who is monatheraven?

Young woman with long dark hair, wearing a black top, posing against a neutral background with colorful lighting.

Mona Lee Ray is an author and multi-medium artist who moves between brushstrokes and back alleys. Her work lives where the street meets the page — gritty and unpolished, but stitched with lyricism and myth.

A mother of three, she folds the chaos of real life into the worlds she builds on canvas and paper, turning memory, grief, and imagination into something that breathes. She’s known not just for her stories and artwork, but for the way she mentors others — pulling creatives and misfits back to their discipline, their fire, and the parts of themselves they thought they had to bury.

This is her corner of the internet where resilience gets remixed into art, and where transformation feels less like a slogan and more like survival made beautiful.

Press

CanvasRebel Magazine Interview:

https://canvasrebel.com/meet-mona-lee-ray/

Women We’ve Been Waiting For | YouTube Video Interview with Alix Lebec:

https://youtu.be/e4wr66Jyglg?feature=shared

Finding Her Courage Podcast Episode:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0BLpeNuTxCNaGkYAmPxkGi?si=78_TPsuYQKmQzdXUID8Xbw

gallery of works

writing / illustrated covers

A colorful illustrated book cover showing a person sitting on a rock overlooking a scenic view with a vibrant sky. The person is wearing a hoodie and holding their head, with music notes around them. A drink and a book are beside them. The background includes a lamppost, palm tree, and a building labeled 'The Fisherman's Wharf.' The title 'Norah Wolfe Has Gone Insane' is prominently displayed at the top, with 'by Mona Ray' at the bottom.
Book cover featuring a side profile of a woman with dark hair and red highlights, with the title "Rhythm & Ruin" and author "M. L. Ray" in bold, stylized white text on a dark textured background.

film & photography

Performance artist covered in paint dancing in front of abstract paintings in a gallery, with paint-covered papers on the floor.
Person in black "muse" shirt standing with hands in pockets in front of a pink house and parked white car.
A person with long curly hair relaxing under a hanging blanket or curtain, smoking a cigarette, with visible smoke around their face, indoors near a window with blinds.
Person with short hair and freckles looking upwards, wearing a black outfit, against a purple and white background.
Two women wearing illuminated outfits with glowing LED lights inside a dimly lit room with purple lighting.
Chef leaning on counter in restaurant kitchen with stacks of plates.
Woman in denim jacket with "SR" patch and "I Love New York" pin, wearing a black choker and a watch, posing indoors.
Person in mid-air jumping from a bed outdoors near water and lush greenery, wearing sunglasses, a floral shirt, beige pants, a hat, and sneakers.
Silhouette of a couple embracing at night with city buildings in the background.
Two people standing close under warm orange lighting, with a neon sign partially visible in the background.
Person in blue hoodie sitting on a bench outside a food market at night.
Person wearing round sunglasses and a hoodie with 'muse' printed on it, leaning against a yellow bus.

art & design

A woman with tattoos sitting on grass in a park, reading a magazine, with a black tote bag featuring cartoon faces of a crying yellow moon.
An open abstract art book with swirling shades of blue, green, white, and gray. Next to it, a black tote bag with yellowish-green cartoon faces expressing various emotions, with some faces appearing sad or distressed, and others looking confused or t
A young woman with tattoos on her arms and shoulder, wearing a white T-shirt with the text 'ART SAVES LIVES' in stylized black and purple lettering, standing in front of a glass block wall, holding sunglasses on her head with her eyes closed.
Painting of a woman’s profile with closed eyes, her hair adorned with blue butterflies and flowers, on denim jacket.
Decorative painted denim jacket featuring a large eye with long lashes, colorful abstract background, and the words "What do you want" and "Break".
Decorative black denim jacket with painted vinyl records and text reading 'Just Music' and 'to seed my soul' in purple and pink colors.
A denim jacket with a colorful, artistic illustration of a woman with green hair, multiple facial piercings, and an additional eye on her forehead, painted on the back.
Back of a denim jacket with graphic artwork of a woman holding a sword and another woman with long hair, set against a red circle background and surrounded by text.
Person wearing a black denim vest with colorful butterfly and flower embroidery across the front.
A person wearing a denim jacket with an embroidered design of a mermaid and a snake on the back.
Two white graphic T-shirts with black and blue designs. The front of the first T-shirt has a floral tattoo style design with a banner that reads "YOU WELT MY OX." The back of the second T-shirt features a detailed, stylized illustration of a woman wi
A woman in a black sweatshirt and blue jeans is peeling off her shirt, revealing a painted body as she interacts with a person whose body is also painted in an abstract design.
A white T-shirt with a graphic illustration of a cartoon girl with large pink hair, tattoos, and multiple eyes, holding a skull with green details.
Black tote bag with a colorful illustration of a woman with green hair, a third eye on her forehead, and earrings, hanging on a wooden hook on a white wall.
A thank you card and sticker with stylized black text on bright green paper, a green box with black text, a black marker pen, and a logo or badge with similar stylized black text on a white background.
A woman with long dark hair and tattoos on her arm is smiling and holding a colorful painting of a woman with blue hair at sunset, with a brick wall in the background.
Hand holding a phone case with a design of multiple blue abstract faces outlined in black, set against a background of fairy lights and a gray wall.
A woman with tattoos sitting on a patterned rug, painting on a piece of fabric or canvas spread out on the floor, with art supplies and a colorful painted palette nearby.
Person wearing a black jacket with a graphic of yellow hands surrounded by blue lines on the back, holding a blue book titled 'The Holographic Universe' by Michael Talbot, with long black hair and multiple rings on fingers.
Illustration of two characters sitting on a glowing whale-shaped platform floating in water at night, with starry sky in the background.
Black denim jacket with white chalk sketches of cowgirls holding lasso ropes painted on the front, with some patches of tape and buttons attached.
Close-up of a woman wearing a gray striped shirt with a graphic of multiple faces, black shorts with a ripped thigh revealing a tattoo, and holding a magazine or book. She has painted nails and multiple rings on her fingers.
Close-up of a person wearing a gray striped shirt with a black embroidered skull and chain design. The person's hand is holding a book or notepad, and part of a tattoo is visible on their forearm.
Person holding a large dark gray fabric tote bag with artistic butterfly and hands design on the front, wearing a brown sweater, standing outdoors.
Close-up of a person wearing a white T-shirt with abstract black and red line art depicting faces and lips, paired with denim shorts, holding a book, and wearing a gold necklace with a circular pendant.
Person wearing a black leather jacket with white embroidered skeleton and animal designs, holding a manga comic book covering their face, standing indoors.
A t-shirt on a table with a chalk outline drawing of a pizza slice and a smiling face, surrounded by stars and sparkles, indicating a pizza-themed design in progress. Various art supplies and drinks are also on the table.
A young woman with long dark hair, tattoos, and piercings is standing outdoors near a white column and lush green bushes. She is wearing a light-colored jacket and holding a booklet titled 'The Wisdom Of Near-Death Experiences'.
A cardboard box containing crumpled wrapping paper with black handwritten text and a greeting card with green abstract art and the message "Thank you!"
Two cardboard boxes with printed logos, one on top of the other, on a cluttered table. The top box has a logo with stylized black lines and the text 'CAFÉ', and the bottom box has a handwritten-style text that says 'BY Alma del'. There are pens and a
A woman with glasses and long dark hair, smiling with eyes closed, sitting at a cluttered table with pens, papers, and a small roll of tape. She has a tattoo on her right arm and is touching her face with her right hand. There are two large pink boxe
A white t-shirt with a pocket featuring a black and white pattern of multiple cartoonish faces, hanging on a clothing rack next to a Guy Fawkes mask, against a brick wall. Handwritten tags label the items.
A person wearing a denim jacket with a colorful embroidered design of two hugging figures, one with a blue, galaxy-like pattern and the other with a swirling blue design, sitting on a stone ledge overlooking a peaceful lake at sunset.
Two framed comic book-style illustrations with a stack of books underneath, with a potted plant beside them.
A colorful painting of a woman with long dark hair, crying blue tears, wearing eye makeup, with a purple background behind her and yellow stars surrounding her head.
Book cover featuring purple and pink hues with a neon-style illustration of a woman sitting on a rock, holding a drink, in a dreamy night scene near a lighthouse and a bookshop. Title: 'Norah Wolfe Has Gone Insane.'
A woman with tattoos on her arm holds a sculpting tool, carving a detailed clay sculpture of a face on a wooden work surface with sculpting tools nearby.
Tattoo of a balloon with a human face, closed eyes with shaded eyelids, full lips, and a crown-like shape on the forehead, on skin.
A beige clutch bag with a pattern of stylized blue faces with black facial features.
A person holding a pink illustration board with multiple faces and long hair, with a room illuminated in pink light in the background.
A collection of crumpled pink and purple paper notes with handwritten black text. The central note reads "Create No Matter What."
A colorful painting of a woman with purple skin, closed eyes, and long eyelashes. She has green, swirling hair with white outlines. The background is dark blue with golden specks, resembling stars.
A tote bag with an illustration of a woman with light blue, swirling hair, purple skin, and closed eyes. The words "I Stark Loved" are written across her nose, and she has earrings and makeup. The background of the bag is dark blue.
A cartoon girl with long pink hair, purple eyes, and cat ears wearing a gray sweatshirt and shorts, holding a game controller. She has a speech bubble with Japanese characters and a background with pink and purple polka dots.
Two girls in gray hoodies with cat ears and 'FIEHNY' and 'DWIINE' written on the sleeves, making peace signs, surrounded by sparkles.
A colorful painting on a canvas with the phrase 'When Legend Shows... Saint That Shit' in bold, white lettering. The artwork features three stylized faces with soulful expressions, surrounded by decorative elements. The canvas is decorated with small
Tattoo of a hummingbird drinking nectar from a red flower, surrounded by leaves, on a person's upper arm and shoulder.
A carved stone face with closed eyes, a large gemstone on the forehead, surrounded by flowers, stones, and crystals.
Pink book cover with black line art illustration of a woman with long wavy hair, wearing a loose shirt, and holding her arms crossed. Title reads "Norah Wolfe has gone insane," with the author's name, Mona Ray, and a brief biography of Norah Wolfe, a
Colorful tattoo design of a phoenix with outstretched wings, surrounded by pink lotus flowers and small star-like sparks on a white background.
A young woman with dark hair in a bun, wearing a blue and white striped shirt, lying on the ground against a brick wall with multiple sketches of eyes and faces on paper around her. She is smoking a cigarette with her eyes closed.
Book cover titled 'Python & Pruin' by M. I. Ray, featuring a side profile of a woman with dark hair, dark makeup, and a colorful, iridescent shoulder against a dark textured background.
A colorful illustration of a girl with purple braids, heavy eye makeup, and jewelry, set against a yellow circular background.
Colorful illustration of a woman with purple skin and turquoise hair, wearing a yellow hoodie, with tattoos on her neck and face, including the word "ART" on her neck, and makeup with pink lips and eye makeup.
Street art mural of a woman's face with blue curly hair, green skin, long eyelashes, pink lips, and the phrase 'MOTHER' written across her forehead.
A colorful pop art style illustration of a green-skinned woman with blue curly hair smoking, with a speech bubble that says 'Thx 4 the stogie.' The background is yellow with red and green halftone patterns and abstract black lines.
Digital illustration of a stylized, blue-skinned person with a shaved head, closed eyes, earrings, a nose ring, and a cigar in their mouth, against a pink background with white brush strokes. The person has a speech bubble that says "Just Cene."

music visuals / film direction / movement

competing/teaching/dancing

A person sleeps in a bathtub filled with water, illuminated by blue light, with a woman’s face visible in the water and a person’s hands reaching towards a starry sky, giving a surreal and dreamy atmosphere.

contact

Have a creative project in mind? Whether that’s in front, or behind the camera, I’m always up to create & collaborate.

Whether it’s a music video, film production, live event, or something uniquely yours—I'm open to modeling, filming, directing, or acting, or assisting with your vision. If you think I’d be a good fit for your project, please leave your inquiry here, and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.