About

Moni Sears (they/them) is a lifelong creator of art. As a child in New Zealand Moni first explored making masks from paper and cardboard before immigrating to the United States Midwest in 1987. Then from 1994-1997 Moni completed a Fine Art major while gleaning mask-making tips from vintage theater books and creating a variety of masks for the stage.

Photo by Mel Berry

Moni gained additional mask-making tips during summer workshops at California's Dell Arte School of Physical Theatre in 1997, and while working with artist and puppeteer Mike McCormick during the production of a short film The Phoenix, directed by Peter Ettinger in 1998.


This was followed by a puppetry internship in 1999 in Portland, Oregon with Mary Robinette Kowal and Tears of Joy Theatre (1971-2019), where Moni learned how to make large-scale paper mache creations.


Goblin Art booth at Glastonbury Faire, 2005

Following that Moni decided to remain in Portland and turn mask-making into a business: Goblin Art. Often assisted by spouse and business partner Rick Sears, between 2000 and 2015 they jointly created thousands of masks that were sold to customers around the world through galleries, fairs, art markets, and online sales.

Goblin Art masks have also been commissioned for film and television, and have been featured on book and album covers including Iron Maiden's 2003 LP record album and vinyl single Dance of Death.


Iron Maiden's Dance of Death official  LP cover art featuring  masks by Goblin Art, 2003

Between 2002 and 2014 Moni and Rick regularly traveled to the New Orleans French Quarter to sell masks at the Mardi Gras Mask Market and to parade with the Society of Saint Anne on Mardi Gras Day. That annual immersion in New Orleans parade culture has had a lasting influence on Moni's work.

At Mardi Gras in the French Quarter,
Photo by Theresa Pridemore, 2006

In 2017 Moni closed the main portion of the Goblin Art business to allow for the creation of a new project: Wildland Roots - Mythic Arts & Mummery . It started with the development of mask-making methods using natural, biodegradable and recycled materials, but it has since evolved into a collective of artists focused on place-rooted processional and ritual-arts projects including the Portland All Souls River Procession .

Echoes in Time Mask Night,
Photo by Lauren Parker Photography , 2018

The Portland All Souls River Procession began during the Pandemic through the collaborative vision of Moni Sears, Ivy Stovall (she/her) and Mellissa Berry (she/her). It has been held each November since 2021 by the Willamette River and St Johns Bridge in Portland, and is graciously hosted by the Green Anchors Foundation. The event combines art, masks, costumes, lanterns, giant puppets and group participation into a powerful community ritual to honor the souls who have left us during the previous year.

Portland All Souls River Procession,
Photo by Anna Androsova, 2023

Moni continues to explore new creative ideas using a combination of both modern and natural techniques and materials. and now offers in-person mask-making classes to folks in the Portland area.

Portland Mardi Gras Parade,
Photo by Mel Berry, 2024