When I met Monique in 1994, her art career was already going strong.   I was just a fledgling who hadn't even considered putting my paintings in galleries or showing on the outdoor circuit.  However, Monique's enthusiasm for painting and making art her life seemed quite contagious, it wasn't long before she convinced me to show my work to gallery directors, sign up for outdoor shows, and enter juried competitions.  She took me under her wing and encouraged me to become, a full time artist.

I admire Monique for her dedication to making beautiful art as well as attending to the business aspects so necessary to the success of a full time artist.  Although she is passionate about painting, she has to deal with a tendency to procrastinate (as do most artists).  Nevertheless, she's a prolific painter who follows a self-developed work schedule that has resulted in her producing and selling over 300 oil paintings annually!
- Lori W. Simons

NOTE: Lori W. Simons is a New Hampshire based portrait artist and freelance writer.  She graduated with a BFA, in art education from the University of Arizona.  Her work may be seen at The Art Experience Gallery in Bedford, New Hampshire; and on the Internet at: www.brilor.com/lwsimons.

About the Artist

Monique Sakellarios studied at the Leonardo Da Vinci School of Art, and the American University, both in Cairo, Egypt.  Her oil paintings have received numerous national awards and have been accepted into national juried shows sponsored by The Oil Painters of America, The National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society, The Catherine Lorillard-Wolf Art Club, and The Cider Painters of America, among others.   She is a juried member of the New Hampshire Art Association, and a Signature Member of the National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society.  Her work may be seen on the internet at www.brilor.com/sakellarios and at galleries throughout the US, including: The Powers Gallery, Acton, Massachusetts; Pierce Gallery, Portsmouth, New Hampshire; Gallery on the Green, Woodstock, Vermont; Schaff Gallery, Cincinnati, Ohio; Churchill Gallery, Newburyport, Massachusetts; D.E. Craghead Fine Art, Carmel, California; and McGrath Dunham Gallery, Castine, Maine.