I stumbled upon Alyssa Monks, a painter who specializes in photorealism, four years ago. Her oil paintings are absolutely captivating not just because they are beautiful, but because of the skepticism that surrounds them. Monks said that her intention is to “transfer the intimacy and vulnerability of my human experience into a painted surface”. In my opinion she successfully conveys her objective. Still today the human body (especially the female anatomy),sex, and emotion are taboo subjects and I think Alyssa’s art brings us to terms with them in a comfortable way. The clarity of Monk’s work immediately makes the viewing an intimate encounter.

Alyssa Monks attended Boston College, Lorenzo de’ Medici (Florence, Italy), the New York Academy of Art, and the Graduate School of Figurative Art. She lectures and teaches at institutions like these including the New York Academy of Art. Of course her academic background is just an addition to the lifetime experience that influences her artwork. Like most artist Monks shares a deep connection with each piece she creates. To get a more in depth account, you can listen to Alyssa Monks explain her passion here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQg4RfjBqqs

Smirk 48″x64″, oil on linen, 2009

Laughing Girl 40″x60″, oil on linen, 2009

Thank You 30″x30″, oil on linen, 2013

Evolve 32″x48″, oil on linen, 2012

Deference 66x56in. oil on linen. 2015

Link to Alyssa’s website:
http://www.alyssamonks.com/?auth_sid=88b8e688790f6b3c1ec5204e6185b4d1#333_AlyssaMonks_Deference.jpg#home