Traveling among the tabby ruins and the tidal marshes on the southeastern coast, I have a hunch that this is a place where the sky rubs with the earth. Water rises and falls by the moon and sun in beds of mud, swamp and grasses. This habitat of movement is layered with slithering, swimming and flying. Motion repeats within shadows and reflections, asking me to celebrate with pigment and marks. Using soft pastels like a patina, I pace from light to dark, incising lines, marking in roots, atmosphere and rhythms that bond land to water, on thick, hard, absorbent paper. The dance is not to be taken lightly for its movement fuels the precious nursery of our ocean.

Lakes were built by my father as we moved from farm to farm in rural Virginia.

Impressions of these wetlands and their inhabitants and mountains later became pastel paintings as well sculptures, primarily made of leather, clay and/or metal, shaped, cast, welded and fabricated.

My studio is in a rural setting, which allows me to support the genetic biodiversity of a couple of poultry lines. The flocks are endangered Cubalayas and Aseels, chosen for their comical spirit, foraging nature, generous egg production and bug control. They also serve as art models for a series of bronze sculptures and cast silver and copper brooches.

My degrees are a BA in painting from East Carolina University, an MA in ceramics from Instituto Allende in Guanajuato, Mexico, and a PhD in sculpture and studio art from North Texas University.

My paintings and sculptures have been exhibited locally and internationally in invitational, group and juried exhibitions, and some are in collections.

Recent art awards are from the 2008 Wichita Center Pastel National Exhibit and the Pastel Society of New Mexico National Exhibit

Email: art.montague@gmail.com

©2009 The Studio Group