The Background

Hi, I’m Monica—an artist, maker, and community-loving creative who believes that making things isn’t extra—it’s essential. Creativity has always been how I make sense of the world, and it’s the place I return to when I need to feel most like myself.

My background working in libraries and community spaces shaped the way I think about creativity—not as something reserved for a few, but as something everyone deserves access to. Those spaces taught me the power of welcoming environments where curiosity is encouraged, people feel at ease, and everyone belongs.

I started ink + twig because I wanted to create that kind of space for kids. A place where imagination can roam freely, where there’s no pressure to get it “right,” and where making things is valued for the joy, confidence, and sense of possibility it builds along the way.

ink + twig began as a mobile art workshop, with plans to travel around in a cheerful vintage camper and pop up wherever creativity was needed. But, what started on wheels has grown into a dedicated studio space for year-round creating, tinkering, and community connection. Whether in the studio or out on the road, the heart of this work remains the same: giving kids the freedom to explore, create, and discover their own creative voice.