Meet Erika Monyè

We recently connected with Erika Monyè and have shared our conversation below.

Erika, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

Imposter syndrome has been both a shadow and a mirror throughout my journey as an artist. It whispers behind every post, every brushstroke, every moment of sharing something raw and personal with the world. And as someone who feels deeply and aches for beauty and truth, it’s been even harder to exist in a world that often seems to reward detachment over depth.

There have been days when I’ve stared at something I created and asked myself, “Who am I to call this art?” Days where the world felt too loud, too harsh, too quick to dismiss softness as weakness. In those moments, imposter syndrome didn’t just question my work—it questioned my being.

But here’s the truth: I keep showing up. Not because the doubt disappears, but because the why behind my art always burns brighter.

What saves me, again and again, is connection. Not external validation, but internal communion—with my art, with the feelings it brings forth, and with the people I imagine reaching. When I create, I enter another world—an ethereal, dreamlike space where emotion is a language and color is a vessel. My goal is never perfection. It’s to move someone. To offer them a moment of stillness, of wonder, of seeing themselves reflected in something abstract yet familiar. Whether it’s through vivid watercolor portals, cosmic acrylic canvas pieces, ancestral ink linework or abstract digital work, I create not to prove, but to transmit.

Imposter syndrome still rides shotgun some days. It pipes up before I hit “post,” or when I’m preparing a collection or stepping into a new opportunity. But I’ve learned not to let it steer. I remind myself that being sensitive isn’t a flaw—it’s the source of my magic. In a world that often turns its back on softness, choosing to feel is an act of defiance. Choosing to share what you’ve felt? That’s liberation.

So no, it’s not a finished journey. It’s a relationship—ongoing, layered, complicated. But every time I let the art lead, every time I let intuition guide my hands and my heart, I take back a piece of power. And in doing so, I hope to light the way for someone else who feels like a stranger in their brilliance.

If I can make someone pause… feel… wonder… escape… then the fear was worth it—every time.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

Sharing My World: Art, Intention, and Expanding Universes

At my core, I’m a multidimensional artist with a passion for creating portals—whether that’s through vivid abstract watercolor, dreamy digital design, or functional pieces that carry a sense of wonder into everyday life. I’m the founder of Emye Design Co. (EDC), a brand rooted in expression, healing, and imaginative immersion. My work blends cosmic color, texture, symbolism, and a bit of surrealism to offer an escape or moment of reflection in a fast-paced world. It’s not just about art—it’s about energy, emotion, and experience.

Right now, I’m embracing some really exciting new avenues. Through my Threadless store, I’ve begun a bold and fun journey into wearable and functional art. You’ll find my designs on tees, hoodies, tanks, rugs, shower curtains, blankets, and more—it’s like dressing your space and your body in a piece of a dream. It’s surreal to see my artwork transform into pieces people can live with and feel surrounded by.

On Etsy, I continue to offer fine art prints, handmade creations, and spiritual designs that speak to those on their journey of identity, healing, and inspiration. Whether you’re drawn to color therapy or seeking something sacred for your space, my shop is a little sanctuary of expression.

This July, I’ll be at Ink the Bay Tattoo Fest (July 24–27) as a vendor and featured artist, debuting a series of custom-designed skateboards that blend my abstract, psychedelic aesthetic with street culture edge. It’s a wild and welcome challenge—and I’m loving every second of it.

If you’re in New York, you can even catch a piece of my universe through the Mystry Mart vending machine at the Brooklyn Museum of Art, where a selection of my small-format works is stocked among other emerging creators. Or visit the Creative Liberties Art Gallery in Sarasota, Florida, where my work hangs alongside a beautiful local community of artists.

Behind the scenes, I’m also diving deep into new product drops and concept lines for EDC – collections that explore themes like Psychedelic Luxe and Boho Mystic, where form meets frequency. Think bold colors, soft textures, magical symbolism, and intentional design for the inner and outer worlds we inhabit.

And as Creative Director and co-founder of HueMind, a community-rooted nonprofit, I’m passionate about expanding access to creativity as a tool for healing, empowerment, and transformation. We’re building out new arts programming, classes, and events that uplift underrepresented voices and give people—especially neurodivergent youth and adults—a place to create, be seen, and thrive.

More than anything, I want my art and creative offerings to serve as doorways for emotion, escape, identity, and inspiration. Whether you’re wearing it, walking on it, or encountering it on a gallery wall or vending machine shelf, I want it to move you in some way.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Three Traits That Shaped My Artistic Journey

Looking back, I can confidently say that three key qualities have deeply shaped not just my art, but the way I move through the world as a creator:

1. Adaptability

Life isn’t linear, and neither is the creative process. Being adaptable has helped me not only navigate different personal and professional challenges but also allowed me to evolve my art without fear. Whether I’m shifting between watercolor, digital design, sculpture, or apparel graphics, I try to meet each moment with openness and curiosity. This flexibility has made me a better artist and a more grounded person.

2. A Deep Curiosity About the World and Human Nature

I’ve always been driven by a desire to understand people, systems, cultures, emotions, and histories. That yearning informs my work. I’m fascinated by our roles in the universe, our connections to one another, and the stories we carry. This need to observe and reflect finds its way into every color palette and composition I create. Art, to me, is a form of inquiry as much as it is expression.

3. Resilience and Perseverance

My journey hasn’t been without hardship, setbacks, or seasons of doubt. But what keeps me going is this unshakable will to create—even when the path is unclear. Art has been my anchor, my compass, and my resistance. Resilience doesn’t mean pushing through pain without pause—it means choosing to return to your truth, again and again.

My Advice to Emerging Artists?

Don’t put yourself in a box.
Explore every corner of your creativity. You’re not limited to one style, one medium, or one identity as an artist. Personally, I switch up my materials and techniques every few weeks or months—partly to stay inspired, but also to challenge myself and prevent stagnation. Every new exploration is a doorway to discovering something new about your voice, your vision, and your potential.

Stay curious, stay fluid, and stay kind to yourself along the way. Growth doesn’t always look like a straight line, and that’s okay. The important thing is to keep moving, keep making, and keep showing up.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

Absolutely—I’m always looking to partner with fellow creatives, makers, and dreamers. I’m open to collaborations across nearly all artistic realms, whether it’s a one-of-a-kind art piece, sculpture, design work, functional art, jewelry, market installations, or events. If it’s imaginative, meaningful, or just plain fun, I’m interested.

I love working with people who bring unique energy, vision, or ideas to the table—whether your project is well-planned or still a seedling, let’s explore what we can build together.

If you’re reading this and feel inspired to connect, reach out! You can find me on Instagram at @emye.theartist or email me directly at emyedesignco@gmail.com. Let’s make some magic.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/emyetheartist
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emye.theartist?igsh=aTR4N2hoZnZrY25u&utm_source=qr
• Other: Threadless Shop: https://emyedesignco.threadless.com/

Image Credits

Erika Monyè/emye.theartist