Meet Monica Salazar | Poet and Artist

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

Hi Monica, why did you pursue a creative career?
Ever since I was a little girl I always had a journal. The first journal my mother gave to me she wrote, “One day I will see your writing published. really believe in you.” I wrote my heart out in that journal filling it with poetry, stories, daily interactions, heartbreaks and have filled many journals since. I always knew I wanted to be a writer of some sort.

During the pandemic of 2020, I found comfort in poetry. It was a time to look inward amongst the collective pain we were all facing. I felt like there was more I could do to heal myself and others during this time. I recalled the memory and time when my mother wrote me a personal poem from the hospital when she was recovering from cancer surgery. She wrote me the most beautiful custom poem that heals my heart to this day. I realized that I could do the same for others. I created an instagram page and from there I asked my audience if they wanted custom digital poetry. They would send me a couple words and I would create a poem for them. I saw how much people needed words of encouragement and reassurance. It was beautiful to watch my community evolve since the pandemic. I now write my poems from a vintage Royal typewriter and work many different type of events all across Los Angeles, from weddings to concerts. I love what I do and the freedom and opportunity it allows me to have. I have worked with various organizations and business like LATINAFest, The Goddess Mercado, and Persona the Shop. Working with and amongst my Latin community has been enriching to say the least – we need words of comfort and love. I am currently working on a poetry book with Community Literature Initiative as well and look to publish it this year. The journey of an artist is not for the weak but because of that it is so rewarding and humbling.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Stepping into my journey as an artist has never been easy. As the youngest of a big Mexican- American family it is always best to play the safe, practical route of security and safety. But after working a 9-5 for 6 years and stepping more into my poetry business I began to see how this could work for me.

The past three years has been so expansive and I have learned so much. I learned the business side of things from marketing myself, social media to building a brand. I am the brand to say the least and wear all the hats at the moment. I am so grateful for the trials of not knowing what I am doing to now being so confident in my craft and skill set. There is always so much to learn and do however. I am so proud to look back on my journey and the people I have worked with. One of my biggest corporate gigs was working with We Are Bridge an organization that builds with business to create inclusivity, diversity, inclusion and equality in the work space. I was invited to work at their conference at Mandalay Beach and wrote peons for the speakers there. It was amazing to hear how we can create a better future starting with corporations that care about representation and equality. I am proud to be in service with my art that allows others to feel seen and heard through poetry. I would say this is my greatest accomplishment. I have heard so many peoples stories and heartbreaks and triumphs and written poems for them in their healing process and it has been an honor to share that space with them.

I have worked as a resident poet for the non-profit Goddess Mercado. They work with small business woman and queer folk to build their brands and cultivate community. I have also had the privilege of working with Persona the Shop and their Midcity Mercado that allows small business a space to sell their products as well. I have been apart of many successful events they have hosted and so proud to always be there for Jasmin the owner of the shop. I also love collaborating with local artist, musicians, designers and poets and just create art in these trying times. I have received a Certificate of Recognition by the United States House of Representatives from congress member Jimmy Gomez in contributing my art to my community.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
As a Los Angeles native there are many places in my city that I adore and find solace in. I would start people out in Olvera Street in downtown and have them eat at Cielito Lindo for the world famous taquitos. There we would walk through the cobblestone alley and shop at the little Mexican vendor shops and pop up’s. We would walk through grand park and eat more food at the Grand Central Market. From there I would probably take them to my favorite beach El Matador or Topanga Canyon. Topanga has a special place in my heart because I would go there as a little girl. We would eat food at one of the cafes nestled in the green Santa Monica mountains and shop at Hidden Treasures a vintage shop. There we would travel to the coast line and drive up to Malibu to El Matador beach and watch the sunset. During the night I would take them to the Victorian in Santa Monica especially if its a salsa night which happens on Thursdays only. Or we would go to East LA near Mariachi Plaza and dance to oldies at Eastside Love bar. We can grab some late night tacos at the some of the best taco trucks in the city there too.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The people and places along my journey as an artist has helped me becoming who I am. I would love to give a shoutout to The Goddess Mercado – as I am their resident poet. I also would love to shoutout the poets in my class that are also writing a book and have helped me tremendously throughout my journey, Pam Conception, Anna Rodriguez, Kiayla Ann, and Takayla Carlton all from the Community Literature Initiative created by Hiram Sims. All these people and organizations I am so happy to shoutout and show love to.

Website: Typaway.com

Instagram: @typawaypoetry