Today we’re joined by Monica Stuffle. Monica is a wonderful visual artist who specializes in realistic drawing and portraiture. She has also dabbled in sculpture. While she prefers realistic drawings, Monica also draws in a cartoon style on occasion. It’s clear she’s a dedicated and passionate artist, as you’ll soon read. My thanks to her for taking the time to participate in this interview.
WORK
Please, tell us about your art.
My art ranges from digital to traditional, and even occasionally sculptural. I usually draw as realistically as I can, but my people-pleasers tend to be more simple and cartoonish. My art is almost always portraiture, and my strongest portraits are in plain old graphite.
What inspires you?
People around me, both on and off the internet. I’m drawn to aesthetics, so I’ll be inspired my a pretty face, a lovely themed blog, or another artist’s work.
What got you interested in your field? Have you always wanted to be an artist?
I’ve been an artist for as long as I can remember. I never really considered my talent and important thing until recently. I’ve been trying to incorporate my passion into my life more and more, including doing commissions (open 😉 ) and posting my work to try and build a career out of it.
Do you have any kind of special or unique signature, symbol, or feature you include in your work that you’d be willing to reveal?
I wish! Maybe I should come up with one. Like a tiny ace flag in the corner or something.
What advice would you give young aspiring artists?
Young or new artists should always remember to breathe, taking a step back and looking at where they are. I know I struggled a lot with not living up to my own expectations, so I had to learn to sit back and remember how far I’ve come already in my artistic journey. There will always be someone better than you, and that’s okay. My advice is to take what you can from your experiences. Learn from other artists, acknowledge your mistakes and fix them, and never give in to frustration.
ASEXUALITY
Where on the spectrum do you identify?
I’m aromantic asexual as far as I know! Still unsure of my romantic orientation but very set on the asexuality.
Have you encountered any kind of ace prejudice or ignorance in your field? If so, how do you handle it?
Very little. There’ll always be someone who just doesn’t understand when you come out, but for me they have always grown either accepting or quietly confused yet still loving. I’m very lucky in that sense.
What’s the most common misconception about asexuality that you’ve encountered?
That aroaces have no soul! Honestly, there are different kinds of love. We aren’t all apathetic!
What advice would you give to any asexual individuals out there who might be struggling with their orientation?
Take your time. There’s no pressure to find a label, soon or ever. If you feel that you’re asexual or aromantic, that’s your own business and no one else’s. If you figure that you don’t identify on the ace spectrum even if you thought you did, no worries! The LGBT+ community is one of self discovery.
Finally, where can people find out more about your work?
I have a Redbubble and an art Tumblr, both at monic-artt. (Again, commissions are open!! It’s dirt cheap!)
Thank you, Monica, for participating in this interview and this project. It’s very much appreciated.
