#29 – How to Bring Portraits to Life on Canvas | Monica Ikegwu

You know that moment when a painting feels so real you swear the subject might blink? Hyper-realist portraitist Monica Ikegwu returns to reveal the behind-the-scenes rigor—hours of glazing, precise lighting choices, and minimalist backgrounds—that turn a single photograph into a living, breathing canvas. Join Monica as she unpacks her journey from MFA student at the New York Academy of Art to international exhibitions, and how her “Just Say Yes” ethos keeps her pushing creative boundaries. 

• Studio rigor and glazing: how disciplined layers of paint bring depth and life to every portrait
• From fabric backdrops to abstraction: evolving her style by pairing figures with minimalist geometric shapes
• Photo-shoot alchemy: capturing a sitter’s essence in brief sessions and translating mood into color and form
• MFA to independent practice: moving from New York Academy of Art to a Baltimore studio and global exhibitions
• “Just Say Yes” philosophy: saying yes to every opportunity—from museum shows to artist-led residencies
• Looking ahead: a new body of unified-color work and an upcoming institutional exhibition featuring her signature abstract motifs

Catch Monica Ikegwu’s first appearance on the podcast here: 

Whether you paint, draw, or simply love a great portrait, Monica’s process will give you a fresh appreciation for the craft—and maybe inspire your next creative leap. 

Photograph by Lia Latty

Host: Rob Lee
Music: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis.
Production:

• Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel Alexis
• Edited by Daniel Alexis
• Show Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and Transistor

Photos:

• Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.
• Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.

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