Meet Monet Ridenour | Artist, Photographer, Model & Creative

We had the good fortune of connecting with Monet Ridenour and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Monet, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
From a young age I have always been drawn to anything creative. I decided I was going to be an artist when I was four years old. Then when I was 7 I decided on photography as well.

I had attended Hallmark Institute of Photography later on after graduating high school. The lessons I learned while attending Hallmark I believe helped me with my career as well modeling in Denver.

I believe art is what keeps me going in life no matter what I persue. Being disabled and having non stop health issues between Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, Endometriosis, Seizures, Getting lymes disease twice, Progressive Nerve damage, and a seemingly never ending list of health issues that never seem to stop. Having my creative outlets wither it’s photography, painting, drawing, making jewelery, sewing,sculpting, modeling or whatever creative thing I desire it helps me get through all my health stuff it’s not easy and I believe it can be a beautiful outlet.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I do not have a niche. It can be good an bad. But, I desire to create!

I can be painting one minute to sewing the next an hour later I’m sculpting and making jewelery. Being disabled, I take care of my health resting as needed and the rest of my time you can usually find me creating something.

After awhile I switch it up what I’m doing to keep it interesting or simply while I wait for something to dry or cure.
It genuinely excites me when I try something new or learn how to evolve creating other things.

It hasn’t been an easy road it’s taken a lot of hard work learning about all the different skills I have aquired over the last roughly 24 years. I spent a lot of time in art classes in school and Pinterest, Google and YouTube are my best friends when I don’t know something I’ll research until I figure out what I’m trying to create.

When I Made my Not Your Average Monet Instagram it was hard for awhile to figure out a name for someone that will always find something new to create. I figured why not your average Monet cause my work is definitly no where near as magnificent as Claude Monet’s masterpieces.

What I want the world to know is. If you desire to create do it. Don’t compare yourself to others and don’t be blinded by what everyone else is doing and what is trending you’ll get sucked in and it can make art really sad. You create what you want to create. Because it simply wouldn’t have existed if not for you. That in itself is a work of art.

It’s not easy but if it’s what you desire it’s worth the fight. I am still figuring things out myself. There’s absolutely bumps along the way. My motto is one day and step at a time. That’s all anyone can do and you’ll get there eventually! Keep going!

I’m proud of my hard work and dedication I’ve put into my crafting skills. Due to my health problems it becomes overwhelming but creativity has always been there to keep my time occupied.

I’m also proud of my international exhibitions of photography.
I’m honestly proud how far I have came I will never let anyone tell me I can’t do something. Because you can. It may take time (Sometimes A LOT of time) and patience but you will get there. You never know what could happen!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would like to list all the places I enjoy. I have food allergies gluten and corn and these places have been nothing but extremely accommodating and I highly recommend.

I specifically Love Denver for the variety of foods I can enjoy unlike most places where I’m from on the East Coast.

Breakfast:
•Four Friends Kitchen
•Sam’s No. 3 Glendale
•Snooze, an A.M. Eatery

Lunch/Dinner
•The Bronze Empire – #1 Favorite Food Spot
•City O’ City (Vegetarian)
•Modern Market Eatery
•Rush Bowls
•Walter’s303 Pizzeria & Publik House – Uptown

Drinks –
•Ding Tea
•Whole Sol Blend Bar

Hangout Spots-
•Washinton Park
•Denver Zoo
•Denver Botanical Gardens
•Denver Performing Arts Complex

I would love to take my friends to all the scenic spots and drives. Even a stroll in nature alone in the fresh air take some photos and find some inspiration for creativity!

We could even head up to Morrison to Dinosaur Ridge for an adventure or the hot springs for some relaxation! There are endless possibilities to be found each day in Colorado!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to thank my grandmother Barbara Ridenour for always pushing me to try. She always told me ” you never know if you don’t try. If you don’t like something you can say you at least tried or even find something better.” This has helped me try a bunch of different things and experience more than I could have imagined as a kid.

I want to thank my friends and people important to me that have supported me along the way.

Kira, Willy-Billy, Sky, Katie, Krista, Marshall, My Lil Broski Josh, Luckey ,Nadja, Hikari and My MeetMe Stream Family and so many More.

I couldn’t do it without you all your love and support it keeps me going

My mother passed in 09 of brain cancer. She also supported my art so much. I miss her and I will always cherish those memories

The last people is the people that helped me with my service dog Malachite. Without Malachite I wouldn’t be walking I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart because he changed my life. I was able to do so much more since he’s been in my life!

All of you have made a huge impact on my life and I can’t thank you enough!

Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/NotYourAverageMonet

Instagram: instagram.com/notyouraveragemonet

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NotYourAverageMonet/

Other: https://linktr.ee/moxxiimoon Instagram @nyamphoto @moxxiimoon

Image Credits
Myself ©Monet Ridenour © NotYourAverageMonet-NYAMPhoto