A LITTLE ABOUT ME...

mona j. phiffer art x I is a self-taught folk artist from Lake County, Illinois, whose work powerfully intertwines cultural memory, healing, spirituality, and historical preservation. Identifying as a “Universe-conscious” artist, she creates from a place of deep intuition, ancestral reverence, and profound connection to both earthly history and the infinite cosmos.

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Rooted in the legacy of Black American history, Mona’s work vividly brings to life scenes from slavery, resilience, migration, identity, liberation, and triumph. She honors ancestors and elevates untold narratives through emotionally charged imagery, bold symbolism, and vibrant color. Her paintings serve as living records—preserving memory and giving voice to stories too often silenced.

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A significant part of her practice includes portraiture of influential Black figures who have shaped culture, justice, art, and everyday life—leaders, thinkers, creators, and changemakers whose contributions continue to impact the modern world. Through these portraits, Mona not only pays homage but reaffirms pride, dignity, and the continued evolution of Black excellence.

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Mona has created hundreds of paintings in celebration of Black roots and Blackness—works that honor history, illuminate identity, and uplift the spirit of a people whose strength continues to inspire generations. Her range extends beyond historical narrative into dreamscapes and universal abstraction, exploring cosmic consciousness and humanity’s spiritual connection to the universe. Inspired by Missouri, California, Illinois, Africa, and memory itself, she bridges past, present, and the boundless beyond.

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Her work has been exhibited at Dandelion Gallery & Studios in Waukegan, Illinois, where she has also led workshops centered on creativity, cultural expression, and healing. Her artistic journey began when a painting glimpsed in a favorite film sparked an inner awakening, leading her to a lifelong calling of storytelling through art.

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Through her art, mona j. phiffer art x I honors ancestors, celebrates Black identity, and invites viewers to reflect, remember, and connect—affirming that Black history is not only remembered, but vibrantly alive.