Meet MONKPANDA | Designer & Muralist

We had the good fortune of connecting with MONKPANDA and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi MONKPANDA, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Well, one true reason why I pursue an artistic career is because, I truly enjoyed the discovery of the unknown and imaginative creative world. I found it very captivating, how I can create something out of thin air or referred to something that someone can relate to or relive a fun memory from they’re past. That type of bond from my audience is so special to me!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As far as my art career, I was very excited and proud to be able to create a mural with other art friends of mine for Stacks Squares in Cabbagetown and have the opportunity to be able to be a part of chalktoberfest and help create a widespread mural on the ground in Marietta Square last summer, that many artists from all over witnessed me in action. To be honest, there are even more that come to mind, but these definitely were pretty cool recent highlights of my career that I will remember always! The way I emerged in the professional art world, was particularly a unique journey! After i graduated from art school (Art Institute of Atlanta) studying graphic design (BFA in Graphic Design), I worked with a colleague as a senior designer in marketing firm for 3 years. In between those times, I decided to put together art shows almost every couple of months with a collective, I formed with my fellow colleagues! From there, I met many local artists that are now thriving in the art industry as of today!

Then my father passed around that time, and that changed my whole perspective of how I saw things in the art world. I wanted to start from fresh! And left that firm to work at a (Staples) as a Print & marketing associate. That allowed me to heal and also reset about how I want it to do art. I then was also hanging out at a bubble tea café (HoneyBubble) always chalking on the chalkboard wall for fun! From there I was seen by a particular couple that admired my chalk art! And from there they offered me too, join they’re guild (Georgia Chalk Artist Guild) to create chalk art and festivals as a paid gig, or go to camps or local schools to introduce chalk art! That really immersed me into being a part of a really creative a community that really enjoyed the conversations and experiences of the creative world, and how to make it a part of your life.
While I was doing that with them, I began to develop a certain persona and style that gave off a fun and comfort food inspired characters that displayed colorful visuals that reference anime or a cartoon character of my personal childhood.
In regards to that development, I begin to build more confidence in creating projects or showcasing that side of my style and potential shows art gigs around Atlanta. From there, I even had the courage to volunteer more for gallery shows. And one particular show that I volunteered to help, came from a fellow creative and friend of mine (Jake Llaurado) that steered me into the opportunity to receive a job from a brilliant and amazing person (Parsa Behnamiri) to help manage a print production/product development for a print shop (The Print Shop Atl) in Ponce City Market that sells local prints of a many amazing artist!
From there I understood and received a lot of feedback from other fellow artists that were willing to share about their, journey. There is never just one path of opportunity in the art world to succeed and learn. It’s more of a network of many paths that will take you on a journey to expose yourself to whatever you are seeking. The really cool part about when you’re seeking something in tha art world. It may not be exactly what is destined for you. Sometimes it may just be a window of opportunity that will open another world of creativity that you never seen before.
If I could leave behind anything about myself in my brand, it’s that I enjoy the action to inspire and put a smile on peoples faces that also find the interest in reliving or even reminiscing in a colorful and comforting memory that triggers the urge to create more art!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well for a really cool venture in some places around my city we catch them downtown. Sometimes, I enjoy moving around on the Beltline. It’s very convenient because you can catch amazing views to take great photos. There are cool eatery along the way like Krog Street Market or Ponce City Market. There is a skatepark near Old 4th Ward bridge where most tourist, creatives, and skaters all hangout to vibe out, play sports on the big field or practice making a mural under the bridge. Another place to chill if you’re interested in being creative is Krog Street Tunnel! It’s usually a cool connectors off the Beltline trail that is always open to any creative thats wants to practice on they’re painting or spray paint skills. Even on the other side of the tunnel, there is a huge long wall the wraps down the road full of professional murals from local artists. I also recommmend EAV or East Atlanta Village! Great spot to look for food like Ok Yaki which is one of my favorite spots to grab some grub and drink saki!!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Don’t want this to sound like an acceptance speech, but I definitely want to shout out to God for guiding me. I also shout out to my parents for always supporting me. Specifically big shout out to all my professors in college. (Art Institute) … my high school teacher Ms. Sheila Bussey! As well as some of my favorite music artists that had albums help me imagine some of the most creative ideas like Kid Cudi, Toro Y Moi and Pharrell Williams.

Website: https://www.iammonkpanda.com/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/iammonkpanda?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Image Credits
John Dirga for photo #1 Jessi Queen for photo #2 Ashley Masters for photo #3 Marietta Square for photo #4 HeadCount for photo #6