Spotlight on River Basin muralist Monika Urbanski
Mural #43 at the river basin next to Luminary Hotel depicts Thomas Edison and his son, Charles, posing with their catches on the Edison Pier. It was rendered by local artist Monika Urbanski.
Urbanski is known for oil and acrylic paintings that capture the allure of the water. Monika often utilizes reclaimed live edge wood as a substrate to further connect to our local environment.
Born in Torun, Poland and living in New England and Southwest Florida, Monika’s art has always been heavily influenced by her love of the ocean and environment. She studied painting and printmaking at Boston 
University, graduating with a BFA in 2005. She received her MFA in Art Therapy with an emphasis in Counseling from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College in 2016. Monika currently works as a Registered Art Therapist and Licensed Mental Health Counselor.
Monika is also the owner and resident artist of The Reel Chase. Founded in 2015, The Reel Chase, LLC came creates, markets and sells distinctive fine art and performance sun-protective apparel line which features local marine life, notably tarpon, as tarpon fishing holds a strong connection to the history and appeal of Southwest Florida and Fort Myers, FL in the 1800s and beyond.
You can find more about Monika and The Reel Chase at www.thereelchase.com and on Instagram @thereelchase.com.
July 31, 2023.
About the Author
Tom Hall is both an amateur artist and aspiring novelist who writes art quest thrillers. He is in the final stages of completing his debut novel titled "Art Detective," a story that fictionalizes the discovery of the fabled billion-dollar Impressionist collection of Parisian art dealer Josse Bernheim-Jeune, thought by many to have perished during World War II when the collection's hiding place, Castle de Rastignac in southern France, was destroyed by the Wehrmacht in reprisal for attacks made by members of the Resistance operating in the area. A former tax attorney, Tom holds a bachelor's degree as well as both a juris doctorate and masters of laws in taxation from the University of Florida. Tom lives in Estero, Florida with his fiancee, Connie, and their four cats.