The Making of an Artist: Monica DeSalvo
Written by Tabitha Williams
Monica DeSalvo was one of the original Annex members after our move to Boston from Framingham, and last year we welcomed her back as an Associate member with the gallery. In this blog post, written by our spring 2021 intern Tabitha Williams, we get to learn more about her artistic career, her deep rooted family inspiration, and the unique method behind the titling of her work.
The Making of an Artist
Monica DeSalvo knew that she wanted to pursue an artistic career at a very young age, inspired by Captain Bob on Saturday mornings. Massachusetts and New England locals may remember when “The Nature World of Captain Bob” aired at 5:00 a.m. and taught kids to draw everything from cats to crocodiles.
There were ribbons everywhere
collage with cyanotype on acrylic monotype
11 x 14 inches (framed)
College and Career
Monica had always been inspired to create, and this was fully supported by her parents. Monica attended the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, studying visual design as an undergraduate. She sometimes felt as though she was being swayed from illustration by her professors and pushed to pursue design. This persuasion worked, and after graduating she continued pursuing design as a graduate student. Monica found her first job as a graphic designer at the Office of Communications at Boston College.
“I have always loved to draw and knew I wanted to be an illustrator by age three. I went to college for visual design, concentrating on illustration. I took design and typography classes simultaneously and was urged by my professors to switch to design. I knew I was better suited for a career in design vs freelance illustrating. So, I applied as a graduate student to stay on for two more years and build up a portfolio. After two years, I chose to take a leave instead of completing the master's degree--I had gotten what I needed. But mind you, any time there was a big transition or decision to make, it was the result of a big crisis.”
After seven years at Boston College, Monica found herself living abroad in Switzerland, periodically freelance designing and illustrating, and raising a young son. During this time, watercolors of her travels progressed to more serious painting. Six years later she returned to Massachusetts and joined the Arlington Center for the Arts where participated in their annual Open Studios. Eventually, she returned to the Boston College Office of University Communications, where she continues to work as a senior graphic designer. She has since become a member of the Attleboro Arts Museum, and finally Fountain Street Gallery.
“I drew and painted on the side, mostly watercolors from my travels. While living abroad in Zürich I took a watercolor class at the Schule für Gestaltung, and it changed how I worked. I went from tiny landscapes to just exploring color on paper, and this led to abstract works. My last year in Zürich I had a vision of a large painting to make. I only had small paper so I stapled four pieces together. I made it, and it came out just like I imagined. The staples enhanced the image, and that became a theme. I wanted to show and sell them! A friend suggested doing a "vernissage" at her in-law's house — they did this from time to time for other friends. So, I conceived of this solo painting show at this great big "wintner" (wine-grower) house on the Zuriberg overlooking the lake and mountains in a room that used to be a horse stable! I created a huge body of work, designed and sent out invites, and had a 3 day show with a big opening. That's how my "more serious" art life started.”
We didn't take the plane—the plane took us!
collage on digital enlargement of monotype remnants with colored pencil, pastel, and marker on 100% cotton archival paper
22 x 30 inches
Unique Titles
Monica’s father inspired much of her newer work, and many of the titles are quotes taken directly from him before his passing two years ago. For nearly seven years, Monica’s life revolved around taking care of her father while his health declined and he eventually experienced dementia. She describes him as having been a “feisty, unique, amazing, bizarre, and artistic” man; also simply put it that he was “a force.” Many people avoid talking about dementia and things that they may find uncomfortable, but Monica dives into these topics in her work, in the hope to discover beauty and humor in places they may not have been previously.
“Most of the unique titles are direct quotes from my father during the time he was affected by dementia. I managed his care for about seven years and was his "right arm" as he used to say. I kept a log of what he said, and I continue to spend time deciphering some of these phrases. His quotes are mini works of art to me. I need them to live on, and I like the idea of my work becoming a "duet" with him.”
During her visits with him, she often wrote and recorded the things he said for the future. Due to his dementia, he often experienced extremely detailed hallucinations. Sometimes he went on trips in his mind on busses or airplanes, even going to Hawaii for a while. Some hallucinations had to do with his time serving in the Air Force. Dementia can be a terrible time, but Monica recalls a lot of bonding and laughs with her father during this period in his life. While Monica was cleaning out her parents’ house and her father’s belongings after his passing, she found material that she later incorporated into her collages that reflect on his condition.
It's nature leaving you alone
collage on a digital photo with colored pencil on 100% cotton archival paper
22 x 28 inches
Understanding the Work
To better understand Monica’s work, you should view it as her reaction to the world. As her life changes, so does her art. Recently it has been a reaction to her father’s condition, and another body of work reflects COVID-19 where Monica brings joy to dark times through humor and reflection.
“Art-making gave me a tool to use as a conduit to my father's legacy. It gives me the tools to process all my experiences and will keep evolving as I wish. Incorporating family legacy into the work is healing and unclogs my brain.”
Monica believes that artists share a very similar role to journalists in today’s society, recording what is going on with them and in the current state of the world and reporting it back out to the public. Art serves as a way to connect people through common experiences.
Currently, Monica is making books of her dementia series and stories from her life, contour drawings from Zoom meetings, and freeze frame drawings of Lifetime movies. Monica is one of eight regional artists chosen for this year’s Attleboro Art Museum’s “8 Vision” exhibition, and will be featured in “The Momentary” the associate group show at Fountain Street this August.