About monet
Thank you so much for taking the time to visit Paint Queen by Monet. Paint Queen was birthed during a scary- beautiful time in my life when I began to really question the impetus of all of the actions that had led me to the emotional and mental state that I was in. As a Black, Christian woman with a strong sense of self, my voice was often silenced which eventually taught me to silence myself and to minimize the amount of space my dominant personality naturally took up. Consequently, this led to a gradual loss of identity and an unhealthy dependency on outside validation to move forward with anything.
After relocating from my home state, California, to the DC Metro Area (DMV) in 2016, I began grappling with who I had become and questioning how I had gotten so far from the woman that I once was. This naturally shifted my attention back to God, as I was alone in a new place and had no other influences to look to. In October 2016, after a relatively amicable break up, I rededicated my life to Christ, and surrendered my will to His and decided that no matter the cost, I would remain committed to whatever path He saw fit for my life.
The breaking
God had to bring to the surface all of the lies that the enemy used to to keep me from walking in purpose: you’re too sensitive, you always have something to say, no one will find you valuable, there’s so many other women more talented, more beautiful and more educated than you, you’re just not enough. Just to name a few! Once I learned how to challenge and manage my thought life, I began a real, intimate relationship with Christ; one in which I learned how to trust him. And when I truly internalized His truth about me I began to believe without doubt, even in the midst of my shortcomings, that He wanted to use my life to reach His people. Soon I began to walk in intentionality and purpose.
The Shaping
Then came the shaping. Now that I was aware of the lies, I could learn to live above them and learn who I was rather than accepting who my insecurities taught me to be. I got back to engaging in things because of love, passion, and desire, rather than out of guilt, obligation or fear. This included the way I wore my hair, the clothes and activities I chose, and the ways in which I showed up for people. With a whole, healthy heart I began creating things from a place of completion. I began expressing myself more creatively; making things, baking, treat table design, party planning. I even began painting after I had attended my first paint night at a nearby restaurant.
The birthing
I began painting after I attended my first paint night at a restaurant. First, it started with a few bottles of acrylic paint so I could perfect my paint night creations at home. Then, what started as printing online portraits for the challenge of replicating them, turned into leading paint nights for the students at my job and eventually saying “I think I should do this for real.
I really loved the concept of paint nights, but I hated that they were always jam-packed and that I could hardly hear the instructor because of the crowd. I also did not like that I had no control over my environment and that I had to be subjected to the wildly inappropriate conversations that strangers were having around me. Similarly, I felt strongly about the fact that there were no drinks or snackage included and that I was relegated to selecting only the paint options available on the website. After all, I wanted some artwork that was meaningful! Although many of the paintings were nice, there was never anything that truly spoke to me and if there was, I had to drive super far to get to it. So what do I do with that, and how do I fill in that gap for myself and others like me who the regular paint nights don’t seem to work for?
During my graduate school days I was taught never to present a problem without also bringing 3 potential solutions. Paint Queen was indefinitely my solutions with three added bonuses. Paint Queen parties are 1) Private 2) Themed and Personalized 3) Provide Treats and Beverages. Paint Queen by Monet is a completely different experience, so if paintings of beautiful sceneries or photos of places you can't afford to travel to is what you’re looking for, then Paint Queen parties may not suit your needs. With Paint Queen I want to help others celebrate things, people places and or events that are personal to them. I want to guide survivors of any type as they transform their “beauty for ashes” experiences into art instead of scars.
Thank you for your interest in Paint Queen by Monet and I look forward to helping you create a memorable experience!