction. The colors and shapes suggested movement and atmosphere in the city. Some pieces were so detailed that you had to look twice to be sure you weren’t looking at a photograph.
Monisa has been painting since she was about three years old. Growing up, her mother saved many of her early works, which she still keeps stored in her studio today. Just as art inspired her at a young age, she now wants to pass that inspiration forward. She works as an art teacher and often looks for creative ways to help her students express themselves. One idea she shared with me was having her students design their own board games. She noticed that many kids didn’t always have an outlet for creative expression and wanted to create hands-on ways for them to explore art.
When I visited her home studio, it felt like stepping directly into her creative world. The walls were filled with her work, almost like a visual timeline of her journey. A small window sits above her drawing desk, letting in just enough natural light. Nearby is a bookshelf filled with art and illustration books, an easel holding an unfinished painting in the corner, and a closet that opens up to reveal a large collection of drawing and painting materials.
Part of her process also involves creating prints using a print press. Each time the press is used, the color from the original plate fades slightly. Because of that, she limits the number of prints she makes so that each one remains unique.
A few years ago, Monisa had to step away from painting for a period of time to focus on other responsibilities. When she returned, she described this new phase of her work as “Renata,” which means rebirth. Coming back to painting gave her a renewed sense of purpose and energy. Her work during this time expanded into different mediums and styles. Some pieces are very realistic, like a bell emerging from a dark background, while others explore bold colors, expressive faces, and floral compositions. It’s clear that years of dedication have allowed her to move confidently across different forms of expression.
Her newest body of work explores the balance between light and darkness using watercolor. In these pieces, colors collide and blend together, creating formations that almost feel cosmic—like looking into a galaxy. Unlike her earlier works, which were left unframed, she decided to experiment with framing these pieces. However, she designed the frames with glass on both sides so that the edges of the paper remain visible. Even within the frame, the artwork still feels open and organic.
After our photoshoot, Monisa invited us to stay for a meal so we could talk more about her culture. The food itself was an experience. The colors on the table were as vibrant as the ones in her paintings. It almost felt like another form of art—the table acting as a canvas and the dishes becoming the tools. Each plate was carefully balanced with herbs and spices, and she explained where each dish came from and how it connected to different regions of India and neighboring cultures.
Spending time with Monisa showed me that her creativity extends far beyond painting. She approaches life itself with the same care and thoughtfulness she brings to her work.
She’s incredibly welcoming, deeply ambitious, and clear about the path she wants to follow. For Monisa, art isn’t just something she does, it’s something that shapes the way she lives and shares her world with others.
