Artist story
Violet Roots is the studio practice of Monika Gholson-Calaceto, an abstract painter based in Jersey City, NJ. Her work delves into memory and the tension between intuition and intention through layered acrylic paintings.
Each piece is built from layers of color, texture, and line, leaving the process visible on the painting's surface. Color carries weight. Texture holds memory. These qualities have developed over years of evolving her craft, from pencil and charcoal to acrylic, and remain at the core of every finished work.
Since early 2026, Monika has been working from her family's photo archive, using memory as both subject and structure. The figures in this series are not rendered literally. They are suggested, abstracted, and held loosely so the viewer can bring their own understanding to who or what they see. Each piece has a specific origin, rooted in her family's history and in the archive images of an African-American family. These images capture what a photograph alone cannot hold.
Music plays during every studio session and often informs the titles of finished pieces, offering a glimpse into the studio atmosphere rather than translating sound into image. The meaning remains intentionally open. The interpretation always belongs to the viewer.
Alongside paintings, Violet Roots extends into digital abstract work, silk scarves, stationery, and functional objects. Each handmade piece is transformed through a painterly perspective and created with care.
The practice is ongoing, always building.
Commission Inquiries
Commission inquiries are considered on a limited basis. Requests are reviewed with attention to scale, context, and alignment with the studio practice.
If the work resonates and the approach feels like a fit, you’re welcome to submit an inquiry below.
created with care
The studio, based in Jersey City, NJ, is grounded in community and care. While prioritizing small-scale production, intentional making, and giving back, Violet Roots pledges to donate five percent of annual sales to charitable institutions. Preference is given to organizations supporting art, culture, and community well-being.
Violet Roots is not driven by trends or seasons. The work is slow, tactile, and meant to resonate over time with the artist, viewer, and community.