Yuma artist Monica King to display various works at The Orphanage – Sterling Journal-Advocate

Yuma resident Monica King will display her artwork at The Orphanage during the month of October. Her show is titled “Diverse Body of Work” and highlights her talent with disparate media and subject matter.

King knew at an early age that she wanted to be an artist. Her parents and teachers encouraged her to pursue drawing and sculpting, and painting with oils, watercolors, and acrylics. She lived in Rangely, Colo., for ten years prior to moving to Yuma. While in range, she mastered the art of tole painting by attending conventions and learning techniques from various artists.

Vibrant colors and remarkable realism show up in some of Monica King’s work, on display in October at The Orphanage. (Richard Birnie / The Orphanage)

Tole painting is the art of decorative painting on tin and wooden utensils, objects, and furniture. The practice began, in America, in 18th century New England. King taught the art form at Northwestern Community College for five years. While teaching in Rangely she also took classes in stained glass, oil painting, watercolor, quilting, candle wicking, cross stitch, sewing and tailoring.

The Yuma community has come to know Monica’s graphic artwork on both the inside and outside of several local buildings. One of her first projects was the Italian themed paintings on the walls inside the old Westside Café. Also, using her tole painting skills, she painted the building murals inside the Yuma District Hospital. Monica enjoys mural painting because murals are accessible to a wider audience.

For 20 years, King owned and operated Flowers Express in downtown Yuma. She attended floral classes and seminars to learn the tricks of the trade and looks upon floral arranging as a form of 3D art. Allergies forced her to hang up her florist hat and even though semi-retired, she is still painting, crafting, and creating decorative pieces.

King loves to share her diverse background in art by teaching classes to adults and kids and feels that she can always learn something new from other artists.

“Diverse Body of Work” runs from Friday, Oct. 7 through Sunday, Oct. 30 at the Orphanage, 300 S. Main Street, Yuma. Hours for the show are 10 am to 4 pm Tuesday through Saturday, 1 to 4 pm Sunday, and closed Mondays. The opening reception for “Diverse Body of Work” will be from 5 to 8 pm Friday, Oct. 7. Light refreshments will be served.

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