Monica Caram
Artist

Can you tell us a little bit about what you do?
I am a multi-media artist focused on sustainability and working predominantly with reclaimed glass to be re-introduced as daily use accents into households. An important part of my work is creating awareness of our impact on the environment and encouraging people to be more eco-conscious.

How did you first become interested in art, and what inspires you creatively?
I became interested in art when I was a child. I grew up in Argentina and from an early age I was super-active, learning to read when I was 4 years old. I didn’t have siblings to play with so, to keep me entertained, my mom taught me to draw. My grandma did crochet, so I learned to do that when I was 6 years old. My dad showed me how to use tools, allowing me to help every time he was fixing something. I was an avid collector of nature’s items and loved to observe and reflect my experiences into art.

Nature is my main source of inspiration. I enjoy studying ancient civilizations and their symbiosis with their habitats, how resourceful and sustainable they were. I currently work with reclaimed materials such as glass and the main point of my designs is to be sustainable and create with what we already have to reduce our carbon footprint and the impact we cause our planet as consumers.

How does art enrich a community, and what are some ways people can engage with art in Burbank?
Art brings awareness on different subjects and is a starting point to finding the best ways to solve problems as a community through creativity and love. Burbank is filled with artists and through Burbank Arts and the City we have ever-expanding opportunities to get involved, engaged, and support the artists and their art.

If you could share with our community one thing about art, what would it be?
I have been an art instructor for Burbank Parks and Recreations where I teach art for parents & children, “Recycling to Build Robots” and “Great Masters.” These 2 classes are seasonal and designed for young home-schooled children to have access to learning art while bonding with their parents.

To find out more about Monica and her work, visit her website moonstonecraft.com or follow her on Instagram @moonstonecraft or @artmoonstone